Posted 04/15/08 By: Dragoni

 NCOM Ambassador Report

 Sorry I missed the January BOD. I ate some bad food which prevented me from leaving the house. I was disappointed that the By-Law changes regarding elections failed to pass. I heard from various people the comments that were made in failing the change as well as discussions that occurred at the Executive Committee Meetings. Unfortunately; not one single person, including those Board members that voted against the change, has sent me any of their ideas or recommendations to the changes that were presented. Because the existing Elections By-Laws require that the mailed in ballots be secured and stored for 5 years after an election, I asked about the ballots from our election in July 2007. I was informed that the ballots had been thrown in the trash already.

  I did attend the January COC meeting in preparation for Black Thursday. Mick Gillespie was also present and introduced as ABATE’s State Coordinator. Rich Bright came and made the case, and the request, for support at Black Thursday the following week. Thank you Rich! The next COC is not until April, they don’t have one every month. The Coalition Of Clubs will have their “Annual COC Run” on May 3, 2008. I will post and distribute the specifics after the next COC Meeting unless I get them sooner. If there is a flier available in time, I will submit it for the May newsletter as well as getting it up on our website.

  In view of the legislature failing to pass the “Left Turn” bill, the following is what I think we should consider. I wrote it before our bill failed.

  A Different Viewpoint

  I, like a lot of riders, have been frustrated by sensor controlled traffic signals that don’t change for me when I am riding. Like a lot of you, I support the legislation that would allow me to proceed if it didn’t change and I could be on my merry way. It has been 6 years now that ABATE has been asking the state government for some fairness on this issue and we are still being treated unfairly. Now, my narrow viewpoint of the issue has changed and the proposed “Left turn Bill” is not, in my opinion, a solution. I think we have been fighting the wrong battle because the problem is not solved by allowing me to go through a red light without, maybe, getting a traffic ticket.

I watched a young (OK, they are all young compared to me) rider on one of these small motor scooters at a traffic light in Lacey. He was trying to make a left turn and his scooter was the only motor vehicle in that left turn lane. He was screwed. It was dark, heavy traffic, and both roads were multi-lane roads both ways and that poor kid was trying his best to not get killed. It was apparent to me that he did not have a clue as to how to get the light to change for him.

For me, and all the others like that young rider, we need the government to fix the problem that places us at risk. The problem is that the WA Department of Transportation has allowed sensor controlled traffic lights to control the flow of motor vehicles without consideration of OUR motor vehicles, motorcycles in all forms. On one hand, we are charged with compliance of all the traffic laws governing the operation of a motor vehicle on the public highway and yet; on the other hand, we are prohibited the ability to safely do so in regards to traffic control signals at intersections. And now, with the proliferation of traffic light cameras being installed in increasing numbers by various entities; we are at a greater risk of traffic fines even if the “left turn” bill gets passed.

By the way; according to the NHTSA, rear end collisions increase an average of 19% at “Red Light Camera” intersections so watch your mirrors when you see those cameras.

If you read the WA department of Licensing Riders Handbook, you will not find a clear direction on how a rider is to operate a motorcycle at a sensor controlled traffic light intersection. They don’t have to tell the operators of cars because the sensors work for them.

I want it to work the same for me. It is dangerous enough at intersections without expecting me to proceed against a red light when oncoming traffic has a green light.

 I think we need the State Legislature to direct the DOT to change the specifications for traffic signal controls at intersections including the following as a minimum:

1. Signage at the intersection that identifies the traffic lights as sensor controlled, as well as the telephone number to call in case of malfunctions.

2. An indicator that will signify, in each lane, that vehicle detection has occurred.

3. Sensors that will detect all legally licensed and operated motor vehicles with appropriate roadway markings for vehicle position to trigger the sensor(s).

4. Changes to the Driver/Rider handbooks to explain the procedure for motorcycles at sensor controlled traffic light intersections.

 Until the above is accomplished; prohibit the issuing of tickets for red light violations at “Red Light Camera” monitored locations and allow an affirmative defense for tickets, issued by a Law Enforcement Officer, where the rider stopped at the light and it did not change for the rider either for left turn or for straight ahead.

 That’s my 2 cents and I welcome any responses.

Chris Dulas
NCOM Ambassador &
Former By-Laws Chair