We Heard Your Feedback on Washington Traffic Lights! Tell us which lights in your area don’t turn green for riders and we’ll report them!
Last
week’s blog article about a proposed Washington law (Senate Bill 5141)
that would allow riders to cautiously run red lights has generated buzz
amongst our readership. Turns out many of you are truly fed up with
having to turn right or get aYour Browser Does Not Support iFrames. ticket.
We want to help do something about the issue, so we’re compiling a list
of problem intersections to send to the DOT—but we need your input!
Fill
out the form on the right to report a problematic traffic light in your
area. If your light won’t turn green when you’re on your bike, we want
to know about it. We’ll be taking your submissions straight to the DOT,
thanks to a tip from one of our readers, George K.
George wrote: “In
response to your article on red light traffic laws and detection of
motorcycles, please let people know that, although this new law will
prevent us from getting tickets, it doesn't correct the problem. You can
and should complain to the Public Works department of any city or the
WSDOT about WHERE the light isn't detecting your motorcycle. The law
requires priority corrective action on these complaints. I've used it to
complain about 4 lights, and all 4 were fixed within a 3 week period.”
George directed us to the Washington State Legislature’s website, which states that:
“All
existing vehicle-activated traffic control signals that do not
currently routinely and reliably detect motorcycles and bicycles must be
adjusted to do so to the extent that the existing equipment is capable
consistent with safe traffic control. Priority must be given to existing
vehicle-activated traffic control signals for which complaints relating
to motorcycle or bicycle detection have been received and existing
vehicle-activated traffic control signals that are otherwise identified
as a detection problem for motorcyclists or bicyclists, or both.
Jurisdictions operating existing vehicle-activated traffic control
signals shall establish and publicize a procedure for filing these
complaints in writing or by e-mail, and maintain a record of these
complaints and responses.”
That law is current—so when we
submit your complaints to the DOT, you will see a resolution. As one of
the leading motorcycle gear retailers in the country, we’ll stand up for
our riders and their rights on the road. So help us help our riding
community and report a weak traffic sensor through our form.
George wasn’t the only one to share his advice last week. We received some very insightful feedback from other readers as well.
Brian A. emailed us this advice: “I
ride a motorcycle on the street and have had this issue many times. I
talked to a guy whom I work with at Redmond City Hall about this. What
he told me is that the sensors in the road in front of the traffic
lights are circular in shape. Most motorcyclists, me included, believe
that being in the center of the circle will work for them when in
reality if you pull up to just inside of the edge if the circle where
the signal is the strongest, that will activate the lights sooner. “
Bruce S. posted on Eagle Leather’s Facebook page: “Thanks
for emailing the article about the Red Light sensor issue. Do you know
that the left hand turn lights in front of the 7/11 next to your store
are not activated by a motorcycle? I have waited there a few times and
finally bailed.”
Justin B. also posted on our Facebook page: “I
watched the feed while SB 5141 was being discussed in Olympia. One
point that was expressed during testimony is that these devices
occasionally fail. In such a case, it does not matter if you have a
magnet on your bike.”
We promise to keep you posted as we
learn more about Senate Bill 5141 and the related riding ramifications.
Until then, let’s work together to keep the roads fair for riders.
Report a problem traffic light to Eagle Leather!
Yet, there’s no denying it: Unless you plan to ride exclusively around the Southern United States, you’ll face some chilly winters. And even before it...
