http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs/post--motorcyclists-can-legally-run-red-lights-in-nevada?icid=autos_4806

Bloody good idea.

Some states already have such a law. Unfortunately, MD is not one of them.

WA either now has that law or is going to pass it.

It is not "running a red light" but proceeding through an intersection when a traffic signal fails. It can be broken or fail to detect traffic. If that happens, you can proceed through  the intersection if safe to do so.

There is a big distinction between "running" a red light and "cautiously proceeding through" a red light when the signal malfunctions for whatever reason.

Quote from: adidasguy on October 01, 2013, 10:45:08 PM
There is a big distinction between "running" a red light and "cautiously proceeding through" a red light when the signal malfunctions for whatever reason.

I must say I have done it. Was in the car as were the other 20 to 30 people behind me. Lights never let us through so I made the decision to break the law and proceed as did everyone else. Dont think any of us would have been booked for it?

We get the odd dodgy set of lights here - normally the Philips (Tyco) controllers will flash all groups amber to instruct motorists to treat the intersection as uncontrolled... usually it is a complete power loss that will make it all fall over.

We also have fail safes here for most controllers that will force the controller to detect a faulty detection loop as always having a car there.  That can really screw with the timings though if you get a lot of broken loops - but at least you get your turn to get through.

Part of my former life job was servicing faulty signals.. watching the lemmings not know how an uncontrolled intersection works is always good for a laugh... especially the intersections that had only recently been changed from uncontrolled to controlled.

Would like to at least see the rule bought in here to be able to turn on the red (LHS here) - would be much better at intersections where pedestrians take their sweet time crossing when the light goes green...

The phrasing is a little BS, but that's how the news likes to hook us in.  Illinois has a similar law, but ours reads that you can pass through after waiting for 2 minutes.  I haven't had it happen yet but it seems that we should be able to proceed if you have a clear opening and the light is being stubborn.

Quote from: tmbr_wulf on October 02, 2013, 02:51:21 PM
The phrasing is a little BS, but that's how the news likes to hook us in.  Illinois has a similar law, but ours reads that you can pass through after waiting for 2 minutes.  I haven't had it happen yet but it seems that we should be able to proceed if you have a clear opening and the light is being stubborn.

Aye here in tn, first I try restarting the moto. then if no opposing traffic, proceed as if it were a 4 way stop.

would be nice if WV enacted such a law; there are several stop lights here in town that don't react to bikes.

Quote from: radodrill on October 02, 2013, 07:01:23 PM
would be nice if WV enacted such a law; there are several stop lights here in town that don't react to bikes.

sometimes theyre pressure switches, sometimes they are magnetic. back in the day around 2004 here, someone mentioned putting magnets on the frame rails  to assist with the switches. id always shut my gs off as I rolled up, then restart it. sometimes it worked, sometimes no

Maybe I should contact the city's public works or city engineer's office to find out what sensing system they're using and if it can be easily improved.

For the inductive sensors, your best bet is to either ride right over the loop, or ride slightly to the right of the loop and put your sidestand down on it. The sidestand trick will work better than any magnet--magnets will not affect induction loops any more than a non-magnetic block of metal will. Simply put, the sensor detects surface area. Putting your bike on the sidestand over the loop increases the surface area detected, making it more likely to trip the sensor.

I can't stress this enough. Magnets tripping inductive sensors is a myth. Save your money.

Quote from: RossLH on October 02, 2013, 09:01:51 PM
For the inductive sensors, your best bet is to either ride right over the loop, or ride slightly to the right of the loop and put your sidestand down on it. The sidestand trick will work better than any magnet--magnets will not affect induction loops any more than a non-magnetic block of metal will. Simply put, the sensor detects surface area. Putting your bike on the sidestand over the loop increases the surface area detected, making it more likely to trip the sensor.

I can't stress this enough. Magnets tripping inductive sensors is a myth. Save your money.

this is one reason ive not tried it. that and the law here. cept now with the danged photo cameras at redlights, it can be a tad more difficult. course on a goped, its not like they'll find out where I live lol.

Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on October 02, 2013, 09:12:23 PMcept now with the danged photo cameras at redlights

Check your local and state ordinances; some do not allow automatic cameras to be used for issuing tickets (by mail) for running a red light.  I know for a fact that in my state traffic cameras are not allowed for issuing citations but a lot of intersections have cameras for the timing and control of the stop lights.

Quote from: tmbr_wulf on October 02, 2013, 02:51:21 PM
The phrasing is a little BS, but that's how the news likes to hook us in.  Illinois has a similar law, but ours reads that you can pass through after waiting for 2 minutes.  I haven't had it happen yet but it seems that we should be able to proceed if you have a clear opening and the light is being stubborn.

2 minutes?  I haven't looked recently, but last I checked Illinois was worded, 'a reasonable amount of time' which basically left it up to the rider to decide how long was reasonable for the particular intersection and situation... one local officer and fellow rider interpreted that to say it was reasonable to use the this law more quickly in more extreme weather conditions such as high heat.  I remember some folks having an issue with the wording because it was left upto the rider, but I'm not sure it has actually changed from that original wording     But, I do use it myself rather often because there is a particular light near my house that will not change for most any bike unless a car pulls up behind.

- Bboy

YUP! One of my favorite 2 wheel laws, really helps when on the shredpeds- ~300lbs total(me and ped) doesn't trip a damn thing

2 cycles or 2 minutes and you're good to go in VA. I usually make it to 1 minute and find my opening haha

@Bboy.  I did a little more reading and it sounds like Quinn vetoed the original version of the bill which was written as "a reasonable amount of time."  It seems like when the legislature over-rode his veto the language was clarified to

Quote...within a reasonable period of time not less than 120 seconds...

I was able to find this in the State Vehicle Code http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=062500050HCh.+11+Art.+II&ActID=1815&ChapterID=49&SeqStart=107300000&SeqEnd=109900000, 625 ILCS 5/11-208.6.b.4.(c-6) [sorry, I'm not 100% sure how to site legal documents.]

SOB!!  It looks like I just tracked down the provision that says that a motorcycle can't be ticketed by an automated traffic law enforcement system for going through the red in this situation.   

Okay, here's the real deal, http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=062500050HCh.+11+Art.+III&ActID=1815&ChapterID=49&SeqStart=109900000&SeqEnd=111400000  And it is apparently not valid in Chicago due to the population stipulation.

QuoteIn municipalities with less than 2,000,000 inhabitants, after stopping as required by paragraph 1 or 2 of this subsection, the driver of a motorcycle or bicycle, facing a steady red signal which fails to change to a green signal within a reasonable period of time not less than 120 seconds because of a signal malfunction or because the signal has failed to detect the arrival of the motorcycle or bicycle due to the vehicle's size or weight, shall have the right to proceed, after yielding the right of way to oncoming traffic facing a green signal, subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign as required by Section 11-1204 of this Code.

Well there it is in black and white.  Thanks!  Aside from a cop actually watching you during the entire process, I'm not sure how they could 'time' you otherwise, but good to know what the law really is.  You can bet I'll continue to use it too. 

- Bboy

I agree.  As long as they're not there the entire time there's probably some doubt there that you could wiggle through in the event that they tried to call you on the 120 second rule.  What I would love to see is a motorcycle at the head of a line of traffic stopped at a long light just get up and go leaving all the cars sitting there.  While it could technically be legal it could bring some heat on the law if it were abused like that.

Here in AZ most lights operate with cameras.  They note a change in the image and assume there is a vehicle.  I like these over pressure or magnetic switches which are buggy at best.