Seems too vague....

[doulos]

Your thoughts?
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/news/local/story/MO-Bikers-Could-Get-Green-Light-To-Run-Red-Lights/ZRMN-dHNXEaqTDblin5Kjw.cspx

[IZ]

Don't we already have the green light for this?!  If you sit there through 1 and it doesn't change..you can go through if no cars are coming.  I know I do!

[somegirl]

Seems poorly researched....

The biggest reason is that the motorcycles themselves aren't big enough or heavy enough to trip the sensors.

[Rameses]

In North Carolina, it's legal to run a red light on a bike if you sit there for 5 minutes without it changing.


Once in a while I forget to check what time I pulled up to the line and have to estimate how long I've been sitting there.   

[superjohn]

In North Carolina, it's legal to run a red light on a bike if you sit there for 5 minutes without it changing.


Once in a while I forget to check what time I pulled up to the line and have to estimate how long I've been sitting there.   

Riding through RTP you have to do that. Heck, sometimes you're sitting in a car waiting 5 minutes or more for the light to change.

[ab]

Agreed seems vague but a good start at least.
Last time I went on red after waiting for it about two cycles, I got stopped by  and had to explain myself.   Sent me off with a warning.  He explained that I can not do that and should go another way.  He is required to stop anyone that goes on red irregardless.  I did not want to try and explain that i would encounter the same thing likely at the next light and just went my merry way.

[Major Slow]

Minnesoa has a law that allows you to proceed after a reasonable time. I asked a policeman and he said after the second cycle it would be ok. Never been stopped but I have a light near home that doesn't change until a car pulls up behind me. I go through it fairly regularly,

[Statler]

For everyone who thinks their state has a specific exclusion for motorcycles, look it up, print it, and carry it with you.   Many people think there's a law that applies just because they heard it from someone.   Almost every state has their vehicle code online.

Here's Minnesota's for example:

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.

So Roseguy is corect for his application.   Worth carrying that with you regardless.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Suggestions on how to look up laws? I assume there's a website, but google is being obtuse.

[derby]

Suggestions on how to look up laws? I assume there's a website, but google is being obtuse.

googling "[state] vehicle code" works for me...

[Rameses]

I looked up the NC vehicle code and I was wrong...



...you only have to wait 3 minutes.   





(e)       Defense. â€" It shall be a defense to a violation of subâ€'subdivision (b)(2)a. of this section if the operator of a motorcycle, as defined in G.S. 20â€'4.01(27)d., shows all of the following:

(1)       The operator brought the motorcycle to a complete stop at the intersection or stop bar where a steady red light was being emitted in the direction of the operator.

(2)       The intersection is controlled by a vehicle actuated traffic signal using an inductive loop to activate the traffic signal.

(3)       No other vehicle that was entitled to have the rightâ€'ofâ€'way under applicable law was sitting at, traveling through, or approaching the intersection.

(4)       No pedestrians were attempting to cross at or near the intersection.

(5)       The motorcycle operator who received the citation waited a minimum of three minutes at the intersection or stop bar where the steady red light was being emitted in the direction of the operator before entering the intersection. (1937, c. 407, s. 120; 1941, c. 83; 1949, c. 583, s. 2; 1955, c. 384, s. 1; c. 913, s. 7; 1957, c. 65, s. 11; 1973, c. 507, s. 5; c. 1191; c. 1330, s. 22; 1975, c. 1; 1977, c. 464, s. 34; 1979, c. 298, s. 1; 1989, c. 285; 2004â€'141, ss. 1, 2; 2004â€'172, s. 2; 2006â€'264, s. 6; 2007â€'260, s. 1; 2007â€'360, ss. 2, 3.)

[Major Slow]

So Roseguy is corect(sic) for his application.   Worth carrying that with you regardless.

God.... Finally I was right about something. I'll have to show the Mrs.

[Statler]

God.... Finally I was right about something. I'll have to show the Mrs.

you know when it's a direct quote you don't have to point out the typos right?   nobody would think you missed the 'r'

[herm]

we must have every state covered on the DMF. lets get all the pertinent rules posted up here, and then stickied somewhere.

[ab]

me must have every state covered on the DMF. lets get all the pertinent rules posted up here, and then stickied somewhere.

Let me know when you are done with OH then