Why do people run red lights?

[compassion 4 humanity]

I had a rough day yesterday. I was on my way to the gas station and stop at the red light outside of my neighborhood. The light later turns green, and as usual I wait a couple of seconds in the event of a red light runner. One person did end up running the red light. Since my light had been green for about three or four seconds and the red light runner passed, I judge that it's safe to go. I subsequently take off, then clash! My airbags go off and I'm in shock. I apparently t-boned someone who ran the red light even more egregiously.

A witness who called police helps me out of my car. Fortunately there weren't any serious injuries, since I had been going no more than 5 or 6 miles per hour. But my car was totaled. The red light runner, who was a 17-year-old driving home from school, approaches me and apologizes for causing the wreck. When he talks to police, though, he lies and tells them he couldn't tell what color the light was. My witness gives a testimony to police and says our light had clearly been green, so there shouldn't be any problems collecting insurance money due to the reckless driver's dishonestly.

Now I have no vehicle and won't be able to go anywhere until the insurance company pays for a rental car. But I should be okay. At least I didn't break my legs, right?

This whole experience has me thinking. What motivates people to run red lights? Personally, I always stop at red lights and drive 3 or 4 MPH within the speed limit. People may say they're in a hurry, but how much of a hurry do you have to be in when you're only driving home from school and put other people at risk for serious injury or even death?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

There is only one two-word term that accurately describes these people, and I can't post it (forum rules).

 

[tampasteve]

Mostly negligence of not paying attention that the light is actually red. Sometimes it's distracted driving while texting, eating, reading a book or paper, sleeping.....all things I have seen. Sometimes something as simple as sneezing when getting close and truly not seeing that it changed. Maybe a medical emergency. Sometimes it is just complete disregard for others.

 

[TerryWoodenpic]

I had a rough day yesterday. I was on my way to the gas station and stop at the red light outside of my neighborhood. The light later turns green, and as usual I wait a couple of seconds in the event of a red light runner. One person did end up running the red light. Since my light had been green for about three or four seconds and the red light runner passed, I judge that it's safe to go. I subsequently take off, then clash! My airbags go off and I'm in shock. I apparently t-boned someone who ran the red light even more egregiously.

A witness who called police helps me out of my car. Fortunately there weren't any serious injuries, since I had been going no more than 5 or 6 miles per hour. But my car was totaled. The red light runner, who was a 17-year-old driving home from school, approaches me and apologizes for causing the wreck. When he talks to police, though, he lies and tells them he couldn't tell what color the light was. My witness gives a testimony to police and says our light had clearly been green, so there shouldn't be any problems collecting insurance money due to the reckless driver's dishonestly.

Now I have no vehicle and won't be able to go anywhere until the insurance company pays for a rental car. But I should be okay. At least I didn't break my legs, right?

This whole experience has me thinking. What motivates people to run red lights? Personally, I always stop at red lights and drive 3 or 4 MPH within the speed limit. People may say they're in a hurry, but how much of a hurry do you have to be in when you're only driving home from school and put other people at risk for serious injury or even death?

At least it was before you filled with gas not after.
You are extremely lucky not to have been injured.
In the UK most people seem to sue anyway for fictional injuries.
But you should have a check up.

Motor accidents is the one time that the NHS does charge for its services, though it is the Guilty party or their insurance that pays the bill.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

I had a rough day yesterday. I was on my way to the gas station and stop at the red light outside of my neighborhood. The light later turns green, and as usual I wait a couple of seconds in the event of a red light runner. One person did end up running the red light. Since my light had been green for about three or four seconds and the red light runner passed, I judge that it's safe to go. I subsequently take off, then clash! My airbags go off and I'm in shock. I apparently t-boned someone who ran the red light even more egregiously.

