Do You Know There’s A Special Law For Motorcycles At Red Lights In Missouri?
Just this past week, my Dad bought a motorcycle.I was a little nervous when I heard him talking about it. I mean, I trust my Dad. He's a good driver. He even used to race motorcycles back in the day. And for years, he drove trucks, so if anybody knows how to be safe, it's him. I just worry about OTHER people, you know? But he's retired, and it's his decision, and of course I respect it.
That didn't stop me from reading up on the things. I figured, if I can find out a little more about motorcycles, maybe I'll be less nervous. So I did, and I found out something I didn't know before! Basically, motorcycles can go through a red light. Here's the actual law:
SB 368 - This act provides that a person operating a motorcycle or bicycle who enters or crosses an intersection controlled by a traffic-control signal against a red light shall have an affirmative defense to that charge if the person establishes all of the following conditions:
(1) The motorcycle or bicycle has been brought to a complete stop;
(2) The traffic signal continues to show a red light for an unreasonable time;
(3) The traffic signal is apparently malfunctioning or, if programmed or engineered to change to a green light only after detecting the approach of a motor vehicle, the signal has apparently failed to detect the arrival of the motorcycle; and
(4) No motor vehicle or person is approaching on the street or highway to be crossed or entered or is so far away from the intersection that it does not constitute an immediate hazard.
The affirmative defense applies only to a violation for entering or crossing an intersection controlled by a traffic-control signal against a red light and does not provide a defense to any other civil or criminal action.
I mean sure, it's been a law since 2009, but I didn't have a father with a motorcycle in 2009. I had a motorcycle-less father back then. And now, I'm learning a little more about them in batches. Here's hoping I'll find something to make me less nervous when he goes out riding!
Cyclingly yours,
Behka