why in the world would a rider want to run a red light ?

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/12/...under-new-law/

 

The law provides you the opportunity to proceed through a steady red light only if certain criteria are met. You must stop, wait two minutes and then proceed. You do not get to disregard the stoplight entirely.

This legislation was enacted because most motorcycles and bicycles lack enough mass to activate traffic light sensors. Hope this helps clear things up..

 

two reasons I can think of.

1. cannot trip the signal to go to green.
2. see/ hear a vehicle about to rear end you

 

Well if you have ever sat at a red light in the turn lane and watch it go through a couple of cycles and not give a green turn light because the weight or magnetic signature is not big enough, you would know why.

I have had to do it here on a couple of intersections but when I do, I make sure no one is coming and no danger of a collision.

 

They have had that Law in Richmond, VA for about 6-7 months now, a 2 minute wait then proceed if safe. I have yet to take advantage of it and I am big on Nightriding.

 

[QUOTE=Chunker;9205241]Well if you have ever sat at a red light in the turn lane and watch it go through a couple of cycles and not give a green turn light because the weight or magnetic signature is not big enough, you would know why.

yep - happens a lot around my town, but still would exercise patience and wait.
The real solution is bigger and better detectors.

 

It's 3 minutes in N.C. I've done it a couple times at intersections in my town that seem to have no timers after 10 PM.

 

We have a couple in my town that sensors do not read my bike. I don't know if nevada has that law. I still wait 3 time and I run it.

 

Some good info here....
http://m.wikihow.com/Trigger-Green-Traffic-Lights

 

If you waited at some of the lights around here where I live (north of Chicago), you'd be waiting there until you ran out of gas or until a car came up behind you and triggered the light.

A lot of traffic signals around here have those inductive loops in the road and most motorcycles do not have enough mass to be detected. I know I sat a light at a T intersection waiting to turn left and by watching the dash clock, I sat there for ten minutes and the light never changed. I kept waiting because I was concerned a cop could be sitting around watching for people to run the light. After ten minutes, I waited for the cross traffic to clear and went ahead and turned left. I didn't get stopped, but it was illegal to do what I did. Now, I can do that legally.

I think it's a good law as long as people don't abuse it and sit there for two seconds and then run the light.

From what I've read, the governor of Illinois tried to get them to put 120 seconds in as the wait time, but the legislature over rode him so it went through as a reasonable time. I'm guessing I'll probably try to wait at least two or three minutes before I run a light.