Modern Vespa

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/DISTRICTS/D10/NEWSRELEASES/Pages/TrafficSignalsIncreaseSafetyforMotorcyclesandScooters.aspx

Thanks to Vic on the Easy Peasey Scooter Posse forum for this.

Wow! Great lobbying job and great results.

Nice to see the concerns of the PTW community being heard! Thanks for sharing.

Great Job Ohio, California are you listening???

Joe

In Missouri, if the light doesn't change for us on motorbikes, then we can legally treat the light as a stopsign. Of course, the cross traffic has the right of way in that case, but it's nice to be able to just run the light if necessary.

Supposedly in Oklahoma you can contact the ODOT and they will do something. But honestly, they won't even fix the roads, so I am not holding my breath over light issues.

I just usually do a right turn if I can and then repeat until I am going the direction I need... or find an alternative exit or whatever that gets me there.

Nice to see Ohio taking action, if they can follow thru it will be a great boost for 2 wheeled folks at lights!

My 300 actually has enough metal and mass to trip the lights. I've never had a bike that can do this before.

Also FYI

If you thumb or press press the starter while sitting on the sensors in the road, usually the light will change. It causes more of a magnetic field.

It really works.

Won't load here. Looks like they block non-NA IP addresses at the state.oh.us borders. Muppets.

California passed a similar law under AB 1581 that went into effect January 2008. Let hope it help improve them. It does mention that local agencies and counties don't need to comply unless there are CALDOT standards defined. There may be, but I did not find them.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_1551-1600/ab_1581_bill_20070904_enrolled.pdf

ODOT improving Traffic Signal Safety for Motorcycles and Scooters

COLUMBUS (April 29, 2009) - As more Ohioans choose motorcycles and scooters as their primary means of transportation in warmer weather, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is taking special steps to ensure their safety at intersections across the state.

Over the past several months, ODOT has worked closely with the American Motorcycle Association to target automated traffic signals that are not sensitive enough to recognize when a motorcycle or scooter is waiting for a light to change. Frustrated bikers or the drivers in cars behind them may choose to run the red light, putting them and other motorists at serious risk.

Last year there were 60 intersection-related motorcycle fatalities, representing nearly a third of all motorcycle fatalities in Ohio.

To enlist the help of Ohio's motorcyclists, ODOT has set up a special phone number - (614) 387-0722 - and email address - bike.report@dot.state.oh.us - for motorcyclists to report these problem intersections.

ODOT will then notify signal owners - often a city or county - about the problem and offer recommendations, such as increasing the sensitivity of the in-ground loop detectors which trigger the signal. Another possible solution is to paint symbols on the pavement where motorcyclists should stop to activate the loop detector.

ODOT will update the state's construction specifications later this summer to improve traffic signal safety at future intersections. Any new signals that are paid for using federal or state transportation money will be required to follow the updated specifications, which will include improved layout and sensitivity requirements for loop detectors.

With the riding season now underway, ODOT is joining the Ohio Department of Public Safety and the Ohio Highway Patrol on a new campaign to improve motorcycle safety. "Ride SMART" encourages motorcyclists to ride Sober; ride Motorcycle endorsed; ride Alert; use the Right gear; and ride Trained.

Motorcycle fatalities have increased 35 percent over the last three years on Ohio's roads, from 133 fatalities in 2004 to 214 fatalities in 2008.

ODOT will display motorcycle safety messages on highway message boards in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton over the next several weeks during weeknights and weekends.

Motorcyclists can get up-to-date road closure and construction information by visiting www.buckeyetraffic.org, ODOT's 24-hour online source for state roadway and traffic conditions.

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To seamlessly link Ohio's highways, railways, transit, aviation and port facilities, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will promote a world-class, integrated multi-modal transportation system that is cost-efficient, effective and reliable for all of the state's citizens, businesses and travelers. ODOT District 10 serves Ohio's multi-modal transportation needs in Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Vinton & Washington Counties.

Thanks Tom - I gathered that that was the gist of it. Bloody frustrating that this US State initiative can't be reported further afield - MAG's bi-monthly magazine 'The Road' has pages devoted to overseas (from our POV) initiatives and problems, and this should be included in the next issue.

Perhaps Ohio should look to their IT skills as well.

What, and shake our agriculturally-oriented image?

Leaving off chewing straws when photos were taken might help, true, but that applies to some places here in the UK as well.