Texas riders, an interesting legal note

FrugalNinja250 · July 23rd, 2010, 08:28 AM

Found this while researching another topic. Per state law, traffic signals are required to recognize motorcycles:

Sec. 544.0075. CERTAIN TRAFFIC-ACTUATED ELECTRIC TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNALS. (a) This section applies only to a traffic-actuated electric traffic-control signal that consists of a traffic-control signal for which the intervals vary according to the demands of vehicular traffic as registered by a detector and that is installed and operating at an intersection.

(b) In addition to any other type of vehicle the presence of which the detector for the traffic-actuated electric traffic-control signal may register, the detector for a traffic-actuated electric traffic-control device to which this section applies must be capable of registering the presence of a motorcycle.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 219, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.u...4.htm#544.0075

If you run across a signal that won't change for you, you can contact the local traffic engineering department and remind them that by law they are required to do what it takes to make it recognize any motorcycle. Complaints can be made to the Texas Attorney General's office at:

Office of the Attorney General
PO Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548

http://www.oag.state.tx.us/agency/contacts.shtml

It is still illegal to proceed through a malfunctioning traffic signal no matter how safely you can do it and no matter how long you sit there stuck at one, even if for hours. Maybe we can get that changed at some point in the future.

austexjg · July 23rd, 2010, 08:31 AM

I hate when this happens...

addy126 · July 23rd, 2010, 08:39 AM

The lights that I know that do not register in the Dallas area.. well when I get caught up in them.. I just turn right, u-turn a few feet down from the intersection, then turn right at the light and continue on.... got no time waiting for a car to come up beside me and trigger the damn thing.

If I was looking to turn left at the light... i just do the above, time the green and head on straight thru.

Soujyu · July 23rd, 2010, 08:57 AM

I know of at least 3 traffic lights here in the Austin area that do not register. Almost all of them I've had to wait 10 minutes before I ended up breaking the law. One of them I got to change by scooting up just one foot, but that was after 6 cycles.

Most of them I figure out which ones don't change easily and just avoid them like the plague.

Snake · July 23rd, 2010, 09:07 AM

In my area they are doing away with the underground triggers and are starting to use camera's to trigger the lights. They look just like traffic cams but don't take your picture if you run the light. They work much better than the underground wire at detecting a motorcycle.

CZroe · July 23rd, 2010, 09:14 AM

I researched this in several states and found the same thing in all. If it doesn't detect you, it's deemed to be malfunctioning. What differs is the recourse you have while stillstuck at the light. Many say that you treat it as inoperative (four way stop, procede with caution but, of course, the other vehicles don't know or consider it that way). I can't find that allowince in CA law though.

I had a light cycle 10 times on me in my sister's car yesterday and I just had to go. Some for the other cars trapped with me.

Kitdog · July 23rd, 2010, 11:37 AM

If I come accross a light that wont change when I'm in Albuqueruque and there are no cars around that can change it for me I just hop off and run over and press the pedestrian cross button a couple of times and run back. Or I do the right U turn thing also. depends on how big the street is

FrugalNinja250 · July 23rd, 2010, 11:43 AM

My luck is that I tend to hit these things in a left turn lane. Making a right from the left turn lane is highly illegal here. I once called my city police and asked what I should do, they told me to call the police and wait until an officer showed up then he would wave me through the red light. Of course, making that call would require me removing my helmet, putting me in violation of our helmet law and a ticketable offense here. I could leave the bike parked there and walk to the sidewalk to make the call, but then I would be in violation of parking laws. Sigh.

revstriker · July 23rd, 2010, 12:51 PM

No option for never.

Not sure why, but I don't have a problem with the triggers. Everyone I have come across has worked for me.

bdavison · July 23rd, 2010, 12:56 PM

There are two here that drive me nuts...one is a regular stop light...that wont change for squat, and the other is a left turn lane that also wont change.

So instead of me turning left under a green turn light, Im supposed to wait until all four lanes get a green and yield until I see a clear spot...and hope to God some Georgia jack#ss doesnt run me over.

