ILLINOIS - New Law Will Give Motorcyclists Another Option......

OFF THE WIRE
http://channahon-minooka.patch.com/articles/new-law-provides-for
New Law Will Give Motorcyclists Another Option

 Law is aimed at letting motorcyclists and bicyclists proceed through a red light when it is not prompted to change.

By Dawn Aulet 
 With the warm weather anticipated this weekend, it is possible that motorcycle riders will dig their bikes out of storage to take advantage of our mild winter. And, if they do, they have a new law to contend with – one that will allow them to proceed with caution through an intersection if a stoplight fails to turn green. That law states that must happen “within a reasonable period of time” due to a signal malfunction or simply because the vehicle does not weigh enough to set off ground sensors.
Brian Wendholt, legislative officer for Will County A.B.A.T.E., said motorcycle enthusiasts have been pushing for a similar law for quite some time.
“It’s something I’ve been complaining about, and a lot of members have too, for years and years,” Wendholt said.
Under the new law, “When a motorcycle comes up to a red light or a left-turn arrow and sits there and the censors do not recognize that the bike is there, they can proceed as if through a four-way stop,” he explained.
According to its website, A.B.A.T.E., which stands for “A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education,” strives to “preserve the universal right to a safe, unrestricted motorcycling environment.”
In both Channahon and Minooka, police are concerned that the new law could potentially be harmful.
“I’m just concerned that the motorcyclists need to use extra care before going through the red light to make sure there is no traffic,” Channahon Deputy Chief Wold said.
He added that he does not anticipate any trouble, but is concerned for the safety of motorcyclists.
Minooka Police Chief Justin Meyer said he is concerned the law will be abused.
“I see where they’ve come up with that new law, I understand, but on the safety side, I don’t agree with it,” he said. “I think motorcycles will take advantage of the new law.”
Meyer said he is not aware of any complaints that have come through the village from riders who have been stuck at various lights. But in Channahon, people have called to alert police.
“We do get a lot of people that will call and say that light did not turn for me and I was on a motorcycle,” Wold said.
Both departments also expressed a need to educate the public that the law does not apply to drivers in cars.
“I hope drivers in cars know that motorcyclists are allowed to do this and they don’t follow them through the light,” Wold said.
And Meyer expressed similar concerns.
“It’s like everything, any new law that comes out, all we have to do is educate the community about this new law and hopefully they will understand it,” he said.
Law Not Valid Everywhere The new law, House Bill 2860 went into effect on January 1, but it is not valid everywhere. The legislation does not apply to the city of Chicago, stipulating that the rule is effective only in communities with fewer than two million residents. The law was vetoed by Gov. Pat Quinn, but the Illinois House and Senate overrode that veto in November.
Law enforcement concerns were not limited to Channahon and Minooka as others in law enforcement opposed the law, citing safety concerns. However, Wendholt said the intent is for motorcyclists to use the legislation to safely proceed through intersections only when no other traffic is present.
“You can’t do it at an intersection controlled by a timer, and the police will learn which intersections are which really quick,” Wendholt added.
Although neither Channahon nor Minooka’s police chiefs are motorcycle riders, Romeoville Assistant Police Chief Steven Lucchesi rides. He has a unique perspective on the new law.
“I’ve ridden motorcycles most of my adult life and I’ve had the same problem from time to time,” he said of ground sensors failing to register the presence of motorcycles.
“When it would happen to me, I would go ahead and make a legal right turn and then make a legal U-turn,” Lucchesi added. “At the same time, as a motorcycle rider, I understand that it is an inconvenience when it’s 2 o’clock in the morning and you’ve been sitting there for five minutes.”
Raising Awareness in the Community Wendholt said A.B.A.T.E. is working to educate its members about the law works. The organization’s website offers a printable version of the bill that riders can carry with them in case they’re pulled over.
“That way, if a rider is pulled over, he can very politely show it to the officer,” Wendholt said. “This is not to wave it in the face of [the police].”
Even so, Wendholt said he realizes other drivers may not be familiar with the new law.
“I’m sure there are going to be people who aren’t aware of it who are going to be calling the police” to report motorcycle riders, Wendholt said.
Vague Law? In August, the governor attempted to veto the bill, pushing for an amendment that would have specified how long bicyclists and motorcycle riders must wait at a red light before proceeding through the intersection.
According to Wendholt, that’s something A.B.A.T.E. can get behind.
Senate Bill 2528 has been introduced in the Senate that could give motorcycle riders a specific guideline on how long is long enough to wait before proceeding through a clear intersection.
“The bill as written doesn’t specify a time,” Wendholt said. “The trailer bill states that you must wait 120 seconds.”
Lucchesi also thought the law, as written, is “a little vague.”
“[The law] does not provide for a motorcyclist to pull up to a light and just go if it’s clear,” he said, emphasizing that riders must wait before proceeding through the intersection. “The motorcycle has to be there a while.”