A witness who called police helps me out of my car. Fortunately there weren't any serious injuries, since I had been going no more than 5 or 6 miles per hour. But my car was totaled. The red light runner, who was a 17-year-old driving home from school, approaches me and apologizes for causing the wreck. When he talks to police, though, he lies and tells them he couldn't tell what color the light was. My witness gives a testimony to police and says our light had clearly been green, so there shouldn't be any problems collecting insurance money due to the reckless driver's dishonestly.

Now I have no vehicle and won't be able to go anywhere until the insurance company pays for a rental car. But I should be okay. At least I didn't break my legs, right?

This whole experience has me thinking. What motivates people to run red lights? Personally, I always stop at red lights and drive 3 or 4 MPH within the speed limit. People may say they're in a hurry, but how much of a hurry do you have to be in when you're only driving home from school and put other people at risk for serious injury or even death?

We live in a generation that does not want to take responsibility for anything. Why that is, I don't know.I think t may have something to do with not wanting to repent, like the rich young ruler in scripture. The same happens when people try to beat the train at a railroad crossing. It is silly, but people do it all the time.

 

[redleghunter]

I had a rough day yesterday. I was on my way to the gas station and stop at the red light outside of my neighborhood. The light later turns green, and as usual I wait a couple of seconds in the event of a red light runner. One person did end up running the red light. Since my light had been green for about three or four seconds and the red light runner passed, I judge that it's safe to go. I subsequently take off, then clash! My airbags go off and I'm in shock. I apparently t-boned someone who ran the red light even more egregiously.

A witness who called police helps me out of my car. Fortunately there weren't any serious injuries, since I had been going no more than 5 or 6 miles per hour. But my car was totaled. The red light runner, who was a 17-year-old driving home from school, approaches me and apologizes for causing the wreck. When he talks to police, though, he lies and tells them he couldn't tell what color the light was. My witness gives a testimony to police and says our light had clearly been green, so there shouldn't be any problems collecting insurance money due to the reckless driver's dishonestly.

Now I have no vehicle and won't be able to go anywhere until the insurance company pays for a rental car. But I should be okay. At least I didn't break my legs, right?

This whole experience has me thinking. What motivates people to run red lights? Personally, I always stop at red lights and drive 3 or 4 MPH within the speed limit. People may say they're in a hurry, but how much of a hurry do you have to be in when you're only driving home from school and put other people at risk for serious injury or even death?

First Praise be to God you were not injured nor anyone else in this collision. Also praying the insurance and rental details work out in a timely manner.

Why do people run red lights? Number one reason is usually distracted drivers. The next most likely reason is being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Then of course you have your impatient scofflaws to deal with too.

 

[Travelers.Soul]

I have run a few red lights in the past. Once I ran the light because I was behind a semi and could not see or tell that the green light had turned red. It had turned red while the semi was half way through the intersection so I didn't see that it had turned until I was out in the intersection. Once I technically ran one because I was in a turning lane that had to yield to on coming traffic and I was out in the intersection while it changed; at that point I either had to sit there blocking traffic or "run the light". Thankfully the other drivers saw my situation and allowed me to get out of the way. The last time I ran a light was because the light changed quickly and when I tried to stop I couldn't. I slammed on my breaks but still ended up "running the red light."

Some people run a light due to their own stupidity or poor thinking, others because they "own the road" and won't be inconvenienced ...unfortunately the reasons for running a light varies from person to person. I don't claim I did the right thing by running any of the lights I have in the past but I was just sharing those reasons because I have ridden with or seen others do similar things. I hate to hear that you were in an accident but Praise God you were unharmed and shame on that kid for lying. Thankfully you had a witness.

 

[A_Thinker]

I had a rough day yesterday. I was on my way to the gas station and stop at the red light outside of my neighborhood. The light later turns green, and as usual I wait a couple of seconds in the event of a red light runner. One person did end up running the red light. Since my light had been green for about three or four seconds and the red light runner passed, I judge that it's safe to go. I subsequently take off, then clash! My airbags go off and I'm in shock. I apparently t-boned someone who ran the red light even more egregiously.