%&*##@$& TRAFFIC LIGHTS.

Ive tried sixteen times to contact someone to have them fixed, and have yet to find the right department.

So I do what I have to....and I hope they do ticket me for some infraction, cause so help me, they WILL see me in court.

revstriker · July 24th, 2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdavison

There are two here that drive me nuts...one is a regular stop light...that wont change for squat, and the other is a left turn lane that also wont change.

So instead of me turning left under a green turn light, Im supposed to wait until all four lanes get a green and yield until I see a clear spot...and hope to God some Georgia jack#ss doesnt run me over.

%&*##@$& TRAFFIC LIGHTS.

Ive tried sixteen times to contact someone to have them fixed, and have yet to find the right department.

So I do what I have to....and I hope they do ticket me for some infraction, cause so help me, they WILL see me in court.

There are magnets which are made for Motorcycles which you can install on your bike which will help the readers to recognize your bike. They're pretty cheap, and I've read that they work pretty good.

As for going to court for a ticket, be careful. As was pointed out earlier in this thread, in some jurisdictions it is STILL a violation to go through a red light, even if the lights are malfunctioning. The judge might be sympathetic and let you off though, but it still might be a chance you're taking.

Werehusky · July 24th, 2010, 07:16 PM

I'll be sure to be on the lookout for them. But with how congested DFW is I'm almost never at an intersection alone.

Hadyn · July 24th, 2010, 07:23 PM

I'm always expecting lights not to trigger, but I try to position the engine right over the front of the sensor where the middle line meets the front line. It seems to work on almost all the lights.

Also, with a pre-gen, you can reach your foot back to the centerstand and just tap it down on the ground which seems to help the sensor recognize the bike. I don't know if it does, but I'm happy with my placebo effect.

View Poll Results: How often do you encounter a traffic light that won't trigger for you?
Daily	11	52.38%
Weekly	5	23.81%
Monthly	2	9.52%
I ignore traffic lights!	3	14.29%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll

July 23rd, 2010, 08:28 AM	#1
FrugalNinja250 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Frugal Location: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): Several Posts: A lot.	Texas riders, an interesting legal note Found this while researching another topic. Per state law, traffic signals are required to recognize motorcycles: Sec. 544.0075. CERTAIN TRAFFIC-ACTUATED ELECTRIC TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNALS. (a) This section applies only to a traffic-actuated electric traffic-control signal that consists of a traffic-control signal for which the intervals vary according to the demands of vehicular traffic as registered by a detector and that is installed and operating at an intersection. (b) In addition to any other type of vehicle the presence of which the detector for the traffic-actuated electric traffic-control signal may register, the detector for a traffic-actuated electric traffic-control device to which this section applies must be capable of registering the presence of a motorcycle. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 219, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007. http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.u...4.htm#544.0075 If you run across a signal that won't change for you, you can contact the local traffic engineering department and remind them that by law they are required to do what it takes to make it recognize any motorcycle. Complaints can be made to the Texas Attorney General's office at: Office of the Attorney General PO Box 12548 Austin, TX 78711-2548 http://www.oag.state.tx.us/agency/contacts.shtml It is still illegal to proceed through a malfunctioning traffic signal no matter how safely you can do it and no matter how long you sit there stuck at one, even if for hours. Maybe we can get that changed at some point in the future.

July 23rd, 2010, 08:57 AM	#4
Soujyu ninjette.org sage Name: W Location: Austin, TX Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R (sold), 2012 Tuono V4R Posts: 512	I know of at least 3 traffic lights here in the Austin area that do not register. Almost all of them I've had to wait 10 minutes before I ended up breaking the law. One of them I got to change by scooting up just one foot, but that was after 6 cycles. Most of them I figure out which ones don't change easily and just avoid them like the plague. __________________________________________________ 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R - "Aria" (sold) 2012 Aprilia Tuono V4R - "Perrine" Proof that Harleys and Ninjettes are friendly with each other

July 23rd, 2010, 11:37 AM	#7
Kitdog ninjette.org guru Name: Kit Location: New Mexico Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r, 1996 Yahmaha YZ 125... Both in Blue the coolest color Posts: 285	If I come accross a light that wont change when I'm in Albuqueruque and there are no cars around that can change it for me I just hop off and run over and press the pedestrian cross button a couple of times and run back. Or I do the right U turn thing also. depends on how big the street is __________________________________________________ "Well you know, for me, the action IS the juice"

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July 23rd, 2010, 08:31 AM	#2
austexjg ninjette.org sage Name: J.G. Location: Austin Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 zx6r Green/Black, (ex-)Diablo Black '09 Ninja 250r Posts: 959	I hate when this happens...

