We have seen many bone-jarring videos of red-light runners getting wrecked - literally wrecked. But some people still don’t realize what a bad idea it is to jump a signal. For those folks, and for others as a humble reminder, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) posted a video demonstrating how dangerous it can be to break the rules.

That’s One From The Archives

You must be wondering why the IIHS chose these cars. No, it’s not because they are common cars, or they were picked at random or anything like that. A Ford F-150 ran a red light and crashed into a Chrysler Sebring. Needless to say, it didn’t end well for the Sebring driver. Not only was his car wrecked, but he was also seriously injured. As you can see in the video, the side-curtain airbags do open up, but they just reduce the impact; not save you from injuries.

Statistically Speaking

In pure numbers, this means more than 800 people have lost their lives every year. All of it could have been avoided if drivers just had a little patience and were not getting ambitious with the yellow light.

This Alarming Number Needs To Come Down Immediately

To control this and reduce the number of people becoming a statistic, IIHS has been encouraging more red light cameras that help in catching drivers who put themselves and others in danger by ignoring traffic laws. For this, the IIHS is working with National Safety Council and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety to create a database for policymakers to implement cameras on the roads. Although the speed cameras will help crack down the law-breakers, it is up to the citizens to follow the rules and obey the traffic laws. Do you think the government needs to come up with such initiatives on a regular basis to spread more awareness? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2007 Chrysler Sebring.

Read our full review on the 2011 Ford F-150.