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An Act To Allow Certain Vehicles To Make a Right Turn on a Red Light Even When Prohibited
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2057, sub-§1, ¶C, as repealed and replaced by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §36 and affected by Pt. X, §2, is amended to read:
 
C. AExcept as provided by paragraph C-3, a red light, if steady and circular, means:
 
(1) The operator must stop and remain stationary until an indication to proceed is shown; or
 
(2) The operator may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn after stopping if:
 
(a) Not prohibited by an appropriate sign such as "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED"; and
 
(b) The operator executing a turn yields the right-of-way to pedestrians on a crosswalk and to a vehicle having a green signal at the intersection.
Sec. 2.  29-A MRSA §2057, sub-§1, ¶C-3  is enacted to read:
 
C-3.  Notwithstanding paragraph C, the operator of a lightweight vehicle facing a red light, if steady and circular, after stopping for a reasonable amount of time may proceed cautiously through the intersection before the light on the traffic-control device turns green if no other vehicles are present at the intersection to actuate the traffic-control device. The operator of a lightweight vehicle proceeding through a red light under this paragraph shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicular traffic proceeding through a green light at the intersection or a pedestrian lawfully within a crosswalk or using the intersection. For the purposes of this paragraph, "lightweight vehicle" means a motorcycle, moped or bicycle, as defined in section 2063, subsection 1, or any other motor vehicle not heavy enough to actuate a traffic-control device sensor.
 
SUMMARY
This bill allows the operator of a lightweight vehicle facing a steady and circular red light, after stopping for a reasonable amount of time, to proceed cautiously through the intersection before the light on the traffic-control device turns green if no other vehicles are present at the intersection to actuate the traffic-control device. "Lightweight vehicle" means a motorcycle, moped or bicycle, including a motorized bicycle, motorized tricycle or motorized scooter or a motor vehicle not heavy enough to actuate a traffic-control device sensor.