Michigan motorists rank third in red light fatalities

DETROIT (AP) - Michigan ranks third nationally in the rate of fatalities caused by drivers running red lights, possibly because of driver impatience with worsening traffic and longer commutes in the Detroit area.

"The longer that commute becomes, the more impatient drivers are becoming, and it's encouraging drivers to run red lights to save two minutes," said Gary Mitchell of the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents.

Statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that Michigan ranks behind Arizona and Nevada in red-light-related fatalities.

Michigan is the only Midwest state in the top 10.

From 1992-98, 355 people were killed in Michigan intersections because a driver ran a red light.

According to U.S. Transportation Department figures, that worked out to a rate of 3.9 deaths per 100,000 drivers in Michigan during those years.

Arizona's rate was 7.1 and Nevada's was 4.5 during the same period.

Police say they often remind drivers that a yellow light should be signal to stop - not to speed up.

"It's a terrible problem," said Officer David Malhalab of Detroit. "People make every excuse in the world."

Red light-running accidents are among the most dangerous because cars often are struck broadside, making air bags almost useless.

Nationally, more than 800 people die and 200,000 are injured annually in crashes involving red light violations.

A committee formed by Wayne County Prosecutor John O'Hair, the Stop on Red Coalition, has been meeting for about a year.

The group also is studying the use of cameras at intersections, as is the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and the Michigan office of the Federal Highway Administration.

Cameras are used in intersections in 10 states to curb red light running.

Pictures are taken of the license plates of cars crossing intersections illegally.

The owners can be ticketed later.

Intersection cameras aren't allowed in Michigan, where state law forbids police from charging a driver unless an officer sees the violation.

Legislation to change that law has been introduced in the state House, the third consecutive year such a bill has been considered.