ST. GEORGE — A driver running a red light was found to be the cause of an accident at the intersection of Bluff Street and Main Street in St. George around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday.
A white Toyota Tacoma was heading southbound on Bluff Street and ran a red light, St. George Police Officer Steven Powell said. The Tacoma then made contact with a Gray Dodge Truck pulling a trailer.
“It was just a basic lapse of judgement,” Powell said.
The crash caused damage to the hood of the Tacoma but Powell said that no injuries were reported.
There was no visible damage to the Dodge Truck which drove off on it’s own accord.
Both vehicles were able to pull off the road and into the Denny’s parking lot so there was no major traffic impediment.
Weather conditions were not found to be a factor in the accident, Powell said.
The driver of the Tacoma was cited for failure to stop at a red light.
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Does it really matter if the accident is caused by texting/distraction or if people are just making the decision to run the light for selfish reasons? The bottom line is both situations are happening much too frequently. Asking drivers politely to be more attentive and safer drivers is not going to achieve any positive result. What will get a result is intensive selective enforcement by police at intersections and other high accident areas targeting hazardous violations. Study after study reveal increased police presence combined with enforcement action reduces the incidence of accidents at targeted locations. I also for one, do not enjoy paying out increased insurance premiums that are a result of the economic cost of avoidable careless behavior. The economic costs, medical costs and the costs related to the emergency services utilized to respond and investigate these incidents are staggering. When will the local law enforcement agencies here start to initiate this type of program. How many more accidents and injuries have to needlessly occur?
Sad to say it, but the local law enforcement agencies simply do not care about red light runners and/or distracted drivers. Maybe distracted drivers as the financial penalties are much higher (profitable) than the common red light running. Heck, I’ve seen police officers actually roll up to a red light and proceed to make their right hand turn without even stopping. They just don’t care! Get over it. The most we can hope for is that we drive defensively and don’t get t-boned at an intersection by a red light runner/distracted/texting driver. Its as if we actually have to wait till a red light runner or distracted driver plows into a police cruiser. Hopefully the officer will not be seriously injured….or the red light/distracted driver either.
Will you enjoy more paying out taxes to fund the police presence? Its either DUI arrests and meth busts or fender benders. Take yer pick.
Me, I’m just shocked that since the advent of the diverging double Ds at the freeway interchange on the ‘vard countless accidents have occurred (and many prior to the excuse-worthy freeze) but not one at that interchange. Maybe SG drivers are simply better when faced with some complexity. Never would have guessed it, but I’m now all in favor of divergent traffic constructions all over town!
The negative economic impact of accidents and their related costs: motor vehicle insurance, medical insurance, short/long term disability insurance, lost wages, legal fees, municipal court costs, emergency service wages to respond and investigate each and every accident ect.. more than justify the cost to increase proactive accident reduction measures. A municipality and every citizen can see a cost savings by increasing accident prevention initiatives. As a police administrator for over 25 years, it is possible to increase these initiatives, keep on supportings other priorities and not result in a tax increase for citizens. It’s all about strategic long and short term planning, utilizing State and Federal grant funding, effectively managing resources and settings reasonable and achieveable goals. Adding a new initiative does not have to result an either/or situation. All it requires is effective leadership, planning and follow-through.
Glad there were no injuries.
Still waiting for STGNews to add that “Red Light Runners” box between Health & Wellness and Obituaries.