Triumphrat

macstuf · 12-02-2007

Starting December 1st., in NC we as motorcycle riders can proceed through a red traffic light. (if the sensors buried in underneath the pavement do not react to our bikes presence) We must come to a complete stop and wait at least three minutes. The intersection must be free of any vehicles that are entitled to the right of way then we can carefully proceed in any direction. The new law sure has a good number of people angry at the legislature for passing that new law. The local newspaper took a rather negative view of the law claiming it will put a greater burden on the police departments saying that the police will have difficulty knowing whether a motorcyclist has been waiting at least three minutes. Boy, this whole thing seems like so much BS! It doesn't happen often but there are times when my bike doesn't trip the traffic light sensors and doing a "right on red" move would put me going in all the wrong directions causing me to negotiate even more traffic moves than should be necessary! I can also see where some riders may abuse the new rule and perhaps use the law just to go when they want to. What is the feeling of the group here?

JKDJose · 12-02-2007

I think it's a good idea considering that even with a green light trigger many still do not trip for me.

I have been stuck sometimes for over 10 minutes or more at a light waiting to go left.

After 10 minutes I go through it anyway.

As long as you are not on a crotch rocket, most cops are pretty cool about it since mostly all of them in my area also ride motorcycles.

To me it's been way overdue.

Hamr Mark · 12-02-2007

That happened to me. Waiting, waiting and more waiting, until I gave up, checked all ways for cops, and cars, and ran the red. But for me it was 21:00 with no traffic.

You know people will do a stop, look and go, and not wait the 3 mins. Although I can see the point of it, I have a feeling, it will just get the cagers more pissed at the bikes, and their riders. 'Well, if a bike runs a red, why can't I?'
This sounds like a can of worms that I am glad I am NOT invloved in.

We have a new law up here, (Ontario) for speeders. If you are caught doing 50km over the limit, (100km/h on the highway = roughly 55/60mp/h) you face a minimum $2000 fine, your ride (car/bike whatever) is towed away at the scene and stored for a week. So on top of your min $2000 fine, you pay impound fees, licence re-instatement, and a HUGE insurance increase.

So, at least that puts everyone on the same level. But with your bikes 'running' reds...

You have to keep me updated on this, I am interested to see how this plays out.

BishRat · 12-02-2007

This is not a unique problem. There is a specific problem with current legislation, it's identified and corrected with supplementary legislation, which, in turn creates more specific problems.

It is impossible to legislate for each and every traffic situation. We have become a society that requires specific legislation for every possible set of circumstances... this necessitates masses of incoherent and sometimes contradictory rules. Also, as the legislation becomes more and more specific, the amount of loopholes increase exponentially... requiring, you guessed it, more legislation to plug the loopholes.

The biggest mess at the moment is the inability of the system to address the cellphone-while-driving problem. The laws are riddled with loopholes & exceptions. It seems beyond our capabilities (at least in NY) to enact a law that say, in effect, "you will not use a hand-held phone while driving". The lawyers crawl out of their pits and want definition as to whether this means when talking or dialing, exceptions for emergencies etc. etc. etc.

Back in the seventies (living in the UK) it seemed so much simpler. There were catch-all laws that escalated... "driving without due care and attention" ... "careless driving" ... "dangerous driving". You didn't need a specific law that stated "you will not eat a burger while driving" and then get a lawyer to get you off because it was a hot-dog.

In this specific case, common sense should prevail. Why can't there be a law that simply states... "in the event of apparent failure of automated traffic control systems, the vehicle operator should proceed through the intersection with caution."

Nah... the lawyers wouldn't let that happen, now would they?

vertwrks · 12-02-2007

I have always made sure there were no police around when I went ahead and ran the light but it is good to have this law on the books. Maybe it will spread south a state and help me out!

Anyone ever had any lick with the magnets you attach to the bottom of the bike to help trip the sensor??????? A friend just installed one yesterday and I had never looked into them to see if they were worth it or not.

BBR · 12-02-2007

I am pretty sure we have that law here in OR, and I think it is a good idea. I don't want to get to a light that wont change (which I have around here) and not see Johnny Law when I decide to go. Fortunately, up to this point there has always been a car that showed up behind me and I waved them forward and onto the sensor.

BBR

Geimer · 12-02-2007

Well.....
I've run the red lights too. Only when it was completely safe and mostly after waiting through the complete cycle. I did not wait three minutes or 10 minutes or 21 minutes or anything like that. I don't know how they work the lights though. Sometimes the cycles seem to vary if nothing is tripping the switch. I'm in Missouri and I'm sure it is completely illegal to do this though. I'm interested in seeing how this plays out too.
BTY. I have been able to make the switch trip by rolling forward, and, while ensuring my front tire is directly on the switch, applying the front brake kinda hard. Most of the time it works. Sometime it does not.

uzidzit · 12-02-2007

Here you must wait two complete cycles of the lights and if you get no left you may proceed with due caution. And this works well. For All the red light runners, Your practice is moving to more and more people these days, and took the life of a relative about 15 years ago, He was a MC cop and hit by a red light runner in a car, if you endorse this, I sincerely hope you get run down before you kill someone else.

tccox · 12-02-2007

Warning. This new law WILL NOT prevent you from getting a ticket, the purpose of the law is to allow you a defense when or if you go to court. Cause after all, there's no way a policemen can know if you waited three minutes or not. I think the laws gonna get some folks killed and IMHO the law is un-necessary. In all my years of street riding I've never failed to trip a light by just crossing the sensors as slowly as possible and usually weaving slightly over the sensors. I predict the NC legislature is gonna repeal this one real quickly.

Kframe · 12-02-2007

I actually think this law promotes safety.

It is not good to be a lone bike sitting at a deserted intersection - just waiting to get rear-ended by a car that "didn't see you waiting".

We have this provision here in MN and I've not heard of increased fatalities related to it.

$.02, -K