Photo by Nathan Gray

Customers of the Twisted Spoke, many of whom own motorcycles, hang out outside of the bar, which is on Clemson Boulevard in Pendleton. South Carolina recently passed a law allowing those on motorcycles, scooters and bicycles to run red lights after waiting two minutes if the light has not turned green after that amount of time.

Photo by Nathan Gray

Ray “Cuz” Painter, left, of Liberty and Shane Rhodes of Anderson wait at Clemson Boulevard and S.C. 28 for the light to turn green before driving back to the Twisted Spoke bar on U.S. 76 in Pendleton. South Carolina recently passed a law allowing those on motorcycles, scooters and bicycles to run red lights after waiting two minutes if the light has not turned green by that point.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Billy "Reb" Richardson of Sumter grew tired of having to repeatedly break the law, so he decided to work to have the law changed in his favor.

Richardson, a member of ABATE of South Carolina, a motorcycle rights organization, was the man behind the movement that led to the introduction in the South Carolina Legislature of bill S-0111. The legislation, which has become law, permits drivers of motorcyclists, mopeds and bicycles to drive through red lights after first stopping for a self-monitored two minutes.

Richardson, 63, rides his Harley Davidson a few times a week, he said. Richardson would enjoy every minute of the rides, until the end, when he had the challenge of returning home. Richardson said the traffic light standing between him and his residence was not able to detect his motorcycle.

“I'd come to the main intersection, and the light would never change,” he said. “The only way of getting past this red light would be to run the light and take a chance of getting a four-count infraction on my license, or making a right turn and U-turn to come around the other way—and hope I didn't get caught making an illegal U-turn.”

But not everyone is excited about the new law.

Doug Degambrell of Honea Path, a fuel transport driver, said he thinks it's not safe.

“I disagree with it. I see how it helps them (motorcyclists), but I think it's dangerous,” he said. “Half of them already don't wear their helmets anyway.”

Tom Crosby, vice president of communication for AAA Carolinas, said he thinks it's a bad law.

“I think that it teaches disrespect for red lights,” Crosby said.

“Motorcycles always have the option to turn right, make a U-turn if legal, if the light does not switch. There are devices that can be placed on motorcycles to trip the light.”

Crosby said he thinks people will take advantage of the new law.

“When they're approaching an intersection and the light is red, and they don't see anybody coming, I don't think motorcyclists are going to stop, they're not going to wait two minutes,” he said.

Crosby said that motorcycles, representing about 4 percent of registered vehicles in South Carolina, are involved in about 11 percent of highway fatalities in the state.

According to the South Carolina's Department of Transportation Web site, actuated traffic signals maintain a green signal on the busiest street until a vehicle on the less-traveled side approaches the intersection. The Web site acknowledges that loop detectors easily detect larger vehicles, and do not easily detect the presence of motorcyclists, bicyclists and even motorists in small cars.

South Carolina is the site of 3,600 intersections that are governed by traffic signals, according to Pete Poore, communications director for the South Carolina Department of Transportation. Among those, 1,600, or 44 percent, do not have sensors or have not been adjusted in such a manner that would accommodate a motorcyclist.

Poore said transportation department officials are available to address any particular traffic lights that citizens have issues with. Richardson said the transportation department did its best in assisting him and other motorcyclists with traffic light issues, but it wasn't quite enough.

“They were really good at responding, but the problem we run into is that the lights wouldn't hold,” he said. “Once you report another malfunction, they will set up an appointment with you, they'dhave to come out and fix it again. It's repetitive, and I got tired of repeating the process.”

Tired of being left with no choice but to break the law, Richardson decided to petition South Carolina lawmakers to amend the law so that Richardson, and thousands of other motorcyclists in the state would no longer be held hostage by a perpetually red stoplight.

Richardson's years of lobbying paid off when his idea for legislation came to fruition in the form of S-0111, which Gov. Mark Sanford signed into law on May 28.

“The intent of the law is to give the motorcyclists the ability to go through any intersection that the law permits, as long as he or she waits two minutes, and if there's no traffic coming, the motorcyclist can move on,” Poore said.

Paul Porter, a motorcyclist from Anderson, felt that motorcyclists, if anyone, should be the ones to be able to pass through a red light — after traffic has cleared, that is.

“Motorcyclists are more aware than everyone else on the road that has ever driven,” he said. “You got nothing to distract you besides what's in front of you.”

Assistant ABATE of South Carolina Coordinator Jeff Coleman felt the new law was only fair.

“This has given us the legal, lawful access to the highway systems that our fuel tax dollars are paying for,” he said.

