Long Standing Traffic Law Is Updated In PA
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A new update to an old law will help save motorcycle riders some time and aggravation.
Traffic lights are run by timers, video sensors or metal sensors in the road. It's the inlaid sensors that cause problems for motorists.
Sometimes a small car or motorcycle isn't big enough to trigger the sensor, so the driver just sits there waiting and waiting and waiting for a light that won't change.
State representative Steve Bloom said the updated law redefines what it means for a light to malfunction.
"It changes the definition to include the failure of an inductive loop sensors system to detect the presence of a vehicle," he said.
And then, similar to if the light was out or blinking, drivers could proceed as if it were a stop sign.
But don't think this is an excuse to run a light in your pickup truck.
"These sensors have no history of failing to detect normal sized vehicles."
Bloom said there is no set amount of time a driver must sit before going through.
The change takes effect September 19th.
