Tori's mother suggested that I make a page about the dangers of red light running and speeding. This is a page about Tori's accident.
WARNING:
There is a photo of Tori's car on this page. Because this can be upsetting to some people, I have placed it at the very bottom. This photo and all of the information supplied on this page are provided for educational purposes.
Tori Ferrell was just seventeen years old when her life was taken by a speeding driver. She leaves behind many hopes, dreams, wishes, and aspirations due to this unfortunate and highly preventable incident.
She was a sweet, talented, beautiful, kind, intelligent, and all-around wonderful person. She was a senior in high school, and loving every moment of it. She was very excited about her senior year and had many activities planned. She had great dreams and high hopes for the future that will now remain unfulfilled because another driver chose to be careless.
An article about the accident. There are more on the Articles page.
Greenwood Girl Killed in CrashBy Sussex County Online
Nov 28, 2003, 15:30
A 17-year-old Greenwood girl was killed in a two-car collision at the intersection of U.S. 13 and County Road 40 on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003.
Delaware State Police are investigating the crash that occured at approximately 4:44 p.m.
Police said a 1995 Plymouth Neon operated by Tori Ferrell of Greenwood was traveling eastbound on CR 40 crossing over US 13 and had a green light.
A 1998 Ford Expedition operated by John Vallandingham, 21, of Cape May N.J., was traveling northbound on U.S. 13, in the left lane, approaching the intersection of CR 40. Vallandingham had a red light, police said.
According to police, Vallandingham failed to stop for the red light and swerved to the right at the last minute to try and avoid the Neon, but the front of the Expedition struck the right side of the Neon, and both vehicles traveled off the east edge of the roadway. The Expedition then rolled over one time.
Ferrell was transported to Nanticoke Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased, police. Vallandingham, his wife, and their 8-month-old child, were also transported to Nanticoke Hospital, where they were treated for apparent minor injuries.
The crash remains under investigation, police said.
According to my research, red light running is the leading cause of collisions in intersections. Somewhere in excess of 200,000 crashes occur every year, and they all have one thing in common-- they were caused by a driver who ran a red light.
Yes, many people run red lights. Sometimes they're in a hurry, or they feel pressured, or stressed. These people may have their reasons, but there is never any excuse for running a red light. Apparently the general public is aware of this problem, because 96% of drivers fear being hit by a red light runner as they enter an intersection.
Unfortunately, many still choose to make this mistake. An estimated 250 Americans are either injured or killed daily due to red light running. This is a difficult problem to target; due to the fact that red light runners do not fit into a specific group. They are generally more likely to be younger, inexperienced drivers, but that is not always the case. And there is rarely any malicious intent behind running the light; most people who commit this act are simply impatient.
Law enforcement runs into trouble when it comes to mandating safety with this serious problem. There obviously can't be a police car waiting at every intersection in the country; watching for drivers who run red lights. And even if there were, pursuing these runners could put other drivers at risk. Luckily, a safer alternative has been put in place.
Since the installment of red light cameras in busy intersections, the likeliness of a driver running has decreased. A red light camera only takes a photo of a car's license plate once it has passed through an intersection when a light is RED. There is no invasion of privacy because the photo is only taken once the driver has commited the crime. Thankfully, drivers are much more likely to NOT attempt running a light when they know there is a possibility that they could be fined for their mistake.
While these cameras cannot prevent collisions, they have reduced the number of crashes that occur in the intersections where they are placed. Additionally, states with more severe penalties for red light violations have also shown a decrease in occurrences. But there is only one way to stop these accidents, and it's quite simple-- DO NOT RUN RED LIGHTS. Just remember that yellow means slow down; not speed up, and if someone you know practices this dangerous behavior, please let them know how costly it can be. Getting home a few minutes early is not worth taking someone's life.
I used the following links for research in constructing this page. You may visit them for additional information.
Put The Brakes On Fatalities Day
Accident Reconstruction News
National Campaign To Stop Red Light Running
City of Phoenix Red Light Running Campaign
Roadway Safety Guide : Intersections
Red Means Stop Coalition
Advocates For Highway and Auto Safety : Red Light Cameras
On a final note, I'd just like you to remember one thing. Before you make the decision to speed, run a red light, or fail to stop at a stop sign, consider this: when you choose to be a careless driver, it doesn't just affect you; it affects everyone. No one has immunity from becoming a victim. It could be you, it could be your neighbor, it could be your best friend, or even your own mother. Any and everyone is put at risk when you make the choice to be a reckless driver.
This is Tori's car. Had it not been for another driver's impatience, she would most likely be in college right now; on her way to great things. Think about it.
