Traffic Light Question For Motorcycles

[Zip]

States where motorcycles can run red lights legally

[h=1]States where motorcycles can run red lights legally[/h]
This is from 2015 cannot find a newer one but I know states have been added.



https://www.thestreet.com/story/13227983/1/states-where-motorcycles-can-run-red-lights-legally.html

 

[wyliec]

I saw a similar explanation and solution as in the link below on a tv program. (I think it was something like Life Hacks or a reasonable facsimile thereof.) Anyway, it works. Riding in town has just been soooo much better since thenhyea:. I didn't put the 3 magnets on with tape, but I think I will. Just in case.

https://mods-n-hacks.gadgethacks.com/how-to/trigger-traffic-lights-change-from-red-green-78256/

Or https://youtu.be/8GAacxGiV4A

I have a large magnet that I purchased from someone on here that sold them; it was specifically for the aforementioned purpose. Once the magnet was in place I tried to move it, and couldn't. Sometimes it works, and other times not, depending on the sensitivity of the loop. I have one light in my area that it absolutely will not work on, for that one I take a right hand turn.

 

[Bob Denman]

I wonder if the Magic Mounts will make a difference? :dontknow:
Truthfully: I've never had trouble with triggering those sensors... :thumbup:

Is there a difference between the various models of Spyders?

 

[Grandpot]

Law

In many states you can run the red light under certain conditions. Here is an article about the law in Wisconsin. http://archive.jsonline.com/news/tr...s-the-law-sometimes-b9984295z1-221369311.html

It's legal.

 

[missouriboy]

I wonder if such magnets, or the placement of them, would confuse the Nanny in any way? Sensors, y'know... :dontknow:

Also, that video in today's first post alluded to a problem with the Neodymium magnet getting rusty... I wonder if dipping it in a can of shellac or varnish might solve that problem?

 

[billybovine]

I wonder if such magnets, or the placement of them, would confuse the Nanny in any way? Sensors, y'know... :dontknow:

No

 

[stevencovert]

My two cents..

One state (I forget - Arizona maybe??) just passed a law for motorcycles to turn left on red. It is a common problem. The buried wires respond to large metal over them, disrupting the magnetic field.

One way to REALLY help (IMHO) is searching for a strong thin magnet to pop onto the frame under the :spyder2:. I had one on my Harley a while back, it was about 1/2" thick and 3" long. The ad said it was made for motorcycles - probably some smart person with marketing skills bought a box full from China and put them on Ebay. Hmm... not a bad idea!

Any ways the strong magnet will trigger the signal (most times). I am looking for a spot on the underside to attach a magnet on my RTS, then going to find one that fills the space for the most "power". Trying not to use the long backbone, as the magnet would probably get knocked off in a parking lot on a speed bump. With the bump skid, not much room under there for anything!

Maybe a handful of those Magic Mirror magnets would work! Those things are super strong:clap: group them up tight somewhere. Maybe the people at Magic Mirrors could try out this theory! :bowdown:

 

[SPYD3R]

SMART

most of todays traffic lights are SMART LIGHTS.... they read what's in front of them, and a SPYD3R is not enough mass for the lights to register you are there... however, these SMART LIGHTS also look for 'LIGHTS'... I found that flashing my BRIGHTS will trigger the SMART LIGHTS to acknowledge my presents...
Dan P
SPYD3R

 

[BlueKnight]

States with safe-on-red laws

Arkansas – In effect since 2005, state law allows a motorcyclist to proceed with caution, after coming to a full and complete stop, through a red light that fails to detect the bike. (Arkansas Code section 27-52-206)

Idaho – (2006) If a signal fails to operate after one cycle of the traffic light that a motorcyclist may proceed, using due caution and care, after coming to a full and complete stop at the intersection. (Statute 49-802)

Illinois – (2012) Permits a driver of a motorcycles or bicycle facing a red light that fails to change within a reasonable period of time of not less than 120 seconds to proceed after yielding the right-of-way to any oncoming traffic. However, this law doesn’t apply to municipalities of over 2,000,000 people – such as Chicago. (625 ILCS 5/11-306)

Minnesota – (2002) A person operating a bicycle or motorcycle who runs a red light has an affirmative defense if the driver first came to a complete stop, the traffic light stayed red for an unreasonable amount of time and appeared not to detect the vehicle and no motor vehicles or people were approaching the street. (Statute 169.06)