A witness who called police helps me out of my car. Fortunately there weren't any serious injuries, since I had been going no more than 5 or 6 miles per hour. But my car was totaled. The red light runner, who was a 17-year-old driving home from school, approaches me and apologizes for causing the wreck. When he talks to police, though, he lies and tells them he couldn't tell what color the light was. My witness gives a testimony to police and says our light had clearly been green, so there shouldn't be any problems collecting insurance money due to the reckless driver's dishonestly.

Now I have no vehicle and won't be able to go anywhere until the insurance company pays for a rental car. But I should be okay. At least I didn't break my legs, right?

This whole experience has me thinking. What motivates people to run red lights? Personally, I always stop at red lights and drive 3 or 4 MPH within the speed limit. People may say they're in a hurry, but how much of a hurry do you have to be in when you're only driving home from school and put other people at risk for serious injury or even death?

More self-centeredness ... less consideration for everybody else. And despite the claims of distractedness, ... I have seen multiple drivers follow each other through red lights.

I am so sorry that you went through this ... thankfully you were not personally injured.

Praying for your restoration ...

 

[FireDragon76]

Sometimes they don't approach intersections preparing to stop, if need be. They act like a yellow light is merely a suggestion.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

First Praise be to God you were not injured nor anyone else in this collision. Also praying the insurance and rental details work out in a timely manner.

Why do people run red lights? Number one reason is usually distracted drivers. The next most likely reason is being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Then of course you have your impatient scofflaws to deal with too.

Most of the red light runners I see are accelerating to beat the light. They are not distracted, sleeping, or under the influence of anything other than their me-first attitudes. They are stupid ,dangerous, jerks.

 

[compassion 4 humanity]

Most of the red light runners I see are accelerating to beat the light. They are not distracted, sleeping, or under the influence of anything other than their me-first attitudes. They are stupid ,dangerous, jerks.

That is my feeling as well. It seems like red light runners are self-centered and feel like the traffic laws don't apply to them.

In all fairness, some people may run red lights by accident. But this generally seems to be the exception and not the rule.

 

[compassion 4 humanity]

At least it was before you filled with gas not after.
You are extremely lucky not to have been injured.
In the UK most people seem to sue anyway for fictional injuries.
But you should have a check up.

Motor accidents is the one time that the NHS does charge for its services, though it is the Guilty party or their insurance that pays the bill.

Lawsuit abuse is a terrible thing. My uncle owns a plumbing business. One day, a woman crashed into one of his work trucks. She had a child with her. Even though she was at fault, she sued my uncle's business nonetheless because her child was apparently so traumatized by the event that he became some sort of invalid who was disabled by anxiety. My uncle fought the law suit and hired a private investigator to take photographs of her child playing, going to school, and acting like a normal kid. Her lawsuit was a huge fail, but it still cost a lot of money and heartache to fight it.

I'm angry that the kid who totaled my car didn't fess up to police that he ran the red light. He knows he lied. But a lawsuit won't be necessary because I had a witness who gave a police report stating that my light was clearly green.

 

[JackRT]

We live in a generation that does not want to take responsibility for anything. Why that is, I don't know.I think t may have something to do with not wanting to repent, like the rich young ruler in scripture. The same happens when people try to beat the train at a railroad crossing. It is silly, but people do it all the time.

I don't think that our younger generation today is any worse than at any other time in history. It is the same in every generation --- the older casts a jaundiced eye at the younger.

Socrates (died 399BC) wrote --- "Our youth now love luxury, they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders, and love to chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their household. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up their food and tyrannize their teachers."

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

I don't think that our younger generation today is any worse than at any other time in history. It is the same in every generation --- the older casts a jaundiced eye at the younger.

Socrates (died 399BC) wrote --- "Our youth now love luxury, they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders, and love to chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their household. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up their food and tyrannize their teachers."

Socrates is telling the truth, but today, truth on steroids.

