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Red Light Questionnaire for Motorcyclists
The "Inoperative
Traffic-Control Sensor Device for Motorcycles, Mopeds,
Bicycles and Other Lawful Light Duty Vehicles" Bill
Minnesota Has
One. Wisconsin has one. Georgia has one. Tennessee has
one.
Idaho has one. North Carolina just enacted one.
Washington, Oklahoma and South Carolina are trying to
pass one.
California's riders are the lamest, most pussified
riders in the land.
"For the waywardness of the simple will kill
them,
and the complacency
of fools will destroy them." ~Proverbs 1:32
Inoperative
Traffic-Control Sensor Device for
Motorcycles, Mopeds, Bicycles and Other Lawful Light
Duty Vehicles
Traffic signals change
when an insulated wire buried in the pavement at
an intersection detects a fluctuation in the
magnetic field caused by metal in a vehicle. Often,
motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles do not
contain enough metal to trip the induction loop
sensors which activate a cycle change of the
signal.
The following is a bill
proposed to amend the California Vehicle Code
relating to traffic control signals, so as to provide
that a driver of a motorcycle, moped, bicycle
or other lawful light duty vehicle may
proceed through a highway intersection controlled by a
traffic control device under certain circumstances
when a vehicle sensor fails to detect the vehicle
because of it's weight or size.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of law to the contrary, the driver
of a motorcycle, moped, bicycle or other lawful
light duty vehicle approaching an
intersection controlled by a traffic-control signal
utilizing a vehicle detection device that is
inoperative due to the weight or size of
the vehicle shall come to a full and complete
stop at the intersection and, after waiting for a
reasonable period of time for such traffic-control
signal to detect such a vehicle, may proceed with due
caution when it is safe to do so.
Click here to read Biker News Online's take
Similar Laws, Currently
Observed in California;
Right Turn on Red: C.V.C. 21453
(b) Except when a sign is in place prohibiting a
turn, a driver, after stopping as required by
subdivision (a), facing a steady circular red signal,
may turn right, or turn left from a one-way street
onto a one-way street. A driver making that turn shall
yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within
an adjacent crosswalk and to any vehicle that has
approached or is approaching so closely as to
constitute an immediate hazard to the driver, and
shall continue to yield the right-of-way to that
vehicle until the driver can proceed with reasonable
safety.
U-Turn in Residence
District: C.V.C. 22103
No person in a residence district shall make a
U-turn when any other vehicle is approaching from
either direction within 200 feet, except at an
intersection when the approaching vehicle is
controlled by an official traffic control device.
Flashing Signals C.V.C.
21457
Whenever an illuminated
flashing red or yellow light is used in a traffic
signal or with a traffic sign, it shall require
obedience by drivers as follows: (a) Flashing red
(stop signal): When a red lens is illuminated with
rapid intermittent flashes, a driver shall stop at a
clearly marked limit line, but if none, before
entering the crosswalk on the near side of the
intersection, or if none, then at the point nearest
the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view
of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway
before entering it, and the driver may proceed subject
to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop
sign.
Intersections
C.V.C. 21800
(d) (1) The driver of any vehicle approaching an
intersection which has official traffic control
signals that are inoperative shall stop at the
intersection, and may proceed with caution when it is
safe to do so. This subparagraph shall apply to
traffic control signals that become inoperative
because of battery failure.
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What California
Tried in 2002...
Read the
enrolled version of AB 2521 La Suer: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/asm/ab_2501-2550/ab_2521_bill_20020828_enrolled.html
Courtesy of Bill Bish and Coast to Coast Biker News; http://www.aimncom.com/mc_news/cst2cst/2002/1002.html
CALIFORNIA
GOVERNOR VETOES RED LIGHT BILL California Assembly
Bill 2521, introduced by Assembly Member Jay LaSuer
(R- County of San Diego), would have required all new
and replacement traffic-actuated signal devices to
recognize motorcycles and bicycles, as well as new
lighter cars, but was vetoed by Governor Gray Davis.
The
bill passed through the legislature without opposition
in both the Senate and the Assembly, but was doomed to
defeat when it reached the governor's desk on
September 18.
"Now
that is unconscionable!," exclaimed Nancy Nemecek,
chairman of the board for ABATE of California.
