a trend of running red lights (Sacramento, Roseville: live in, dangerous, cars)

[49erfan916]

My friend and I have discovered a recent trend of drivers running red lights. I live in elk grove and he lives in Natomas but we have seen an increased number of red light violators and I'm not talking about a split second red light. I'm talking about almost getting into an accident; blatant running of a red light.

Last week, I was making a left turn, and during the middle of my turn, the oncoming driver was still speeding. From experience, those type of drivers like to brake at the very last second, but this guy kept going and damn near hit me. (the left turns are protected; and my left arrow was green for about 3 seconds) And what made it worse is that he ran another red light to make an illegal left hand turn. . I was extremely pissed but I thought it was a coincidence. Then later in the same week, a lady in front of me was making a left turn and this oncoming car almost hit her. And again, that light was green for about 3 seconds. (light was protected) Both cars were going noticeably fast and could have killed someone if they ended up in a collision.

I thought it was just a bad week; an anomaly if you will. It wasn't until my friend made a comment that he has witnessed this too. I know I sound paranoid but has this been going on with you guys recently?

[KC6ZLV]

I haven't seen anyone running red lights recently. I have seen plenty of people smoking weed while driving.

[sanmiguel]

This is a common occurrence in Folsom. Lots of accidents caused by redlight runners and folks who do not check to their left before proceeding after their light changes to green. They have the right-of-way but what good is it to be dead right. We have got to be cautious and not assume that others will do the right thing.

[sacite]

Absolutely right, spot on. I've had at least 5 instances in the past couple of months in and around midtown Sac where someone ran a red light literally 2-3 seconds late, probably traveling 60-70 mph. Each time I was slow off the line as my lane's light turned green. I kept thinking "If I had just hit the gas when my light turned green, I could have been a fatality". The way people drive here is just flat out dangerous.

[49erfan916]

Originally Posted by sacite

Absolutely right, spot on. I've had at least 5 instances in the past couple of months in and around midtown Sac where someone ran a red light literally 2-3 seconds late, probably traveling 60-70 mph. Each time I was slow off the line as my lane's light turned green. I kept thinking "If I had just hit the gas when my light turned green, I could have been a fatality". The way people drive here is just flat out dangerous.

Yikes. I guess i can understand midtown of that happening but not where I live. I haven't seen any red runners for a long time, and all of a sudden I saw two of them within 2 days? And on top of that, my friends see them on the other side of town. It all depends on facts and circumstances, but if a red runner hits me, Im going to be seriously mad.

[Adriatica]

The drivers in Sac are awful. Truly reckless. Red lights seem to just be a suggestion and people pass you on whatever side they feel like, even if it's on the sidewalk. And everyone is on their cell phone.

[49erfan916]

Originally Posted by Adriatica

The drivers in Sac are awful. Truly reckless. Red lights seem to just be a suggestion and people pass you on whatever side they feel like, even if it's on the sidewalk. And everyone is on their cell phone.

I know Sacramento has its fair share of incompetent drivers but these back-to-back red light run ins are unheard of for me.

[movinon]

You are not alone. I witnessed the same thing this morning in Roseville. And then there were several posts about the problem on our local Next Door website tonight. I've never seen anything like this. Is this another manifestation of road rage?

[savoytruffle]

I'm with Adriatica. It's phones and otherwise distracted driving, IMO. I see so many on their phones lately. It's really bad. Running a red light is easy when you're texting. I wouldnt say I see more of it than usual, however, but my standards are very low for Sacramento drivers.

[sacite]

Originally Posted by 49erfan916

Yikes. I guess i can understand midtown of that happening but not where I live. I haven't seen any red runners for a long time, and all of a sudden I saw two of them within 2 days? And on top of that, my friends see them on the other side of town. It all depends on facts and circumstances, but if a red runner hits me, Im going to be seriously mad.

Funny story. About 5 years ago my friend was visiting from LA and we were driving about 20 mph on Folsom BLVD going west, headed towards downtown by Watt Ave, nearing a red light. Out of nowhere the car in the lane next to me slowly merges into mine, to the point I had to swerve and slam on my brakes. He travels through my lane and into the turn lane. All done clear as day and very intentionally, as if it's just a normal day on the road.

I blare on my horn. My friend starts busting up laughing uncontrollably. "Why are you laughing?!" I ask. He responds "Dude, that guy had no reason whatsoever to do that. There aren't even any cars on the road!". I respond, "You are from L.A. Doesn't this sort of thing happen all the time?". He replies, "No! People drive fast but there's an etiquette that's understood. Everyone is trying to get somewhere and everyone's rushed. In Sacramento, people just drive like idiots. There's no rules and no one is in a rush to get anywhere. It's a government town".

I thought that summed it up perfectly.