Missouri – (2009) State law tells both motorcyclists and bicyclists that run red lights that they have an affirmative defense if they brought their vehicle to a complete stop, the light was red for an unreasonable time period, and there were no motor vehicle or person approaching. (Statute 304.285)

Nevada – (2013) Those using motorcycles, bicycles, mopeds, and tri-mobiles are allowed to proceed through an intersection with a red light after waiting for two traffic light cycles, and they yield to other vehicle traffic or pedestrians. (Statute 484B.307)

North Carolina – (2007) Motorcyclists are permitted to move cautiously through a steady red light after coming to a complete stop and waiting a minimum of three minutes and if no other vehicle or pedestrians are approaching the intersection. (NCGS 20-158)

Oklahoma – (2010) Motorcycles can proceed cautiously through a steady red light intersection after a making a complete stop and if no other motor vehicle or person is approaching the roadway. (Statute 47-11-202)

South Carolina – (2008) After making a complete stop and waiting for a minimum of 120 seconds, the driver of a motorcycle, moped, or bicycle may treat a steady red light that doesn’t change as a stop sign and proceed with caution. (S.C. Code 56-5-970)

Tennessee – (2003) After coming to a complete stop, motorcyclists and bicyclists may proceed through a steady red light when it is safe to do so. (Tennessee Traffic Control Signals 55-8-110)

Virginia – (2011) Drivers of motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles may move with caution through non-responsive red lights as long as they yield the right-of-way to others approaching the intersection, and have come to a complete stop for two complete light cycles or 120 seconds, whichever is shorter.(Statute 46-2-833)

Wisconsin – (2006) A motorcycle, moped or bicycle is permitted to run a steady red light after making a complete stop and waiting at least 45 seconds and then yields the right–of-way to any vehicular traffic or pedestrians using the intersection. (Statute 346.37)

In early 2013, Nebraska introduced Bill LB 85 proposing a safe-on-red law, but the bill currently has a status of “indefinitely postponed.”

 

[Bob Denman]

Thanks for the list! :thumbup:
But there will always be situations in which trying to get through an uncooperative light, will put your life in peril... nojoke

:lecturef_smilie: NEVER approach this tactic lightly, and always pretend that you are invisible! :shocked:

 

[greybeard]

Lights used to be triggered by a beam on the post on the corner, then they improved it

 

[wyliec]

most of todays traffic lights are SMART LIGHTS.... they read what's in front of them, and a SPYD3R is not enough mass for the lights to register you are there... however, these SMART LIGHTS also look for 'LIGHTS'... I found that flashing my BRIGHTS will trigger the SMART LIGHTS to acknowledge my presents...
Dan P
SPYD3R

I'm going to give this a shot. Like I said in my previous post, there is one light in particular that I can't get past, except with a right turn. Of course, I'll have to do this with no one behind that may activate the light changing.

 

[Firefly]

I'm going to give this a shot. Like I said in my previous post, there is one light in particular that I can't get past, except with a right turn. Of course, I'll have to do this with no one behind that may activate the light changing.

If you see the wires buried in the pavement... they're pretty obvious... then lights won't help.. nor will jumping up and down as someone mentioned. There simply isn't enough metal to trip the sensor. The magnets can help, but are not 100% effective. I have one that I have to go through quite often and if there's not a car in front of me then I won't try and take the turn.. will go straight and cut through a gas station after the intersection instead.

 

[gkamer]

Interesting question

There are plates in the pavement which are activated by the weight of the vehicle to control the lights. Sometimes a motorcycle is not heavy enough to activate the plate. Here in Washington, a while back, they passed a law that allows motorcycles to treat a red turn arrow like a stop sign after one full cycle of the traffic lights.

 

[billybovine]

I'm going to give this a shot. Like I said in my previous post, there is one light in particular that I can't get past, except with a right turn. Of course, I'll have to do this with no one behind that may activate the light changing.

A couple years ago called the public works dept. in a local city, responsible for maintaining a problem traffic light. A couple days later they called me back a said the sensitivity was adjusted and to let them know if it solved the problem. It seems to work fine ever since.

 

[Easy Rider]

There are plates in the pavement which are activated by the weight of the vehicle to control the lights.

That technology is VERY old and probably doesn't exist much anymore.
Most use magnetic sensor wires cut into the pavement.
Some use video detectors.

AND....in all jurisdictions, it is legal to proceed carefully WHEN THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS ARE MALFUNCTIONING.
Not cycling in response to a sensor failing is a malfunction. The recent laws just make that a bit clearer.

 

[Firefly]

:agree:
The weight based ones haven't been around for a long time now.