"If any motorcycle rider was on the fence about
Davis, this should show his true colors," she
said in reference to the upcoming gubernatorial
election in the Golden State.
From the Desk of
Governor Gray Davis...
SEP 18, 2002 To Members of the California State
Assembly: I am returning Assembly Bill 2521 without my
signature. This bill would require that any traffic
signal that is installed or replaced be equipped with
detectors that are capable of detecting bicycles and
motorcycles as well as other motor vehicles. While I
recognize the merits of this measure, I am vetoing
this bill because it would result in unknown
reimbursable state-mandated costs on local government
by requiring them to install these new detectors. I
would also note that local governments and the
Department of Transportation are already free to use
the detectors required in this bill. Sincerely, GRAY
DAVIS
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What Minnesota Did in 2000...
New
Minnesota Red Light Law. Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section
169.06, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 9. [AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE RELATING TO UNCHANGING
TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL.]
(a) A person
operating a motorcycle who violates subdivision 4 by
entering or crossing an intersection controlled by a
traffic-control signal against a red light has an
affirmative defense to that charge if the person
establishes all of the following conditions:
(1) the
motorcycle has been brought to a complete stop;
(2) the
traffic-control signal continues to show a red light
for an unreasonable time;
(3) the
traffic-control signal is apparently malfunctioning
or, if programmed or engineered to change to a green
light only after detecting the approach of a motor
vehicle, the signal has apparently failed to detect
the arrival of the motorcycle; and
(4) no motor
vehicle or person is approaching on the street or
highway to be crossed or entered or is so far away
from the intersection that it does not constitute an
immediate hazard.
(b) The affirmative defense
in this subdivision applies only to a violation for
entering or crossing an intersection controlled by a
traffic-control signal against a red light and does
not provide a defense to any other civil or criminal
action.
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What
Tennessee Did in 2003...
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the
contrary, the driver of a motorcycle approaching an
intersection, which is controlled by a
traffic-control signal utilizing a vehicle detection
device that is inoperative due to the size of the
motorcycle, shall come to a full and complete stop
at the intersection and, after exercising due care
as provided by law, may proceed with due caution
when it is safe to do so. It is not a defense to a
violation of § 55-8-109 that the driver of a
motorcycle proceeded under the belief that a
traffic-control signal utilized a vehicle detection
device or was inoperative due to the size of the
motorcycle when such signal did not utilize a
vehicle detection device or that any such device or
was not in-fact inoperative due to the size of the
motorcycle. Signed on August 14, 2003
See: http://www.state.tn.us/sos/acts/103/pub/pc0266.pdf
HB1054/SB1200
- "Stop Light Bill" - A new state law
allows motorcyclists to "proceed when it is
safe to do so" through traffic signals which
have 'mal-functioning vehicle detection devices'.
The legislation was intended to allow bikers to
treat traffic signals with defective "ground
loop" detectors as four way stops, not
"run red lights" as the national press
portrayed. An amendment was added which states that,
if a signal does not have a defective detection
device, you can not use the law as a defense. After
passing both the House and Senate by a large margin
the Governor signed this into law. It became
effective July 1, 2003.
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What Idaho Did in 2006...
Riders in Idaho changed Section
49-802 of the Idaho Code to read:
(e)
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the
contrary, the driver of a motorcycle
approaching an intersection that is controlled by a
triggered traffic-control signal using a vehicle
detection device that is inoperative due to the size
of the motorcycle, shall come to a full and complete
stop at the intersection. If the signal fails to
operate after one cycle of the traffic signal, the
driver may proceed after exercising due caution and
care. It is not a defense to a violation of section
49-801, Idaho Code, that the driver of a motorcycle
proceeded under the belief that a traffic-control
signal used a vehicle detection device or was
inoperative due to the size of the motorcycle when
such signal did not use a vehicle detection
device or that any such device was not in fact
inoperative due to the size of the motorcycle.
See:
http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/2006/S1367.html
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What Georgia
Did in 2005...
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Part
2 of Article 13 of Chapter 6 of Title 40 of the
Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
motorcycles, is amended by adding a new Code
Section 40-6-312.1 to read as follows:
"40-6-312.1.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of law to the contrary, the
driver of a motorcycle approaching an
intersection controlled by a traffic-control
signal utilizing a vehicle detection device that
is inoperative due to the size of the motorcycle
shall come to a full and complete stop at the
intersection and, after waiting for a reasonable
period of time for such traffic-control signal
to detect such motorcycle, may proceed with due
caution when it is safe to do so."
