Time of day most likely to be hit by a vehicle running a red light | UK | News
People are increasingly jaywalking (Image: Joseph Raynor/Nottingham Post)
British drivers run a red light every four and a half minutes; This puts pedestrians and fellow drivers at serious risk.
More than 350,000 red light offenses were recorded by 26 police forces between 2023 and 2025; recorded crimes increased every year during the period analyzed, increasing by 37.5% over the three-year period.
The latest available figures also show a further 33,951 red light breaches were recorded between January and March 2026; That’s an average of more than 377 every day, or one crime every four minutes.
Shocking findings revealed in Freedom of Information data Obtained by cinchThe UK’s largest online second-hand car retailer shows that 351,244 offenses were recorded for failing to obey a red traffic light.
Ben Welham, motoring expert at Cinch, said: “Jaywalking often occurs when drivers misjudge the timing of changing lights or attempt to pass a junction too late.
“However, failing to stop at a red light can put drivers, cyclists and pedestrians at serious risk, especially at busy intersections where multiple lanes of traffic move simultaneously.
“Even if a driver believes he has enough time to pass safely, other road users may be driving through the intersection with a green signal.”
Elizabeth Tower next to a red traffic light in Westminster, London. (Image: PA)
Red light crimes increased by 37.5 percent in three years
Red light crimes increased from 101,184 in 2023 to 139,139 in 2025; In the first three months of 2026, 33,951 more crimes were recorded.
Red light offenses recorded by the 26 responding police forces:
- 2023 – 101,184 crimes
- 2024 – 110,921 crimes
- 2025 – 139,139 crimes
- January-March 2026 – 33,951 crimes
A police force records more than half of all crimes
Temporary traffic lights in central Bristol, Monday 27 March 2023. STOCK: road works, traffic congestion, la (Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
The Metropolitan Police Service recorded by far the highest number of red light crimes between 2023 and 2025, with a total of 187,261.
Force alone accounted for over half (53.3%) of all crimes recorded by responding police forces.
Outside London, Nottinghamshire Police recorded the highest number of crimes (30,532), followed by Leicestershire Constabulary (23,296), Surrey Police (17,779) and Police Scotland (17,232).
Police districts with the most red light crimes between 2023-2025:
- Metropolitan Police Department – 187,261 crimes
- Nottinghamshire Police – 30,532 crimes
- Leicestershire Constabulary – 23,296 crimes
- Surrey Police – 17,779 crimes
- Police Scotland – 17,232 crimes
- Essex Police – 9,613 crimes
- South Wales Police – 8,532 crimes
- Cheshire Constabulary – 8,158 crimes
- Hertfordshire Constabulary – 7,748 crimes
- West Yorkshire Police – 6,894 crimes
Afternoons are the most common time for red light violations
Among police forces that provided detailed time-of-day analysis, red light crimes were most common in the afternoon, accounting for more than a third (35.4%) of all recorded crimes.
Several police forces, including Leicestershire, Police Scotland, Suffolk, Norfolk and Bedfordshire, recorded their highest crime numbers between 12pm and 4.59pm.
Mr Welham added: “The data shows that red light breaches are not limited to quieter periods of the day. Heavy daytime traffic brings its own challenges as more vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians use the same junctions.
“No matter the time, drivers should always anticipate when the lights will change rather than assuming they can pass.
“If you’re approaching traffic lights and they turn yellow, your best option is to stop if it’s safe to do so. Trying to get through the lights may buy a few seconds, but it can significantly increase the risk of a collision.”
Red light crimes increase by more than 500% in some areas
Some police force areas recorded sharp increases in red light crimes between 2023 and 2025, although differences in camera coverage and enforcement activities may have contributed to some differences.
Humberside Police saw the largest percentage increase; crimes increased from 299 in 2023 to 2,004 in 2025; 570.2% increase.
West Mercia Police recorded the second largest increase, with offenses rising from 426 to 2,697 (+533.1%) between 2023 and 2025, while Nottinghamshire Police recorded an increase of 245.6%, from 4,635 offenses to 16,017 over the same period.
Police force areas with the biggest percentage increases between 2023 and 2025:
- Humberside Police – 570.2% increase (299 to 2,004 offences)
- West Mercia Police – up 533.1% (426 offenses to 2,697)
- Nottinghamshire Police – 245.6% increase (4,635 to 16,017 crimes)
- West Yorkshire Police – 239.6% increase (1,268 to 4,306 offences)
- Devon and Cornwall Police – 197.0% increase (1,136 to 3,374 crimes)
Mr Welham added: “These findings should serve as an important reminder to drivers to allow junctions sufficient time to stop safely.
“Drivers should always leave sufficient distance from the vehicle in front, approach intersections at an appropriate speed, and avoid making last-minute decisions when the lights change.”