July 23rd, 2010, 08:39 AM	#3
addy126 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: addy126 Location: Tx Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki N-250 + '09 Vulcan 900 Classic Lt Posts: A lot.	The lights that I know that do not register in the Dallas area.. well when I get caught up in them.. I just turn right, u-turn a few feet down from the intersection, then turn right at the light and continue on.... got no time waiting for a car to come up beside me and trigger the damn thing. If I was looking to turn left at the light... i just do the above, time the green and head on straight thru.

July 23rd, 2010, 09:07 AM	#5
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	In my area they are doing away with the underground triggers and are starting to use camera's to trigger the lights. They look just like traffic cams but don't take your picture if you run the light. They work much better than the underground wire at detecting a motorcycle.

July 23rd, 2010, 09:14 AM	#6
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	I researched this in several states and found the same thing in all. If it doesn't detect you, it's deemed to be malfunctioning. What differs is the recourse you have while stillstuck at the light. Many say that you treat it as inoperative (four way stop, procede with caution but, of course, the other vehicles don't know or consider it that way). I can't find that allowince in CA law though. I had a light cycle 10 times on me in my sister's car yesterday and I just had to go. Some for the other cars trapped with me.

July 23rd, 2010, 11:43 AM	#8
FrugalNinja250 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Frugal Location: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): Several Posts: A lot.	My luck is that I tend to hit these things in a left turn lane. Making a right from the left turn lane is highly illegal here. I once called my city police and asked what I should do, they told me to call the police and wait until an officer showed up then he would wave me through the red light. Of course, making that call would require me removing my helmet, putting me in violation of our helmet law and a ticketable offense here. I could leave the bike parked there and walk to the sidewalk to make the call, but then I would be in violation of parking laws. Sigh.

July 23rd, 2010, 12:51 PM	#9
revstriker ninjette.org sage Name: Scott Location: DFW TX Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja zx6r Posts: 609	No option for never. Not sure why, but I don't have a problem with the triggers. Everyone I have come across has worked for me.

July 23rd, 2010, 12:56 PM	#10
bdavison Wartown, USA Name: Bryan Location: Warner Robins, GA Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.	There are two here that drive me nuts...one is a regular stop light...that wont change for squat, and the other is a left turn lane that also wont change. So instead of me turning left under a green turn light, Im supposed to wait until all four lanes get a green and yield until I see a clear spot...and hope to God some Georgia jack#ss doesnt run me over. %&*##@$& TRAFFIC LIGHTS. Ive tried sixteen times to contact someone to have them fixed, and have yet to find the right department. So I do what I have to....and I hope they do ticket me for some infraction, cause so help me, they WILL see me in court.

July 24th, 2010, 07:16 PM	#12
Werehusky ninjette.org member Name: Jon Location: DF to the W Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): Ninjette(sold), 2011 ZX-10r Posts: 66	I'll be sure to be on the lookout for them. But with how congested DFW is I'm almost never at an intersection alone.

July 24th, 2010, 07:23 PM	#13
Hadyn ninjette.org member Name: Andrew Location: Fairfax, VA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '06 Yellow 250r Posts: 211	I'm always expecting lights not to trigger, but I try to position the engine right over the front of the sensor where the middle line meets the front line. It seems to work on almost all the lights. Also, with a pre-gen, you can reach your foot back to the centerstand and just tap it down on the ground which seems to help the sensor recognize the bike. I don't know if it does, but I'm happy with my placebo effect.