SECTION 2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act
are repealed.
See: http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/fulltext/hb141.htm
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What Wisconsin Did
in 2006...
A red light bill that includes
bicycles and mopeds. During the Assembly
Transportation Committee hearing there was a lot
of discussion that the 30 second wait was too
short at a red light and that other low steel
content vehicles were not included, such as
mopeds and bicycles. Taking all that into
consideration the time was changed to 45 seconds
and bicycles and mopeds were included.
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Top
What
North Carolina Did in 2007...
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 2 AN ACT TO
PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION TO G.S. 20-158 RELATING TO
3 MOTORCYCLES AND TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNALS
ACTIVATED BY 4 VEHICLE DETECTION DEVICES. 5 The
General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 6
SECTION 1. G.S. 20-158 is amended by adding a
new subsection to read: 7 "(e) The driver
of a motorcycle approaching an intersection that
is controlled by a 8 triggered traffic-control
signal using a vehicle detection device that is
inoperative due to 9 the size of the motorcycle,
shall come to a full and complete stop at the
intersection. If 10 the signal fails to operate
after one cycle of the traffic signal, the
driver may proceed 11 after exercising due
caution and care to determine that no motor
vehicle or person is 12 approaching on the
street or highway to be crossed or entered or is
so far away from the 13 intersection that it
does not constitute an immediate hazard. It is
not a defense to a 14 violation of this section
that the driver of a motorcycle proceeded under
the belief that a 15 traffic-control signal used
a vehicle detection device or was inoperative
due to the size 16 of the motorcycle when the
signal did not in fact use a vehicle detection
device or the 17 device was not in fact
inoperative due to the size of the
motorcycle." 18 SECTION 2. This act becomes
effective September 1, 2007, and applies to 19
violations occurring on or after that date.
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What
Missouri Attempted in 2006...
AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE FOR
PROCEEDING THROUGH REDLIGHT WITH A MOTORCYCLE
("DEAD RED")- This act provides that a
person operating a motorcycle who enters or
crosses an intersection controlled by a
traffic-control signal against a red light shall
have an affirmative defense to that charge if
the person establishes all of the following
conditions:
(1)
The motorcycle has been brought to a complete
stop;
(2)
The traffic signal continues to show a red light
for an unreasonable time;
(3)
The traffic signal is apparently malfunctioning
or, if programmed or engineered to change to a
green light only after detecting the approach of
a motor vehicle, the signal has apparently
failed to detect the arrival of the motorcycle;
and
(4)
No motor vehicle or person is approaching on the
street or highway to be crossed or entered or is
so far away from the intersection that it does
not constitute an immediate hazard.
The
affirmative defense applies only to a violation
for entering or crossing an intersection
controlled by a traffic-control signal against a
red light and does not provide a defense to any
other civil or criminal action (Section
304.281).
See: http://www.senate.mo.gov/06info/bts_web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=64539
What
Washington Did in 2005-2006...
HB 1466 -Allowing
motorcycles to stop and proceed through traffic
signals.
"NEW
SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added
to chapter 46.61 RCW to read
as follows:
Notwithstanding any provision
of law to the contrary, the operator of a street
legal motorcycle approaching a left turn
intersection that is controlled by a triggered
traffic control signal using a vehicle detection
device that is inoperative due to the size of
the street legal motorcycle shall come to a full
and complete stop at the intersection. If the
left turn signal fails to operate after one
cycle of the traffic signal, then while cross
traffic is stopped the operator may, after
exercising due care, proceed to turn left.
Motorcycle operators planning to make such turns
shall remain stopped to allow other vehicles
lawfully within or approaching the intersection
control area to complete their movements.
Motorcycle operators planning to make such turns
shall also remain stopped for pedestrians who
are lawfully in the intersection control area as
required by RCW 46.61.235(1). It is not a
defense to a violation of RCW 46.61.050 that the
driver of a motorcycle proceeded under the
belief that a traffic control signal used a
vehicle detection device or was inoperative due
to the size of the motorcycle when the signal
did not use a vehicle detection device or that
any such device was not in fact inoperative due
to the size of the motorcycle. NEW SECTION. Sec.
