Kawi2strokes.com Forum

Motorcycle “Dead” Light Law

Motorcycle riders in Illinois will now have the ability to legally run a red light starting January 1st.

The state legislature passed a bill earlier this year that would allow motorcycle riders stopped at a traffic light to proceed through the red phase of the light after waiting 120 seconds and checking to make sure they can cross the intersection safely.

The law was instituted on the behest of motorcycle riders who would often have to wait for long periods of time at traffic lights that used in ground sensors to change the signal. Most motorcycles are not heavy enough to trigger the in pavement sensors.

Unfortunately for Chicago riders, the statewide law does not apply within Chicago city limits.

I haven't ridden in years but I don't ever remember a problem tripping traffis lights

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1975 S3 project bike
1974 H1 project bike
1972 Yamaha R5
1974 Yamaha RD350

What did you ride - full-dresser harley with trailer?

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"One day, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching." : anon.

yes....props to them for once. In Bloomington/Normal you are stuck unless you are riding with three other bikes (to all stop on the sensor together). Sometimes you would get lucky if a car pulled up behind but if they are nice as they should be they might not crowd your tail close enough to trigger it either. I've went on in sight of cops after four or five light cycles and was never ticketed but you takes your chances.

maybe early senility , I just don't remember traffic lights as a problem , oh well thats okay running red lights in Ill. sounds like fun might be worth the trip ..

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1975 S3 project bike
1974 H1 project bike
1972 Yamaha R5
1974 Yamaha RD350

Ah, Chi-Town, still way off the deep end of politically correct. There hasn't been any fun come out of there since The Chi-Town Hustler.

It doesn't happen to me very often, but occasionally I have to run a red light on the H2 or my bicycle because the light doesn't know I'm there. I never thought I'd get a ticket if I told the officer that I waited for a couple light cycles and it didn't let me go. I do think that spelling out the problem is good, so at least you can stay out of that grey area.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

I have that problem at a local light, it will never turn for me.....

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Twist the throttle, tilt the horizon, and have a great time. What triples are all about...........

The sensors are not tripped by weight, they are inductive sensors. Basically a loop of wire (a big metal detector), think of it as an antenna and when you park on it the signal strength changes. Most bikes don't have enough mass (metal) to trip them. If you see the cutouts in the pavement, stop directly on one of the wires (you can see the "patch"), you have a better chance of being detected.
A friend and I were ticketed (long ago) when after waiting at least 5 minutes we decided to turn right, u-turn and right turn to get through a light. We were cited for avoiding a traffic signal. It was dropped when we took it to court and the officer didn't show.

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We don't need no stinkin' Cams!

YEA, but now you have to show I.D. to buy DRAIN-O!