Safe on Red traffic law takes effect

A traffic law, known as the Safe on Red, is now in effect.

Safe on Red essentially allows drivers of certain modes of transport to treat a red light as a stop sign under certain circumstances.

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The Nevada Legislature passed Assembly Bill 117 earlier this year to address problems that newer traffic lights pose to those using non-traditional modes of transportation.

Newer traffic lights have a sensor on the ground that is triggered, which in turn, changes the light from red to green. Those driving motorcycles, bicycles, scooters and other two and three-wheeled vehicles don’t always trigger the sensor because those modes of transport often lack the metal surface areas that cars and trucks have.

Safe on Red permits modes of transport that do not trigger the sensor to proceed through a red light under the following conditions:

• Drivers must come to a complete stop at a red light.
• After waiting for 2 complete signal cycles drivers may proceed straight through the red light, or make a left turn, as long as they yield to other traffic and pedestrians.
• Drivers must adhere to any signage prohibiting left turns. Existing signage takes precedence.

High gas prices and the general state of the economy means more people are choosing alternative modes of transportation, and the new law will reduce the amount of the time spent waiting at traffic lights for a car or truck to come through and trigger the sensor.

Safe on Red, if used responsibly, alleviates unnecessary delays, however, driver of cars and trucks need to pay careful attention to their surroundings, especially in less populated areas, and not assume that since they have a green light that there will be no other vehicles on the road.

Nevada joins a growing list of states suing Safe on Red.

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