2. This act takes effect September 1,
2006."
Hear the
bill in committee: http://www.tvw.org/search/sitesearch.cfm?keywords=HB%201466&Date=2006
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Top
What South
Carolina Will Try in 2007...
S 0111 General Bill, By
Leventis and Knotts
See
the 2006 bill text: http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/bills/1027.htm
http://www.abatesc.com/releases/2006-02-09-trafficsensors.php
Just the ‘Red Light’ Facts: Inductive Loop
Detectors and Motorcycles (Columbia) ABATE has
worked with Representative Hosey and others to
introduce a house companion bill H 4631 to the
senate bill S 1027. H 4631 was introduced today
with 27 sponsors.
With
the debate underway in South Carolina regarding
how a motorcyclist should respond when stuck at a
red light that does not recognize that a
motorcycle is awaiting a signal change, it is
important to understand how a traffic light sensor
functions. Traffic light sensors are not scales.
They are inductive loops. The inductive loop is a
vehicle sensor that is simply a coil of wire
embedded in the road surface. An electronic module
in the traffic signal control cabinet sends a
signal through the loop. When a mass of ferrous
metal passes over the loop, a shift in the
electrical signal will occur. If the shift
detected is sufficient, the module tells the
computer that a vehicle is present. The key point
is the mass of metal must be great enough to
overcome a threshold. Only ferrous metal objects
above the threshold are detected.
Traffic
lights in cities in high traffic areas often
operate on timers instead of detectors. However
detectors are common in the suburbs and on country
roads. They may detect when a car arrives at an
intersection to trigger a light change or when too
many cars are waiting at an intersection to
control the length of the light. Detectors are
often used to detect when cars have entered a turn
lane in order to activate the arrow light.
Currently
in the South Carolina Senate, is a bill (S-1027)
co-sponsored by Senators Phil Leventis, D-Sumter,
and Jake Knotts, R-West Columbia, which would let
motorcyclists in South Carolina treat a red light
as a stop sign after a predetermined amount of
time, if the inductive loop fails to detect the
mass of a motorcycle. A House version of S-1027 is
expected to be introduced in the near future.
ABATE
of SC is dedicated to educating motorcyclists,
motorists, and the general public regarding the
issues surrounding this proposed legislation and
remain ready to answer questions from the media
and the legislators.
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What we can expect from
the public...
This was found on a popular blog;
"While I can sympathize with the (motor)
cyclists this still strikes me as a really bad idea.
Still at least one other state, Minnesota, has a
similar law and was the model for Tennessee’s
version. I suppose if a bad idea is good enough for
Minnesota then it’s good enough for Tennessee.
State cops don’t like the new law and neither does
the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Can’t
say I blame them, but it should at least make for a
real bang-up time in Tennessee."
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Motorcyclists
can run red lights July 1
2003-06-07
The Associated Press
KNOXVILLE -- Beginning July 1, Tennessee
motorcyclists can legally run red lights -- if they
stop first and ``exercise due care'' -- under a bill
signed into law by Gov. Phil Bredesen.
Motorcyclists
had complained they were forced to wait excessive
periods of time at stop lights because sensors that
control the lights did not recognize motorcycles,
which are now made mostly of aluminum and
fiberglass, not metal.
For
Nashville area resident and motorcyclist Steve
Lundwall, the law can't begin too soon.
``Sometimes,
I put down the kickstand and just wait (at a
stoplight),'' said Lundwall, a business analyst in
Nashville and state director of Concerned
Motorcyclists of Tennessee.
His
group helped push the bill through the Legislature.
The new
law isn't as popular with the state's law
enforcement and transportation community, who say it
will be difficult to enforce.
``It
almost takes it out of our hands to write a ticket
for motorcycles running a red light,'' said Lt. Bob
Lyons of Nashville's Traffic Division. ``How do we
know if he's been sitting there or not?''
Sgt.
Jeff Keeter, a motorcycle officer in Nashville for
six years, said he's felt the frustration of being
stuck at red lights but thinks the law may cause
accidents.
``We'll
have motorcycles trying to cross six lanes. ...
Working traffic collisions, I don't have much
confidence in drivers or riders.
