Bikesrepublic

Beating the lights, should it be made legal?

The American state of Nevada has apparently made it legal for motorcyclists, mopeds, cyclists and three-wheelers to run a red light.

It was found that traffic light sensors sometimes do not detect motorcyclists, leaving them stranded at red for a long time. These bikers or cyclists then have to wait for a car to arrive to trigger the sensor for the light to turn green. This increases the waiting time by at least 3 or 4 times. However, the new law requires riders to wait for two light cycles before they can ride off.

The Nevada police however have brought up the fact that the law would be quite difficult to police. The person can chose to fight it out in court and then the burden of proof lays on the cops, and finding proof on whether the biker waited for two cycles, as mentioned, would be quite difficult to do.

This law however, would be an absolute disaster in Malaysia. Motorcyclists are known to beat the lights at their own discretion here, sometimes risking their own lives, seemingly just for the heck of it. Making it a legal act to do increases the possibility of running into a charging biker at an intersection. Making it all legal would be a nightmare.

Co-founder of Bikes Republic and a motoring journalist by night. He is a self described enthusiasts with a passion for speed but instead rides a Harley and a J300. A man of contradictions, he is just as passionate about time off in the quiets as he is about trail braking into turn one at Sepang Circuit on two or four wheels.

Related Articles