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[FNGw/08SERK]

Ever been itching to run a red light that just won't change? Kansas lawmakers think motorcycle riders should be able to do just that.

The Kansas House on Tuesday approved a bill that would allow bikers to run a red light if the signal "fails" to turn green after a "reasonable period of time." The proposal leaves the discretion in the hands of the motorcyclist, but is aimed at ensuring riders don't get trapped in perpetuity at intersections because of signals that either malfunction or don't detect the motorcycles.

Motorcycle riders testified this month that their bikes were often not big or heavy enough to trigger the sensors that cause red lights to switch. For fear that riders would have to choose between being stuck on the Kansas tundra or running a light and risking a ticket, they urged the legislature to approve the so-called "Dead Red" bill giving them a free pass. The riders testifying in support of the bill belonged to a group known as ABATE, or A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments.

"Cars and trucks have no problem with it, but motorcycles have always been an issue," Crawford County Sheriff's Deputy Bob Peters said, according to Fox 14. "You may be on a section or roadway where you may wait for five minutes and there may not be other traffic along to trigger the sensor."

Though Peters supported the bill, it was opposed by Kansas police organizations that want their officers, not motorcycle riders, to have the discretion. One Republican lawmaker unsuccessfully tried to strip the red-light provision, saying, "I see no skeletal remains of motorcyclists sitting at red lights that never change," according to The Wichita Eagle.

The bill passed the House Tuesday as part of a broader road safety package. The other component in the package would prohibit local jurisdictions from imposing extra fines on drivers for seat-belt violations. The bill kept the statewide fine at $5 -- that would eventually rise to $10 or $60 depending on the severity of the violation.

The language in the motorcycle bill also covered bicycle riders.


http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/02/23/kansas-house-approves-allowing-bikers-run-red-lights/?test=latestnews

[rydwHim]

Hmmm.  As a motorcycle rider in the great state of Kansas, I read this with mixed emotions.  I've seen far too many guys on crotch rockets doing wheel stands at 80 - 100+ mph down a two-lane road who might be tempted to abuse this.   I've sat at my share of lights and waited too. 

The Bill still has to pass the Senate. I think even if the Bill passes I'll stay parked at the red lights...just to be safe.  What would you think and do if your state passed a Bill like this?

[kiwihog]

Bring it on for California

[SBB]

What would you think and do if your state passed a Bill like this?

Same thing I do now.
I wait a reasonable period of time and when the traffic is clear I go.

SBB

[sadunbar]

Same thing I do now.
I wait a reasonable period of time and when the traffic is clear I go.

SBB

Me too...       What other choice is there if you don't trigger the light...       I've even done this with a squad car sitting behind me with no repercussions...

[SBB]

Me too...       What other choice is there if you don't trigger the light...        I've even done this with a squad car sitting behind me with no repercussions...

I have a 110, I can't sit at a light very long.
If I do I get that "WARNING WARNING heat destruction imminent" motor noise.
I have no choice, I make sure there's no traffic and go.

                         

SBB

[hogsty]

Too many lights around here don't detect a motorcycle.  Late at night is the worst, when the chance of having a car come up behind you and trip it is slim to none.  I wait more than a reasonable amount of time, then go.

[dlaws01]

Tennessee has had this law for several years now.  I don't remember it being that big of a deal here and have not personally seen any abuses of the law.  Where I live most lights are on a timer anyway but there are some that are activated by magnetic sensors in the pavement.  Usually you learn the lights that are a problem and treat them as a 4 way stop,  yielding of course to cross traffic.  The first time this happened to me after the law passed, I was waiting for a left turn signal.  On the second time it didn't change for me I proceeded to turn left through the red light. Half way through my turn I noticed the city police were stopped on the other side waiting for their light to turn green.  They just watched me as I rode on through and made no attempt to stop me.  Another reason why I love the wonderful state of Tennessee!

[duranh]

Bring it on for California

California already has a similar law I believe, something about waiting two cycles of the light and proceeding when it is safe to do so,
. It relates to the left turn lights. I think I lernt it when I was in driving school for doing 85 mph on Hwy 17.

[red ben59]

Same thing I do now.
I wait a reasonable period of time and when the traffic is clear I go.

SBB

Yea me too. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe South Carolina passed a similar law a year or two ago. dosen't matter I'm not going to let my chit blow up just cause the " light do'nt feel me".

[MIKEYTEE]

We did have this law pass down here a couple of years ago. I haven't had to use too often.
Mike
 

[DESERTBEAR54]

When I get stuck at a light that stays red I just put my kickstand down and the light detects the metal down from kickstand and turns green.

[tazmun]

Wisconsin pass that law I believe in 2008. You have to wait 45 seconds,
and then you can go.

[SERK3]

Tennessee has had this law for several years now.  I don't remember it being that big of a deal here and have not personally seen any abuses of the law.  Where I live most lights are on a timer anyway but there are some that are activated by magnetic sensors in the pavement.  Usually you learn the lights that are a problem and treat them as a 4 way stop,  yielding of course to cross traffic.  The first time this happened to me after the law passed, I was waiting for a left turn signal.  On the second time it didn't change for me I proceeded to turn left through the red light. Half way through my turn I noticed the city police were stopped on the other side waiting for their light to turn green.  They just watched me as I rode on through and made no attempt to stop me.  Another reason why I love the wonderful state of Tennessee!

I did not know about it being a law here in TN, But after a reasonable amount of time and traffic is clear I will go ahead a run the light.

[miker]

 

Easier than taking a right, bangin a ewey and making another right..