``I
can't believe this was even considered.''
The
governor signed the bill because ``ultimately, the
research did not show an increased safety risk,''
Bredesen spokeswoman Lydia Lenker said.
At least
one other state, Minnesota, has passed a similar
law, the model for Tennessee's statute, said Wayne
Shaub of Brentwood, legislative chairman for
Concerned Motorcyclists of Tennessee.
Bill
Moore, chief engineer with the Tennessee Department
of Transportation, earlier told a Senate committee
there could be safety concerns. The Senate passed
the bill 28-1 last month.
``We
don't want to see anyone injured or killed. We don't
have the greatest safety record in Tennessee, and we
don't think this would improve it,'' Moore said.
``They're trading convenience for some safety
issues.''
In 2000,
there were 1,751 accidents involving motorcycles,
with 65 fatalities. Fatalities could include
pedestrians or motorists involved in the crash,
Moore said.
Tennessee
Department of Transportation did not take an
official position on the bill and has not done
in-depth research on it, TDOT Commissioner Gerald
Nicely said.
Some
senators, concerned the measure would give
motorcyclists license to run red lights, added an
amendment to tighten the law. It says bikers cannot
use the law as a defense to run any red light they
want by saying they believed the light was
controlled by sensors that did not recognize their
motorcycles.
Sen. Bill Clabough,
R-Maryville, sponsored the bill.
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A
significant number of intersections are now
controlled by detectors that only cycle the light
when they detect the presence of a vehicle. The most
common form of vehicle detection is a magnetic
induction loop connected to a detector. This is
simply a wire loop embedded into the pavement of
each lane at the stop bar that extends back 20, 40
or 60 feet. When a vehicle is over the loop, the
signal for that movement is "triggered" or
called. Once a green light appears, the signal will
stay green as long as it needs to, up to a set
maximum amount of time. If only one or two vehicles
are present then the green may last for 6 seconds or
so. If 15 vehicles are present then it may stay
green for 30 seconds or so. If no vehicles are
present, the signal will not cycle to that movement.
These loops work by detecting the presence of
ferrous metal over the loop. The more iron or steel
there is in the vehicle, the more likely the
detector is to detect the vehicle.
Unfortunately,
most motorcycles do not have enough steel in them to
trigger the detectors. In effect, the stop light
doesn't know you are there and doesn't cycle for
you. You either have to wait for a car to pull up
with you, wait for the timing cycle to complete so
you get a green light, or turn around and find a
different intersection. None of these are very good
solutions.
One
creative solution was recently enacted by the
Tennessee state legislature. Beginning July 1,
Tennessee motorcyclists can legally run red lights,
if they stop first and exercise due care. At least
one other state, Minnesota, has passed a similar
law, which acted as the model for Tennessee's
statute. Other states and cities have been replacing
the induction loop detectors with new technology
that uses microwaves or cameras to detect the
presence of vehicles. Most of these newer methods
would detect motorcycles.
Of course, new
detectors would cost more money, something that most
cities and counties aren't willing to do these days.
So the next time you get stopped by a really long
light, realize that the light won't change until the
detector does.
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3. Lisa
Asks: Can Motorcyclists Go Through Red Lights?
I was told that if a motorcycle has a red light at a
four way stop light, and there is NO TRAFFIC, it is
okay for the motorcyclist to proceed through the
light, regardless of direction, i.e. left turn,
straight through the intersection.
This can't be true, can it?? ~Lisa
Dear Lisa,
It is only partially true. It's still illegal to
blow off a red light, but if a rider is ticketed for
doing so, he or she may have a legal defense. See
below for the full text of the statute, passed in
2003:
Sec. 42. Minnesota
Statutes 2000, section 169.06, is amended by
adding a subdivision to read: Subd. 9. [AFFIRMATIVE
DEFENSE RELATING TO UNCHANGING TRAFFIC CONTROL
SIGNAL.]
