Allison Blood has more from Jefferson City.
The idea was presented to the House Crime Committee by O'Fallon Republican Representative Cynthia Davis.
Davis said stop lights cannot recognize motorcycles because of structural differences from other vehicles.
Actuality: DAV1.WAV |
Run Time: 00:13 |
Description: So it's much more common with a motorcycle that you've got a problem and its not exactly the signal's fault, it's just that a motorcycle is a whole different animal and should be treated as such. |
Davis said motorcycles are often too small or don't have enough metal to trigger the light sensors.
Opponents argued the problem is faulty light sensors and said it is the local transportation department's responsibility to fix them.
From the State Capitol, I'm Allison Blood
Intro: A House committee heard a bill Wednesday that would give motorcyclists the right to ignore certain traffic signals.
Allison Blood has more from Jefferson City.
O'Fallon Republican Representative Cynthia Davis presented a bill before the House Crime Committee that would allow motorcyclists to run red lights under some circumstances.
O'Fallon motorcyclist Tony Sheppard testified in support, saying motorcycles don't always trigger electric sensors that change lights.
Actuality: CYCLE1.WAV |
Run Time: 00:15 |
Description: Why is it not triggering? A lot of your motorcycles out there...I've got an old Harley Davidson I could trigger it a block away. My Goldwing lot of the sport bikes, they don't have the metallic in there to trigger the magnetic, it's a magnetic field, it's not weight it's magnetic that triggers that somethings there. |
Allison Blood has more from Jefferson City.
Motorcyclists say some stoplights aren't triggered by their bikes because they are light and often aren't made of metal.
O'Fallon resident Tony Sheppard testified before the House Crime Prevention Committee saying the measure does not compromise safety.
Actuality: CYCLE2.WAV |
Run Time: 00:10 |
Description: None of us like to crash. We're not having an accident folks, we're crashing. Crashing sucks on a motorcycle. We really try not to put ourselves in harm's way on this one. |