Bill would let motorcyclists drive through long red light - FOX 14 TV Joplin and Pittsburg News Weather Sports |

Dead Red Bill would let Kansas motorcyclists drive through long red lights

by CHANTEE LANS

The weight of a motorcycle is often not enough to trip the sensor to change a traffic light, and when there is no traffic in sight, motorcyclists say sitting on your bike at the light can make for a long wait.

Now the state of Kansas is considering a bill that would allow bikers to drive through lights that stay red for a long time.

Crawford County Sheriff's Deputy Bob Peters has ridden motorcycles for more than 30 years and is favor of the proposal called "The Dead Red Bill."

"Cars and trucks have no problem with it but motorcycles have always been an issue," Deputy Peters says.  "You may be on a section or roadway where you may wait for five minutes and there may not be other traffic along to trigger the sensor."

As a deputy, Peters is in the minority.  Many law enforcement agencies like the Kansas Association of Police Chiefs and the Kansas Peace Officers Association have submitted a letter of opposition.

One of their fears is an increase in accidents like one in Pittsburg where a motorcyclist was hit.  They also argue that the change would cause confusion at lights and prompt legal challenges to tickets.

States like Missouri and Tennessee have already passed similar bills.

Deputy Peters hopes Kansas will follow their lead.

"There's really no reason for motorcyclists to sit there forever," Peters says.