We have all been there. Anyone that rides knows that if you stop at a red light, there is a very good chance that your motorcycle will not activate the traffic light sensors. How many of you have sat through many light cycles waiting for the light to turn green? Usually it only activates if another vehicle enters the lane behind you and trips the sensor. So what do you do if the light will not change? Do you risk going through the red light only to be ticketed later, or do you just sit there and wait for a car to come up behind you?
The Ohio Legislator has made your decision must easier. House Bill 154 will go into effect March 21, 2017. The Bill will amend Ohio Revised Code §4511.132(A). The amendment allows drivers who are confronted with traffic signals that are malfunctioning, including the failure of a vehicle detector to detect the vehicle to proceed through the intersection. However, there are limits you must stop before entering the intersection and yield the right-of-way to all vehicles and exercise ordinary care while proceed through the intersection.
So pursuant to the new Statute, when your motorcycle does not trigger the sensory and you are sitting at that intersection, you may proceed through the red light as long as you utilize ordinary care while proceeding through the intersection and yield the right of way to all vehicles approaching on an intersecting road.
Questions or concerns about the new red light law or something related? Call us today at 614-944-5055 for a free consultation.
The Flickinger Legal Group, LLC is a personal injury law firm that resides at Easton Town Center in Columbus, Ohio. We are dedicated to helping you with your dog bite, car accident, or slip and fall injury. We are also bikers ourselves, and thus are proud to serve the motorcycle community as motorcycle accident attorneys.