PA red light law change!

HARRISBURG — A new Pennsylvania law is giving drivers the green light to run red lights — under certain circumstances.

The bill signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Tom Wolf takes effect Sept. 18. It allows drivers to proceed through red lights if the light has a sensor that appears to be malfunctioning, preventing the light from turning green.

Republican state Rep. Stephen Bloom of Cumberland County introduced the bill at the urging of motorcyclists, though it applies to all vehicles. Motorcycles are sometimes too light to trigger the weight sensors embedded in pavement that prompt lights to change.

Mr. Bloom said a driver must come to a complete stop and make sure it’s safe to continue before running a stalled red light.
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" under certain circumstances"
"if the light has a sensor that appears to be malfunctioning"
"a driver must come to a complete stop and make sure it’s safe to continue before running a stalled red light"

Like it's not bad enough out on the road! Are you freakin' kidding me!!

 

I've had this happen once in trucky, and a dozen times on a motorcycle, and a jillion times on a bicycle

it makes sense...but I do foresee dipshits abusing it

 

Pandora Box

 

Wow! I just heard about this. Not good for all concerned.
I ride, and when I do I occasionally hit a light that does not trigger by the weight of my mc.
My remedy is to make a right turn,u turn, & another right turn.
That seems like a better idea than running a red light after some idiots idea of what is too long to wait.

 

I once waited 5 full minutes at an intersection, no one around anywhere...middle of night (1am) zero traffic

still I waited and waited...the finally ran it

felt dirty about it for a week

 

And who is to judge if the light is broken? Used to happen on my motrocycle a bunch but most lights where I live now are on timers and not sensors.

 

I used to do it at one light when I rode my motorcycle, but that was at 3am when no one was around. I can see this being abused.

 

Oh, THAT will go over really well in Philly traffic...

 

Common sense applies, I don't wait at red lights when there is no other car around. I stop, make sure I am clear and procede. Same goes at red left and right turn arrows. I've never thought twice or felt guilty.
I think it's a great law, if no one is around, and you can procede without interference, why wouldn't you?
So many people need someone holding their hand while driving, can't figure if it's clear to go without a traffic light. Pretty ridiculous we let any idiot have a license, then we have to dumb down driving.

 

Does PA have Red Light Cameras?

 

Yes.
In every major city there are cameras at most intersections unbeknownst to the majority of public

 

In Philadelphia this law just gives the same rights to civilians as the cops have who go thru red lights constantly simply for convenience.

 

Ever since I started riding I've treated traffic lights "as more 'guidelines' than actual rules"
Seriously, though. If I pull up to a red light and there's no cars to be seen in either direction (not an uncommon occurrence in my neck of the woods), I'll proceed through after I've stopped and looked, whether it's turned green or not. The exception would be if there was police officer directly behind me, lol.

 

I guess my concern is how does a driver decide if "the sensor appears to be malfunctioning". My god most people don't stop at a stop sign!
When I came home last night I told my wife about it and then I asked her if she was aware that there are sensors buried in the roads....she had no idea, ok, I understand that.
I posted this same article on a m/c forum...I'm getting blasted!
I just think it's going to cause more accident's and deaths.