 

[A_Thinker]

I don't think that our younger generation today is any worse than at any other time in history. It is the same in every generation --- the older casts a jaundiced eye at the younger.

Socrates (died 399BC) wrote --- "Our youth now love luxury, they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders, and love to chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their household. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up their food and tyrannize their teachers."

This only demonstrates that other societies experienced the same trauma, ... not that it is a consistent condition.

Yes, ... the young frequently think differently than their elders, but today's youth (perhaps, particularly, the millennials) seem to have peaked in their disdain for those things which their elders cherished.

Note that I'm not speaking of ALL millennials, ... just a sizable portion of them.

Of course, ... it's also true that it's not just the young ... I see bad behaviour across the generations ...

 

[dreadnought]

I had a rough day yesterday. I was on my way to the gas station and stop at the red light outside of my neighborhood. The light later turns green, and as usual I wait a couple of seconds in the event of a red light runner. One person did end up running the red light. Since my light had been green for about three or four seconds and the red light runner passed, I judge that it's safe to go. I subsequently take off, then clash! My airbags go off and I'm in shock. I apparently t-boned someone who ran the red light even more egregiously.

A witness who called police helps me out of my car. Fortunately there weren't any serious injuries, since I had been going no more than 5 or 6 miles per hour. But my car was totaled. The red light runner, who was a 17-year-old driving home from school, approaches me and apologizes for causing the wreck. When he talks to police, though, he lies and tells them he couldn't tell what color the light was. My witness gives a testimony to police and says our light had clearly been green, so there shouldn't be any problems collecting insurance money due to the reckless driver's dishonestly.

Now I have no vehicle and won't be able to go anywhere until the insurance company pays for a rental car. But I should be okay. At least I didn't break my legs, right?

This whole experience has me thinking. What motivates people to run red lights? Personally, I always stop at red lights and drive 3 or 4 MPH within the speed limit. People may say they're in a hurry, but how much of a hurry do you have to be in when you're only driving home from school and put other people at risk for serious injury or even death?

I think people run red lights because they are in a hurry, and maybe the light turns red quicker than they thought it would.

 

[A_Thinker]

I think people run red lights because they are in a hurry, and maybe the light turns red quicker than they thought it would.

You are being kind ...

I have been in traffic situations where, for no earthly reason, ... I have delayed starting across an intersection as soon as the light changes, ... only to see a car fly through the intersection from the cross street.

It is at such (and similar) times that I am most aware of God's overarching care for me ...

 

[dreadnought]

You are being kind ...

I have been in traffic situations where, for no earthly reason, ... I have delayed starting across an intersection as soon as the light changes, ... only to see a car fly through the intersection from the cross street.

It is at such (and similar) times that I am most aware of God's overarching care for me ...

Well, your testimony and the testimony of the op would suggest my analysis wasn't complete.

 

[A_Thinker]

I think people run red lights because they are in a hurry,

I do agree with this statement of yours though.

Soccer moms will ride my tail ... when they are evidently trying to get to daycare/school to pick up their kids ...

 

[MoonlessNight]

I don't think that our younger generation today is any worse than at any other time in history. It is the same in every generation --- the older casts a jaundiced eye at the younger.

Socrates (died 399BC) wrote --- "Our youth now love luxury, they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders, and love to chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their household. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up their food and tyrannize their teachers."

That reminds me another quote by Socrates: "If someone says something that people think is wise, it will eventually be attributed to the only philosopher that people have heard of, regardless of whether or not he said it. This tendency will get worse in the days of twitter and facebook."

Your quote is actually from 1907 (or, well, the original form of it is in any case; it's mutated over the years due to people trying to quote it from imperfect memory), though to be fair the person who wrote the quote was trying to summarize attitudes from ancient times. Either because people forgot the source or because it doesn't have the same kick as it would if it were a direct quote, they tend to ascribe it to various ancient figures, such as Plato, Aristotle, Thales, Pericles, etc. But generally it's attributed to Socrates, almost certainly because he's the name that people know the best.