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New Missouri Law Means Motorcycles Can Run Red
By
Natalie Swallow
Story Created:
Aug 26, 2009 at 7:22 AM CDT
Story Updated:
Aug 26, 2009 at 7:22 AM CDT
There is a new gray area when it comes to red lights for motorcyclists and bike riders.
Effective this Friday, motorcyclists and bike riders can run a red light, but there are a few stipulations.
They have to come to a complete stop, be waiting for an "unreasonable" amount of time, and have to yield to cross street traffic.
Most motorcyclists are happy with the new law because of their frustration when detection sensors at stoplights don't work.
Some traffic engineers though say the new law will be dangerous for both motorcyclists and other drivers.
“If you have a motorcycle ahead of you and you see that person run a red light you may certainly follow without thinking about what the signal shows. A lot of people just follow when the vehicle ahead of them goes moves and go right into the intersection,” Springfield traffic engineer Earl Newman said.
Newman says he would rather the traffic industry do a better job in stoplight detection than laws allowing motorcyclists to make their own judgment on when to go.
Springfield has more than 250 traffic signals. Most of the signals have detection sensors or detection cameras. The others have timed loops to change the signal.
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