New Ohio Law Allows Drivers to Run Red Lights

The new law couldn't reasonably be described as an "Idaho Stop" for cars, but it's still worth questioning the wisdom of opening a traffic safety grey area.

1 minute read

January 10, 2017, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Traffic Light

David Lofink / Flickr

No this is not an April Fool's post. Jim Nelson reports on a "brand new law in Ohio allows for drivers to go through an intersection even if there is a red light, provided the light is malfunctioning."

"House Bill 154 says if a light is malfunctioning -- for example, none of the signals are lit, or a red light is lasting an inordinate amount of time, drivers would be able to proceed through the intersection legally," explains Nelson.

Nelson quotes Donna Foster, a driving instructor of nearly 20 years, who predicts that the law will likely result in more crashes at intersections. 

Hat tip to Jonathan Maus for sharing the article

Wednesday, January 4, 2017 in NBC 24

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