Motorcyclists might just get a ticket to ride - through red lights.
A bill in the state Senate would give motorcyclists the right to drive
through a red light after waiting 20 seconds and checking for oncoming
vehicles.
Police and insurance companies oppose the bill.
"It would be unsafe for the motorists and motorcyclists," said
Charleston police traffic Sgt. Alvin Mitchell. "A motorcyclist should
follow the same laws as someone in a vehicle."
The bill was introduced by Sens. Phil Leventis, D-Sumter, and Jake
Knots, R-Lexington, after a motorcyclist told Leventis that sensors on the
road designed to pick up metal sometimes don't catch plastic or aluminum
on motorcycles.
Motorcyclist Terry Tucker, 44, said he'd rather wait at a light for a
couple of minutes than take the chance of being smacked by a speeding
car.
"If that passes, there will just be an increase in fatalities," Tucker
said. "Cars don't watch out for motorcycles as it is."
In 2005, 96 motorcyclists in South Carolina died on the roads, an
increase of eight from 2004, according to the Department of Public Safety.
Tucker questioned how anyone could determine, without placing a camera
at each intersection, if motorcyclists wait the required 20 seconds.
"That would end up costing way too much money," Tucker said.
Tucker, a salesman at Champion Honda BMW on Dorchester Road, has been
riding since he was a child. He recommended motorcyclists buy a magnet to
place on their motorcycles to set off the sensors.
State safety officials responsible for the sensors say they have
received several complaints from motorcyclists who have been forced to sit
at lights.
Rick Werts, director of traffic safety for the Department of
Transportation, said that technicians have fixed the problem.
"Every intersection is not a problem," Werts said. "We haven't gotten
any complaints in the last year."
Vehicle insurance companies said insurance for motorcyclists could
skyrocket if the bill passes.
"Motorcyclists could get broad-sided," said Jeff Brewer, manager of
public affairs of Property Casualty Insurers Association of America. "The
potential is there for this to be catastrophic."
If the bill passes, not much would change for most motorcyclists
sitting at red lights, said Lowcountry Harley-Davidson rider Clay
Haas.
"Most people just go through the light anyway," Haas said.
Contact John Chambliss at 937-5573 or jchambliss@postandcourier.com.