Seven million red light runners
- A fifth of UK motorists (21%) have received penalty points for running a traffic light
- In 2024, 19,734 UK drivers were issued with penalty points for failing to comply with traffic lights
- Greater London accounted for a fifth (3,950) of these violations, with Transport for London operating over 240 red light cameras across its road network
- Almost two in five motorists (37%) do not follow the Highway Code at amber lights
A fifth of UK drivers (21%), equivalent to nearly 6.9 million1 motorists, have received penalty points at some point in their lives for running red lights, according to new research from Churchill motor insurance.2 With the growing use of traffic cameras, drivers are now far more likely to be caught running red lights, a dangerous offence that has nearly doubled in camera-detected incidents since 2021.3
Last year, 19,734 drivers were issued with penalty points for failing to comply with traffic light signals, according to information provided by the DVLA.4 Greater London accounted for a fifth (3,950) of these contraventions, with Transport for London operating 248 red light cameras across its road network.5 The West Midlands and Leicestershire make up the top three, with 811 and 670 drivers respectively receiving penalty points last year.
Table one: Regions with the most drivers receiving penalty points for failing to comply with traffic light signals in 2024
| Region | Number of drivers |
| Greater London | 3,950 |
| West Midlands | 811 |
| Leicestershire | 670 |
| Essex | 653 |
| Kent | 625 |
| Avon | 612 |
| Surrey | 597 |
| Nottinghamshire | 586 |
| Greater Manchester | 580 |
| South Yorkshire | 569 |
Source: Churchill motor insurance 2025
Surprisingly, almost two in five drivers (37%) admit to not following the Highway Code when approaching amber traffic lights. An amber light means ‘stop’ at the stop line and drivers may go on only if the amber appears after they have crossed the stop line or are so close to it that to pull up might cause an accident.6 While 61% stop when it is safe to do so, a quarter (26%) say they will deliberately drive through the amber light, with 15% carrying on at the same speed in order to get through the light. A further one in ten (11%) even admit to accelerating to ensure they get across, 12% always slow down and stop, even if it means breaking hard.
Reasons given for continuing to drive through or accelerate when approaching an amber traffic light vary, and some drivers just cannot resist the urge to speed through in specific scenarios. Whether it is the dread of being stuck waiting (39%), the belief that amber is just a warning to stop (37%), or the fear that the car behind will slam into them if they stop suddenly (35%), there is no shortage of reasons for this habit. Some drivers stick with what they have always done (22%), while others hope to avoid a road rage incident from the driver behind (19%).
Certain situations make it even more tempting to race through amber lights. Drivers are more likely to accelerate when running late (23% of motorists), prompting them to put the pedal to the metal. Other situations which increase the chances of this behaviour include there being no cars around (20%), no pedestrians around (17%), when light phasing is deemed slow (15%), avoiding junction boxes (11%), and there being no red light camera at the relevant junction (9%).
Table two: Situations in which motorists are more likely to accelerate at an amber light
| Driving scenario | Percentage who are more likely to accelerate |
| When running late | 23% |
| When there are no cars around | 20% |
| When there are no pedestrians around | 17% |
| When the light phasing is very slow so the driver will be stuck for a while | 15% |
| To avoid a junction box | 11% |
| When there is no camera at the crossing | 9% |
| When the roads are busy | 8% |
| When driving alone | 8% |
| When needing to cut into a different lane | 7% |
Source: Churchill motor insurance 2025
Nicholas Mantel, Head of Churchill Motor Insurance, added: “Every driver can relate to the split-second dilemma faced when a green light turns to amber; sometimes it is not entirely clear whether to step on the brake or keep going. However, running a red light is not only dangerous, but also illegal. Traffic lights play a vital role in coordinating vehicle flows, preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of all road users. With the use of traffic cameras increasing, those looking to disobey the rules of the road are increasingly at risk of receiving fines and points on their licences.”
Going through red or amber lights also provokes various emotional responses from drivers. The most common response is a feeling of guilt (32%), indicating an acknowledgement that they may have broken the rules. Other drivers experience anxiousness (29%) or nervousness (22%), which could signal an uncertainty about the correct behaviour with traffic signals. Somewhat concerningly, 6% feel happy, with a further 6% experiencing a thrill or rush.
Public opinion on the implementation of traffic lights varies. While the vast majority (74%) of drivers agree that traffic lights are essential for driver safety, over half (54%) say the phasing of traffic lights is often timed incorrectly. As such, over half (51%) often get frustrated by the number of traffic lights they encounter on car journeys, despite the fundamental role they play in keeping our roads safe.
Table three: Motorist opinions on traffic lights
| Statement | Percentage who agree |
| Traffic lights are essential for driver safety | 74% |
| I often think that the phasing of traffic lights is timed incorrectly | 54% |
| I often get frustrated by the number of traffic lights I encounter on car journeys | 51% |
| I think cameras on traffic lights are designed to make money for the council rather than for the purposes of road safety | 46% |
| Roundabouts are better at maintaining traffic flow than traffic lights | 43% |
| The number of traffic lights on a route affects my decision on which route to take | 38% |
| I think there should be more traffic lights installed on roads to help with traffic control | 25% |
Source: Churchill Motor Insurance 2025
ENDS
Notes to editors
12% of UK adults * 54,196,443 (UK adult population) = 6,855,850 motorists.
Research was conducted by Opinium among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults. The data was collected between 28th March and 1st April 2025. Opinium abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles and is a member of the British Polling Council.
FOI request (FOIR12271) issued to the DVLA on 17th March 2025 regarding the total number of drivers issued with penalty points under the TS10 (Failing to comply with traffic light signals) endorsement code in 2024. Response received 9th April 2025.
TfL is responsible for 6,500 sets of traffic signals. 248 of these have fixed traffic light cameras. FOI request detail - Transport for London
6. https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/light-signals-controlling-traffic.html
For further information, please contact:
Unni Henry
Churchill PR Manager
Email: unni.henry@directlinegroup.co.uk
Churchill
Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line and is part of the Aviva Group.
Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200 300 or visiting www.churchill.com