(a) A person operating a motorcycle who violates
subdivision 4 by entering or crossing an
intersection controlled by a traffic-control signal
against a red light has an affirmative defense to
that charge if the person establishes all of the
following conditions:
(1) the motorcycle has been brought to a complete
stop;
(2) the traffic-control signal continues to show a
red light for an unreasonable time;
(3) the traffic-control signal is apparently
malfunctioning or, if programmed or engineered to
change to a green light only after detecting the
approach of a motor vehicle, the signal has
apparently failed to detect the arrival of the
motorcycle; and
(4) no motor vehicle or person is approaching on the
street or highway to be crossed or entered or is so
far away from the intersection that it does not
constitute an immediate hazard.
(b) The affirmative defense in this subdivision
applies only to a violation for entering or crossing
an intersection controlled by a traffic-control
signal against a red light and does not provide a
defense to any other civil or criminal action.
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It is legal in all 50
states, and it was actually specifically exempted
from the terms of a law recently passed in Illinois
meant to forbid the use of MIRT's. (Mobile Infra Red
Transmitter for emergency vehicles)
You can also find
the Green Light Trigger HP at www.gordosgear.com
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Technically,
when a signal isn't functioning properly for all
traffic, a motorcyclist should contact Cal Trans or
the local authorities and ask to have the traffic
signal re-calibrated.
A red
light bill for motorcyclists could save state and
local road crews hundreds of thousands of dollars
in recalibration and maintenance costs. As
it is now, if we complain about a signal
needing recalibration, they need to send a
crew out and fix it. The state could save that
money by allowing motorcycles to proceed when it
is safe and prudent to do so, with no vehicles
within 200 feet.
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When we
find an "Author" from the State
Assembly or the State Senate, eventually we'll get a
bill number. At that time, letters, emails,
faxes and personal visits begin. YOU are the most
important part here. YOU must take action or
the bill will DIE! This is a friendly
"non-partisan" bill and most legislators
are looking to please people (constituents) who take
the time to meet with them personally, as those
interactions most usually translate into votes.
On THIS issue...we
need ALL motorcycle organizations, moped
organizations and bicycle organizations on board.
The key benefits
are that we develop relationships. We create a
rapport with legislative council. We re-build our
base...stronger than before. We achieve. We make
things happen. Membership goes up. The world is
good. And I'm not sitting at a stop light for five
minutes...as my "quality of life"
diminishes.
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An
intelligent hybrid utilizing the Minnesota
and Tennessee versions, at the same time utilizing
much of the same language from an already
existing California law on making a safe
U-Turn or making a Right Turn on Red.
U-Turn in Residence
District: C.V.C. 22103
.
No person in a residence district shall make a
U-turn when any other vehicle is approaching from
either direction within 200 feet, except at an
intersection when the approaching vehicle is
controlled by an official traffic control device.
Right Turn on Red: C.V.C.
21453
(b) Except when a sign is in place prohibiting a
turn, a driver, after stopping as required by
subdivision (a), facing a steady circular red
signal, may turn right, or turn left from a
one-way street onto a one-way street. A driver
making that turn shall yield the right-of-way to
pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk
and to any vehicle that has approached or is
approaching so closely as to constitute an
immediate hazard to the driver, and shall continue
to yield the right-of-way to that vehicle until
the driver can proceed with reasonable safety.
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=veh&group=21001-22000&file=21450-21468
U-Turn, unobstructed
view: C.V.C. 22105. No person shall make a U-turn
upon any highway where the driver of such vehicle
does not have an unobstructed view for 200 feet in
both directions along the highway and of any
traffic thereon.
From the DMV Driver's
Handbook: Right
turn against a red light. Signal and stop
for a red traffic light at the limit line or at
the corner. If there is no sign to prohibit the
turn, you may turn right. Yield to pedestrians,
bicyclists or other vehicles moving on their green
light.
There are also
statutes regarding the "dark signal"....
Dark
Signal: When a traffic
signal goes dark, due to loss of electricity, it
is considered to function the same way as a
four-way stop intersection. A driver
shall STOP before entering the intersection.
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From a Virginia DOT
Motorcycle safety brochure: "Traffic lights
that sometimes do not detect smaller vehicles can
present another challenge for motorcyclists. If a
traffic light does not turn green within a
reasonable time period, and there is no approaching
traffic coming from behind, the motorcyclist should
roll the throttle on and off a few times, revving
the engine. The added power may be sufficient to
disrupt the electrical field. If not, turn the
motorcycle off and restart it. The electrical field
created by the starter should disrupt the sensor
field and trigger the sensor."
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