Officer Francis Poncherello (aka “Ponch”) and Officer Jon Baker weren’t there today but I’m wondering how they would’ve voted on this one.

In December 2006 Senate Bill 111 was prefiled and it took 16 months to make it over to the House where it sped through our chamber (lame pun, huh?) and in only one quick month it’s now one step away from going to the Governor for approval/veto.

Do you think motorcycles should be allowed to “count to 10″ at red lights and then proceed with caution through the intersection? (Ok….the bill actually says they must come to a complete stop for 2 minutes, but you get the drift. You can read the main portion of the bill below)

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(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a driver of a motorcycle or moped, or a bicycle rider, approaches an intersection that is controlled by a traffic-control device, the driver may proceed through the intersection on a steady red light only if the driver or rider, as the case may be:

(a) comes to a full and complete stop at the intersection for one hundred and twenty seconds; and

(b) exercises due care as provided by law, otherwise treats the traffic control device as a stop sign, and determines it is safe to proceed.”

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What are your thoughts? (Note: Ralph or other ABATE members, I know your thoughts already. You guys spend more time in the State House than some of my colleagues!)

For information – the thought behind the bill is that our lights are triggered by weight and motorcylces don’t register and so they either sit there or break the law by going on through.