Courtesy of Pensacola News Journal
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves and Pensacola Police Chief Eric Randall made their case Tuesday for the city to embark on a red light camera pilot program for some of the city’s most dangerous intersections.
Recent Data Shows The Dangers Of Pensacola Intersections
Last week, Reeves said the city was considering red light traffic cameras as recommended by former Pensacola Police Chief Tommi Lyter − who is now chief deputy of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office − in Reeve’s transition report.
The transition report was put together by volunteer community members who had expertise and experience in the subject areas. The committee members met with residents and city employees to determine what solutions they would recommend to help the city be successful.
Red Light Running
On Tuesday, Reeves released the city traffic data on the number of red lights that are illegally run by drivers, and he said he would soon ask the City Council to pass an ordinance allowing the city to launch a pilot program for red light cameras.
“I understand that these can be controversial, but I promise I’m not doing it because I want people to be upset with me,” Reeves said. “I’m doing it because I think it’s the right thing to do.”
Reeves released data gathered for the city by NovoaGlobal Inc., a traffic safety company that installs red light cameras that showed that in a 16-hour period in June at the city’s most dangerous nine intersections, 375 cars ran a right light going straight through the intersection, and another 195 ran a red light making a left turn.
When the data is extrapolated out for a 30-day period, it shows that 11,250 times a red light is run going straight through or about 15 times every hour.
The most likely place people are to run a red light straight through the intersection is at Fairfield Drive and Ninth Avenue, where 82 cars were recorded going straight through the intersection, which is five cars every hour during the 16 hours the data was gathered.
“In just five years, we’ve had over 15,000 car crashes here in the city,” Randall said.
Randall said the PPD officers who were first on the scene at car wrecks spent 5,000 hours working those wrecks. Randall said usually a second officer will respond and sometimes a third, so the actual number of hours working crashes is double or even triple that amount.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CRASHES IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA IN 2021 JUMPED BY MORE THAN 1,600. THERE WERE ALSO 23 MORE DEATHS IN THE SAME YEAR.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY HAS A HIGHER RATE OF FATAL ACCIDENTS THAN FLORIDA AS A WHOLE.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), while Escambia County accounts for a relatively small portion of the total number of fatal accidents in Florida each year, the county has a higher rate of deadly accidents than Florida as a whole. In 2020, only 0.08 percent of Florida’s car accidents were fatal. However, in Escambia County, this figure is closer to 1%. While this might not seem like a significant difference, it accounts for several needless accident-related deaths in Escambia County on an annual basis.
What Types of Accidents Occur at Intersections?
Running through red lights, rear-ending other drivers, and cutting off other drivers while making a left turn can result in serious accidents at intersections. The following are some of the most common types of accidents that occur at intersections:
Side-Impact or T-Bone Collisions: This type of accident occurs when the front of a vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle, usually at about a 90-degree angle. The occupant on the passenger side of the vehicle that was hit often sustains very serious injuries because there is no barrier protecting them from the impact of the crash. These accidents often happen when a motorist fails to yield to the right-of-way, runs through a red light, is distracted, or is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Head-On Collisions: These are some of the most devastating accidents that often result in fatalities, particularly when the vehicles were traveling at a high speed at the time of the crash. They occur when the front of one vehicle crashes into the front of another vehicle. At intersections, these usually occur when a motorist makes an illegal left turn.
Left-Turn Accidents: These occur when a vehicle that is making a left turn gets into an accident with a vehicle that is going straight through the intersection. In most cases, the driver making the left turn is liable for the accident since he or she must yield to the motorists who are driving straight through the intersection.
Rear-End Collisions: These are the most common type of accident, resulting in 1.7 million accidents, approximately 1,700 fatalities and 500,000 injuries each year. They usually occur when a driver is tailgating another motorist or is not paying attention to his or her surroundings. For example, a rear-end collision can occur at an intersection if a motorist fails to slow down in time to avoid hitting a car that is stopped at a red light.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHILE AT AN INTERSECTION.
1. Call the police and file a report
2. Swap information (including any insurance info they may have)
3. Gather details
4. Take pictures
5. Gather contact information of any witnesses
6. Seek medical care immediately for any injuries – no matter how minor you think they might be.
Get more helpful information on what to do after an accident here at our “Car Wreck Checklist” >
Joe Zarzaur is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney whose firm is dedicated to promoting community safety since 2007. ZARZAUR LAW’S AREAS OF PRACTICE: Serious Personal Injury, Product Defect, Auto Accidents, Cycling Accidents, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Products Liability, Wrongful Death, Community Safety, Boat and Jet Ski Accidents, Slip and Fall Injuries, and more. Licensed in Alabama and Florida.
It is also important to consult with a Board Certified Trial lawyer who has the knowledge and experience to help you. We know accidents can be stressful and want to make the process as easy as possible for you. Call Zarzaur Law, P.A. today at (855) Hire-Joe for a free legal consultation or visit www.zarzaurlaw.com.
If you’ve been the victim of an auto accident, it’s important that you don’t make any rash decisions. Put yourself in the best possible position to receive the justice you deserve. It is also important to consult with a Board Certified Trial lawyer who has the knowledge and experience to help you. We know accidents can be stressful and want to make the process as easy as possible for you. Call Zarzaur Law, P.A. today at (855) Hire-Joe, or by requesting a free case review through our website.
Sources:
https://highways.dot.gov/research/research-programs/safety/intersection-safety
https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/pensacola/2023/11/01/pensacola-seeks-to-launch-red-light-traffic-camera-pilot-program/71391599007/?fbclid=IwAR39_UL5vjgcl6a3LtijDfpNg7rQbrOBi7yA4QpxewtH5ff5iXnd9yH4LGA