OFF THE WIRE
http://www.kmbc.com/news/26978795/detail.html
'Dead Red Bill' Allows Motorcycles To Run Red Lights Missouri Has Similar Law
OLATHE, Kan. -- Lawmakers in the Kansas House want to let motorcycle riders run red lights under certain situations.
Nicknamed the "Dead Red Bill," Kansas HB 2192 would allow motorcyclists to run red lights if the signal sensor at the intersection failed to recognize that a motorcycle was waiting at the intersection, and the light failed to change from red to green.
"It's a major annoyance," said motorcycle rider Charles Smith. "You can pull up to a turn lane at a traffic light and watch it cycle through a couple times."
"It might be half a day," said Cyclops Cycle shop owner Jim Lepisto. "Most people are not that patient, and I'm one of them."
The bill, which was recently passed by the Kansas House, states that "a red signal, which fails to change a green light within a reasonable period of time because …the signal has failed to detect the arrival of a motorcycle …because of its size or weight …shall have the right to proceed subject to the rules."
"I have to confess I've done that a couple times myself," Lepisto said. "I'm not going to sit there and wait a fortnight for the light to change. That's looney tunes."
The bill would also apply to scooters and bicycles.
Missouri has had a similar law in effect for a couple years.
The bill has moved to the Kansas Senate for its approval.
