Red-light runner
Meaning: A driver who drives through an intersection after the traffic light has turned red.
Running a red light is one of the most dangerous driving offenses, and red-light cameras at intersections have become common in American cities. A red-light runner is someone who either wasn't paying attention or deliberately chose to blow through the light. It's a frequent cause of serious intersection accidents.
Examples
- A red-light runner nearly hit me in the intersection today. 今天一个闯红灯的差点在路口撞到我。Hoy un conductor que se saltó el semáforo en rojo casi me atropella en el cruce.今日、信号無視のドライバーに交差点で轢かれそうになった。오늘 신호 무시하는 차가 교차로에서 나를 거의 칠 뻔했다.
- They installed cameras to catch red-light runners at that intersection. 那个路口装了摄像头来抓闯红灯的司机。Instalaron cámaras en ese cruce para pillar a los que se saltan los semáforos.あの交差点に信号無視を捕まえるカメラが設置された。저 교차로에 신호 위반 단속 카메라가 설치됐다.
- She's a notorious red-light runner — she thinks yellow means go faster. 她是出了名的闯红灯惯犯——她觉得黄灯的意思是开更快。Ella es una conocida infractora de semáforos — cree que el ámbar significa acelerar más.彼女は有名な信号無視常習犯だ——黄色は「もっとスピード出せ」の意味だと思ってる。그녀는 유명한 신호 무시 상습범이야 — 노란불이 '더 빨리 가라'는 뜻인 줄 알아.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: driving, traffic safety, law enforcement
Tone: critical, alarmed
✓ Do Say
- Watch out for red-light runners at this intersection.在这个路口要小心闯红灯的。Cuidado con los que se saltan los semáforos en este cruce.この交差点では信号無視のドライバーに気をつけて。이 교차로에서 신호 무시하는 차 조심해.
- Some red-light runner almost T-boned me.有个闯红灯的差点把我撞成侧翻。Uno que se saltó el rojo casi me embiste por el lateral.信号無視の車にT字衝突されそうになったよ。어떤 신호 위반 차가 나를 거의 측면 충돌할 뻔했어.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't confuse with catching a yellow light — running a red means the light was already red别和抢黄灯搞混——闯红灯是指灯已经变红了还通过No confundir con pasar en ámbar — saltarse un rojo significa que el semáforo ya estaba en rojo黄色信号で通過することと混同しないこと——赤信号無視は信号がすでに赤の状態で通過すること노란불에 통과하는 것과 혼동하지 말 것 — 신호 위반은 이미 빨간불인 상태를 말한다
Origin & History
American English from the mid-20th century, as traffic light enforcement became a growing concern. The term gained prominence with the rise of red-light cameras in the 1990s-2000s.
Cultural Context
Era: Mid-20th century
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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