In general more states probably need laws like these clarifying these thing especially with the advent of smarter and smarter traffic lights which can go wonky when there's a sensor failure.
Seems a reasonable bill clarifying what to do in situations like this.
The burden of proof to prove that the light was malfunctioning falls on the driver so anyone that tries to abuse this law that gets caught will not be getting away with it.
Looks like it sailed through the Senate with 30 yeas and 1 nay and the house 89 to 4.To amend sections 4511.132 and 4511.27 of the Revised Code to provide that when a motor vehicle passes a bicycle the safe passing distance to the left is three feet or greater, and to alter the protocol for proceeding into an intersection that has malfunctioning traffic lights.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio:
SECTION 1. That sections 4511.132 and 4511.27 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows: Sec. 4511.132. (A) The driver of a vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley who approaches an intersection where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals shall do all of the following, if the signal facing the driver either exhibits no colored lights or colored lighted arrows or , exhibits a combination of such lights or arrows that fails to clearly indicate the assignment of right-of-way, or the signals are otherwise malfunctioning, including the failure of a vehicle detector to detect the vehicle: (1) Stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, if none, stop before entering the intersection; (2) Yield the right-of-way to all vehicles, streetcars, or trackless trolleys in the intersection or approaching on an intersecting road, if the vehicles, streetcars, or trackless trolleys will constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways; (3) Exercise ordinary care while proceeding through the intersection. (B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
Seems a reasonable bill clarifying what to do in situations like this.
The burden of proof to prove that the light was malfunctioning falls on the driver so anyone that tries to abuse this law that gets caught will not be getting away with it.