Motorcycles Free to Run Red Lights in Illinois

Motorcyclists in Illinois will no longer be stuck indefinitely at stoplights starting New Year’s Day 2012.

The Illinois legislature passed HB S860 which allows motorcycles stopped at a red light to go through the light if it doesn’t turn green after a “reasonable” amount of time. Sensors installed in many intersections, which trigger light changes, aren’t sensitive enough to detect motorcycles.

Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed the bill, claiming it “endangers our motorists” because it allows the motorcyclist to determine how long is “reasonable,” but both the House and Senate overrode the veto and the original bill became law.