Motorists running red lights

[Brendan von Buckingham]

The faster we go slow the faster we go fast.

[consularrider]

Right turn on red in Kyiv does not include the concept of stopping first, even when there is cross traffic. Ok, maybe a slight exaggeration …

[GovernorSilver]

OTOH, we’re still in the top 5 worst driver cities list maintained by Allstate Insurance:
https://www.allstate.com/tools-and-resources/americas-best-drivers.aspx

DC drivers are a versatile bunch. We have an endless repertoire of techniques for getting into accidents without running red lights.

The top 5 are rounded out by 1 city in RI and… wait for it… 3 from MA.

[dplasters]

Oh motorists running red lights! Its like my favorite, because its more dangerous in every way than a cyclists running a red light and happens more frequently (hunch), but we don’t talk about it as a society.

We seem to perceive coming no where close to stopping on right on red or squeezing through that light as it turns red at not actually counting as “running the light”. Bias and the human mind make for some amazing belief combinations.

[Steve O]

@dplasters 121931 wrote:

Oh motorists running red lights! Its like my favorite, because its more dangerous in every way than a cyclists running a red light and happens more frequently (hunch), but we don’t talk about it as a society.

We seem to perceive coming no where close to stopping on right on red or squeezing through that light as it turns red at not actually counting as “running the light”. Bias and the human mind make for some amazing belief combinations.

This article sheds some light on the bias you point out.

[jabberwocky]

The “right on red at speed” is something I’ve observed as a longtime issue, and I’ve had many close calls over the years because of it. I warn new riders to always be careful in crosswalks at intersections, because its very common for right turning motorists to only look left as they approach a red light, and if its clear of cars to gun it and go without ever looking right. I’ve had many situations where I was crossing with right of way in a crosswalk and was almost struck by a car in those situations (either I was to the left and they just didn’t notice me because they were focused on cars in the traffic lane, or I was on the right and they never even looked that direction).

[Terpfan]

@jabberwocky 121938 wrote:

The “right on red at speed” is something I’ve observed as a longtime issue, and I’ve had many close calls over the years because of it. I warn new riders to always be careful in crosswalks at intersections, because its very common for right turning motorists to only look left as they approach a red light, and if its clear of cars to gun it and go without ever looking right. I’ve had many situations where I was crossing with right of way in a crosswalk and was almost struck by a car in those situations (either I was to the left and they just didn’t notice me because they were focused on cars in the traffic lane, or I was on the right and they never even looked that direction).

Ditto on the close calls. It’s part of what originally got me into riding on the streets whenever possible. And your whole point is basically my explanation when people whine about cyclists on the street.

[Author]

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