Worthing roundabout top spot for red light running

According to freedom of information data obtained by Esure car insurance, the A27 junction with Hillbarn Lane has been ranked as the 15th worst road in the UK for offences involving red traffic lights last year.

According to the report, 789 drivers were caught running a red light at the junction in 2015.

Councillor John Rogers, who represents Cissbury division on West Sussex County Council where the roundabout sits, said he was ‘shocked’ at the figures.

He said: “If that is people breaking the law then I am shocked to hear that is so many. It is disgraceful. I implore people to be safer, if they are local people or not. There is obviously a level of impatience that people get but it is not an excuse.”

Countrywide, the report claimed the biggest reason motorists had driven through a red light was because they were not able to slow down quickly enough to stop safely behind the line.

A survey conducted showed 34 per cent of people had ran for this reason, while also high up were drivers who had committed to going through the lights, and those who didn’t realise the light was red, both with 24 per cent of the survey.

In a statement from Esure, Jon Wilshire, chief underwriting officer said: “The rise in drivers running red lights is down to people’s lifestyles – they’re busy and in a rush and just want to sneak through the red light and get to where they need to be. However, running a red light is not a very bright thing to do. Aside from the obvious danger and increased chance of ending up in an accident, you could get points on your licence, which will affect the cost of your insurance, plus you could be out of pocket and fined £1,000. The average set of lights change every couple of minutes so it’s not long to keep yourself and fellow motorists safe.”

The report says the maximum penalty for running a red light is a fine of £1,000 and three penalty points, but drivers are usually given a Fixed Penalty Notice, which is a fine of £100 and three penalty points.

Based on the number of offences recorded by police forces in 2015, £6.7million was paid out in fines and 201,705 penalty points were given out collectively.

See www.esure.com/media_centre/brits_ignore_red_lights.html for the full report.

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