From June to August 1999, a 58-question telephone survey was administered to provide data for the national "Stop Red Light Running Week" in September. Overall, 5,024 respondents completed the survey. Based on national data, the typical red light runner has the following general characteristics: (1) is younger, driving alone, has no children, and is in a rush to work or school in the morning hours on weekdays; if a parent, most likely has children younger than 20 years old; (2) is employed in jobs requiring less education, or is unemployed; (3) is more than 2 miles from home and is more likely to have been ticketed for red light running (although, the rate of receiving tickets is low); and (4) is NOT necessarily frustrated. Red light running research is still sparse compared to literature for other risky driving behavior. This study was badly needed to provide a national perspective on what drivers perceive to be the red light running issue. Even so, many questions remain that are worthy of attention. These include, but are not limited to: How do perceptions change as a result of the "Stop Red Light Running" program? How does driver behavior actually change as a result of the program? Is red light running an aggressive driving act? (A)
Abstract