Effective immediately, new state legislation allows motorcyclists to proceed through some red lights. The new legislation, signed by Governor Pat Quinn last week, requires that motorcyclists wait a reasonable time, defined as at least two minutes, at every red light. They may then proceed through the light if the roadway is clear.
Our experienced Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys understand the motivation for this new law. Automatic sensors at stoplights, designed to register cars and trucks, often fail to detect motorcycles. This can leave riders stranded at lights for long periods of time.
We urge all those who use our state’s roads, however, to regard this law and its effects with extreme caution. For riders, we urge you to use the law only at intersections with clear visibility in all directions, and when you are absolutely certain that no traffic is approaching from any direction.
For auto drivers, we urge you to treat every intersection, particularly at night or when there are few or no other cars present, as a potential hazard. At least until the effects of the law are clear and drivers and riders have become accustomed to the new law, you can no longer be certain that a deserted intersection which you are driving through on green will be clear of motorcycle traffic.
Although any resulting accident would likely be ruled the fault of the cyclist for failing to ensure that the intersection was clear, this will not spare you the trauma and injury which could result from the accident.
For a free consultation with an experienced Chicago car accident lawyer at Passen & Powell, call us at (312) 527-4500.