How Red-Light Running is Defined and How Crash Figures Are Determined

How Red-Light Running is Defined:

Red-light running is defined legally as follows, based on whether the law in effect allows “permissive yellow” or “restrictive yellow”:

  • Under a “permissive yellow” rule (stated in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC):
    • Driver can legally enter intersection during entire yellow interval
    • Violation occurs if driver enters intersection after onset of red

  • Under a “restrictive yellow” rule:
    • Driver can neither enter nor be in intersection on red
    • Violation occurs if driver has not cleared intersection after onset of red

How Red-Light Running Crash figures Are Determined:

FHWA calculates red-light running-related crashes, injuries and fatalities by reviewing available data (which are FARS features) where:

  1. The relation to junction was an intersection, intersection related, or driveway/alley access; and
  2. There was a traffic control signal on colors; and
  3. A driver was charged with running a red-light or a driver failed to obey actual traffic signs, traffic control devices, or traffic officers, or safety zone traffic laws; and
  4. The driver was going straight.

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Program Contact

Jeffrey Shaw

708-283-3524

What’s New

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FHWA's Intersection Resources Library CD-ROM

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Mini-Roundabouts Technical Summary

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Intersection Safety Case Studies

Intersection Safety Technologies

Presentation: Intersection Safety

Example Intersection Safety Implementation Plan

Intersection Safety Implementation Plan Workshop

Example Data Analysis Package and Straw Man Outline