HP0314
LD 434
Session - 128th Maine Legislature
 
LR 939
Item 1
Bill Tracking, Additional Documents Chamber Status

An Act To Allow Certain Vehicles To Make a Right Turn on a Red Light Even When Prohibited

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2057, sub-§1, ¶C,  as repealed and replaced by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §36 and affected by Pt. X, §2, is amended to read:

C.  A Except as provided by paragraph C-3, a red light, if steady and circular, means:

(1) The operator must stop and remain stationary until an indication to proceed is shown; or

(2) The operator may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn after stopping if:

(a) Not prohibited by an appropriate sign such as "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED"; and

(b) The operator executing a turn yields the right-of-way to pedestrians on a crosswalk and to a vehicle having a green signal at the intersection.

Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §2057, sub-§1, ¶C-3  is enacted to read:

C-3 Notwithstanding paragraph C, the operator of a lightweight vehicle facing a red light, if steady and circular, after stopping for a reasonable amount of time may proceed cautiously through the intersection before the light on the traffic-control device turns green if no other vehicles are present at the intersection to actuate the traffic-control device. The operator of a lightweight vehicle proceeding through a red light under this paragraph shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicular traffic proceeding through a green light at the intersection or a pedestrian lawfully within a crosswalk or using the intersection. For the purposes of this paragraph, "lightweight vehicle" means a motorcycle, moped or bicycle, as defined in section 2063, subsection 1, or any other motor vehicle not heavy enough to actuate a traffic-control device sensor.

SUMMARY

This bill allows the operator of a lightweight vehicle facing a steady and circular red light, after stopping for a reasonable amount of time, to proceed cautiously through the intersection before the light on the traffic-control device turns green if no other vehicles are present at the intersection to actuate the traffic-control device. "Lightweight vehicle" means a motorcycle, moped or bicycle, including a motorized bicycle, motorized tricycle or motorized scooter or a motor vehicle not heavy enough to actuate a traffic-control device sensor.


Top of Page