Ohio fixes law that let cars run red lights; only applies to bikes

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Columbus Bureau
By Laura A. Bischoff
March 29, 2017
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Have you heard about the new law that lets drivers run red lights if the traffic light isn’t working? Yeah, forget about that.

Ohio lawmakers on Wednesday moved to pass a new bill to clarify that the run-the-redlight-if scenario only applies to bicyclists when they don’t trip the traffic light detectors embedded in the pavement.

House Bill 9 sailed through the Ohio Senate on a unanimous vote on Wednesday.

It corrects a law passed during the “craziness of lame duck” that would have let motorists run red lights if the intersection were clear, said state Rep. Kyle Koehler, R-Springfield.

The new bill swaps out the word “vehicle” and replaces it with “bicycle” in that section of the traffic laws.

Related: New law allows Ohio drivers to run red lights with specific restrictions

Related: Ohio drivers now required to leave more distance when passing bikes

The new bill needs final approval from the House and then it’ll head to Gov. John Kasich for consideration.

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Laura Bischoff is our Columbus bureau reporter and covers politics and state government. She keeps a close eye on elected leaders, public employees and taxpayer money. Bischoff tries to write stories that inform voters, hold leaders accountable and strengthen democracy.