Every August 5th, we come together to recognize National Traffic Light Day—a tribute to one of transportation’s most important safety innovations. At Ray Chevrolet in Fox Lake, we view this day as the perfect chance to highlight intersection safety and how Chevrolet’s latest safety features help safeguard our local community.
Intersections connect our journeys but can also be high-risk areas for accidents and injuries. With Chevrolet’s advanced safety technology complementing the work of traffic lights, drivers in Fox Lake and the surrounding areas gain additional peace of mind at every crossing.
National Traffic Light Day
The first electric traffic light debuted on August 5, 1914, in Cleveland, Ohio. That simple but revolutionary red, amber, and green system changed driving forever. Since then, traffic lights have become a familiar part of daily life, consistently guiding vehicles and pedestrians through intersections and helping reduce the risk of collisions.
Throughout Fox Lake and neighboring communities, traffic signals remain the backbone of safe intersections. We often take them for granted, but these devices keep traffic flowing smoothly and play a vital role in preventing accidents during every hour of the day.
Intersection Safety: Why It Matters
Despite universal traffic signals, intersection accidents remain a significant concern in the United States. According to the Federal Highway Administration, about one-quarter of traffic fatalities and half of all road injuries in the U.S. take place at intersections.
Red light running remains one of the deadliest issues. In 2023, crashes caused by running red lights resulted in 1,086 deaths, with half of those lost being pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-violators. Signalized intersections also pose serious risks. In 2022, 4,204 people lost their lives in crashes at signalized intersections, and over 1,200 of those deaths involved drivers running red lights. Another alarming statistic highlights driver behavior—someone runs a red light roughly every 20 minutes at urban intersections during rush hours. While most drivers agree that running red lights is unsafe, nearly one in three admit to having done it recently.
These statistics emphasize the importance of intersection safety for both roadway planners and car manufacturers. By combining effective traffic engineering with modern vehicle safety technologies, we can create safer roads and protect everyone who uses them.
Chevrolet Safety Features for Intersection Protection
At Ray Chevrolet, we’re proud to offer vehicles equipped with the latest Chevy Safety Assist systems, engineered to help drivers avoid common intersection hazards and protect passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.
Forward Collision Alert & Automatic Emergency Braking
By monitoring traffic ahead, these systems warn drivers about possible collisions—and can apply the brakes automatically if there’s no time to react. This extra layer of protection is especially important if a driver is momentarily distracted while approaching a red light.
Front Pedestrian Braking
Intersections often see heavy pedestrian traffic, making this feature especially valuable. It detects people crossing in front of the vehicle and can apply the brakes to help avoid a potentially tragic accident. Pedestrian safety is a priority for our entire community.
Following Distance Indicator
It’s easy to unintentionally follow another car too closely, particularly as traffic comes to a stop at red lights. The Following Distance Indicator provides real-time feedback to help drivers keep a safe buffer, reducing the risk of rear-end collisions—one of the most common intersection incidents.
Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
Navigating turns and waiting at complex intersections can sometimes cause drivers to drift out of their lane. This system gently corrects steering and provides alerts if the vehicle begins to travel outside its lane, which can prevent sideswipes and other lane-related accidents.
IntelliBeam® Automatic High-Beam Headlights
Visibility can be reduced at night, especially at busy crossroads. IntelliBeam automatically switches between high and low beams, improving sightlines for drivers while reducing glare for others—making late-night travel through intersections safer for everyone.
Additional Safety Innovations
Other available features, such as Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Braking and Side Bicyclist Alert, provide extra assurance when you’re exiting intersections or navigating areas with multiple lanes and heavy road use.
A Partnership in Safety
National Traffic Light Day reminds us that our most effective safety solutions come from working together—as a community, as drivers, and as advocates for better technology. Traffic lights and Chevrolet’s safety features form a powerful partnership to keep intersections safer for everyone.
At Ray Chevrolet, our commitment to safety spans generations. Since 1963, we’ve proudly served Fox Lake families and supported our local neighborhoods. For us, safety isn’t just about selling vehicles; it’s about building lasting relationships and helping every driver feel confident, prepared, and protected on the road.
Whether your route takes you through Crystal Lake, Grayslake, Gurnee, or right here in Fox Lake, you deserve a vehicle that looks out for you and your loved ones. Modern Chevrolet safety features are not a substitute for careful driving, but they provide an invaluable backup when seconds matter.
Visit Ray Chevrolet to experience these innovative safety systems in action with any of our quality modern vehicles. Our team is here to answer your questions and guide you toward finding the right vehicle for your needs. When it comes to intersection safety—on National Traffic Light Day and every day—trust us to keep you moving forward with confidence and care.