Lance Cpl. Kathy Hiles of the South Carolina Highway Patrol said that of 99 motorcycle-related deaths in the past year statewide, 37 occurred in the Upstate. She acknowledged several concerns with the new law.

“Of course, we already have the concern because of the increased motorcycles on the road now. It does also raise a concern as to making sure that all motorcycle operators as well as mopeds and bicycles understand that they do still have to stop. This does not automatically give them right of way to go through the light,” Hiles said. “And, the other traffic does not have to yield to them.”

Besides carefully obeying highway laws to maintain safety on the roads, Hiles suggested the South Carolina Rider Education Program for motorcyclists, which is available at 11 technical colleges across the state. According to its Web site, the program's cost ranges from $65 to $225, depending on experience level. For more information, visit http://www.scridered.org/generalInfo/index.htm

A new bill signed by Gov. Mark Sanford permits drivers of motorcyclists, mopeds and bicycles to drive through red lights after a self-monitored amount of time.

There appears to be good reason, though, according to Jeff Coleman, assistant coordinator of ABATE of South Carolina, a motorcycle rights organization. But for others, this new bill raises concern.

“What it is, the majority of the red lights, in most areas, are triggered by a magnetic loop embedded in the asphalt that detect metal mass,” he said. “Motorcycles and small vehicles without substantial metal mass will not trigger the sensor, and if I’m coming up to the light to make a left turn, I’m sitting there forever, and the light will not change unless another car comes up behind me to trigger it.”

There are 3,600 sd traffic intersections in the state, according to Pete Poore, communications director for the South Carolina Department of Transportation. Among those, 1,600, or 44 percent, do not have sensors or have not been adjusted in such a manner that would accommodate a motorcyclist.

The idea for the bill originated in 2004 when a member of ABATE of South Carolina was fed up with having to “break the law,” Coleman said.

Coleman said Richardson spent two to three days a week in Columbia, distributing informational pamphlets and explaining the situation to anyone who would listen. It was those constant lobbying efforts that, over the course of four years, pushed the bill through, Coleman said.

On May 27,2008, senate bill S. 011 officially was signed into law. It states that “if a driver of a motorcycle or moped, or a bicycle rider, approached an intersection that is controlled by a traffic-control device, the driver may proceed through the intersection on a steady red light only if the driver or rider as the case may be (a) comes to a full and complete stop at the intersection for 120 seconds; and (b) exercises due care as provided by law, otherwise treats the traffic control device as a stop sign, and determines it is safe to proceed.”

“The intent of the law is to give the motorcyclists the ability to go through any intersection that the law permits, as long as he or she waits two minutes, and if there’s no traffic coming, the motorcyclist can move on,” Poore said.

Paul Porter, a motorcyclist from Anderson, felt that motorcyclists, if anyone, should be the ones to be able to pass through a red light--after traffic has cleared, that is.

“Motorcyclists are more aware than everyone else on the road that has ever driven,” he said. “You got nothing to distract you besides what’s in front of you.”

Despite a sense of relief for motorcyclists, the new law does cause concern for others.

Tom Crosby, vice president of communication for AAA Carolinas, said he thinks it’s a bad law.

“I think that it teaches disrespect for red lights. Motorcycles always have the option to turn right, make a U-turn if legal, if the light does not switch. There are devices that can be placed on motorcycles to trip the light.”

Crosby said he thinks people will take advantage of the new law.

“When they’re approaching an intersection and the light is red, and they don’t see anybody coming, I don’t think motorcyclists are going to stop, they’re not going to wait two minutes,” he said.

Crosby said that motorcycles, representing about 4 percent of registered vehicles in South Carolina, are involved in about 11 percent of highway fatalities.

Lance Cpl. Kathy Hiles of the South Carolina Highway Patrol said that of 99 motorcycle-related deaths in the past year statewide, 37 occurred in the Upstate. She acknowledged several concerns with the new law.

“Of course, we already have the concern because of the increased motorcycles on the road now. It does also raise a concern as to making sure that all motorcycle operators as well as mopeds and bicycles understand that they do still have to stop. This does not automatically give them right of way to go through the light,” Hiles said. “And, the other traffic doesn’t not have to yield to them. “

Besides carefully obeying highway laws to maintain safety on the roads, Hiles suggested the South Carolina Rider Education Program for motorcyclists, available at eleven technical colleges across the state. According to its Web site, the program provides motorcycle training for those who have never ridden a motorcycle and would like to gain experience, advanced riders who would like to sharpen their skills, and riders of all skill levels in between. Costs range from $65 to $225, depending on experience level. For more information, visit http://www.scridered.org/generalInfo/index.htm