A new law in Illinois declares that motorcycles and bicycles can run red lights, but only after waiting for a 'reasonable' amount of time.
The law was passed because motorcycles and push-bikes aren't heavy enough to trigger the traffic-light sensors and therefore can be left waiting until a heavier vehicle pulls up behind them.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
The new law states:
“After stopping, 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 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 subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign as required by section 11-1204 of this code.’’
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The word 'reasonable' has been open to debate and the police enforcing the law say riders should wait for two minutes until they head through the red light.
Why don't they just adapt the lights to acknowledge bikes, it's a bit dangerous leaving it to the judgement of individuals, everyones perception of '2 minutes'/'reasonable amount of time' will be different, depending on the level of impatience?
Someone told me that if you flash your headlights, when waiting at traffic lights, it encourages the lights to change, is that fact or myth?
The flashing at lights used to work years ago, not anymore .....apparently in UK, it's ok for bicycles to run red lights, Police sat the other day watching not one but 2 bikes go through and didnt bother, wonder if they would have been so lethargic if I had run it on the VFR...?
I thought cyclists had to abide by the rules of the road like any other road user, not go thro red lights?
That is so frustrating to know, especially when bikers are pulled up and rollocked for the slightest infringement.
Cyclists can just dismount and walk over the pedestrian crossing.
How impatient we Brits have become.
Got a few of these bike un-trigger friendly lights, drivers look at me like i'm mental trying to explain to them they need to move forward a bit to trigger sensors in road.
Alot of traffic lights don't work on weight pushing down on a sensor but on the amount of metal in a vehicle - so some motorbikes, it may not be enough to set off the detector, also can be affected by the angle you are moving over it. We have one on our automatic garage doors at work to exit the station and my bike will not always set it off.
you can go through faulty traffic lights (and if they are stuck on sequence ignoring your presence you can use this for your case) in the UK - In fact the highway code was updated along with the relevant section of the road traffic act a few years ago
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You MUST NOT move forward over the white line when the red light is showing. Only go forward when the traffic lights are green if there is room for you to clear the junction safely or you are taking up a position to turn right. If the traffic lights are not working, treat the situation as you would an unmarked junction and proceed with great care.
in most states in the good ole us of a allow all vehicles to turn right at a red light if the way is clear... when i lived out there i was forever getting shouted at for sitting there like a good girl... so this doesn't surprise me at all...
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