If you have ever been stuck at an intersection where the light just will not turn green, then you understand the frustration that led to the “Ride on Red” law in Pennsylvania. This law actually went into effect in 2016 and is designed to give drivers an option to proceed through a red light in the event the light is malfunctioning. Here, we want to review what the law says as well as any nuances you need to be aware of.
What the Law Actually Says
The Ride on Red law in Pennsylvania is designed to allow for any vehicle, whether that be a car, motorcycle, bicycle, or some other type of vehicle, to proceed through an intersection with caution if the traffic signal’s vehicle detection system is not properly working or fails to recognize the vehicle. In these situations, the traffic signal can be treated like a stop sign.
However, it is very important for Pennsylvania residents to understand that this does not allow them to treat every red light like a stop sign. The vehicle detection system must be malfunctioning in order for individuals to take advantage of the Ride on Red law.
One of the most confusing aspects of this law is that it does not address how long a motorist must sit at the red light before they take advantage of the ability to treat it like a stop sign. However, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania State Police have encouraged individuals to use “common sense” when deciding whether or not enough time has lapsed before proceeding through a red light. The signal should be “non-functioning,” which means it is either totally dark, frozen on “red,” or has gone through several cycles without giving the individual a green light.
Before the 2016 law passed, Pennsylvania allowed motorists to treat signals that were not operating correctly as stop signs, but an amendment added language that specified the traffic lights had to be inoperative in order for individuals to proceed through.
What if an Accident Occurs?
Of course, any law designed to allow individuals to pass through a red light could be controversial, particularly if an accident occurs when an individual proceeds through. This goes back to individuals using common sense before going through a red light that is not operative. Just like a stop sign, individuals should not proceed forward unless they have a clear route to do so without interacting with any oncoming traffic.
If an accident does occur when a person uses the Ride on Red law, the incident will need to be thoroughly investigated. Just like any other incident, the police will need to come to the scene in order to conduct a complete investigation. The individual who used the Ride on Red law will most certainly need to let the officer know why they proceeded forward on a red light, and there will need to be an investigation into that particular light to see if it is working or was working correctly.
We encourage any person involved in an incident like this to reach out to a skilled Pennsylvania car accident lawyer who can help with every step of the process. A Philadelphia accident attorney can help with the investigation and handle all communication with other parties. Ultimately, a lawyer will be responsible for fully preparing the case for trial if that becomes necessary.