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Committee approves bill letting motorcyclists treat sensor-failing lights as stop signs after waiting
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Summary
House Bill 723 would allow motorcyclists who cannot trigger certain traffic sensors to treat the signal as a stop (four-way) after waiting two cycles (about two minutes); DOTD and state police urged refinements and enforcement discussion, and the committee reported the bill favorably.
Representative Glorioso said HB 723 responds to an everyday safety problem: at some signalized intersections motorcycles do not activate vehicle-detection sensors, leaving riders stuck at a red light and vulnerable.
"When motorcycles get to certain red lights ... they don't have enough metal, they're not heavy enough to trip the light," the author said, explaining the bill would allow waiting two cycles or two minutes and then treating the intersection as a four-way stop.
Jacqueline Lindsey, speaking for motorcycle advocates, described scenarios in which riders may wait at a sensor-controlled light and either be rear-ended or forced to attempt hazardous alternatives such as a U-turn. DOTD engineer Jog Barry told the committee there are roughly 3,000 signalized intersections on state routes and that sensor types vary (pavement loops, pole-mounted sensors, cameras). He confirmed many motorcycles do not activate detection loops.
Captain Lance Kennedy of the Louisiana State Police cautioned changing signal-culture could create enforcement complications and public-safety concerns; he urged the author to work with law enforcement on implementation details. The author agreed to continue conversations with DOTD and law enforcement.
After technical and enforcement questions and public-support cards, the committee moved HB 723 favorably to the floor.
Next steps: The author will coordinate with DOTD and law enforcement to clarify signs, public education, and enforcement guidance before floor passage.
