Ride on Red Law

Ohio’s “Ride on Red” law, similar to Pennsylvania’s Act 101, allows motorists to legally drive through a red light that is not working correctly. This law has been in effect since 2016 and requires drivers to use caution and sound judgment.

This legislation was originally created to help motorcyclists and bicyclists, whose smaller vehicles are often too light to be detected by the weight sensors in some traffic signals. The law was later broadened to cover all vehicles. This change was prompted by an increasing number of drivers, especially those in lighter vehicles, facing long delays at unresponsive traffic lights. The problem is particularly noticeable in rural locations and during late-night hours when there are fewer large vehicles on the road to trigger the sensors. A skilled Steubenville criminal lawyer can help you understand the nuances of this law.

The law doesn’t give drivers permission to ignore traffic signals carelessly. It was introduced to offer a practical and safe solution to a common issue.

How Does This Work?

If you encounter a traffic light that appears to be broken, including one that is completely dark or blinking, you should follow these steps:

• If the light is showing green or yellow, you can drive through the intersection, but do so with caution.
• If the light is red or not lit at all, you must treat the intersection as if it has a stop sign. This means you need to come to a full stop, check carefully for any cross-traffic, and only proceed when it is safe, following the same right-of-way rules as you would at any other stop sign.

It is crucial to understand that the law does not set a specific amount of time you must wait for the light to change. The important part is to stop completely and give the signal a full cycle to turn green. If the light skips your turn, you can then proceed. Essentially, you should handle a malfunctioning light just like a stop sign. It’s wise to consult a Steubenville DUI attorney if you receive a ticket in such a situation.

This rule does not cover lights that are on a timer and simply take longer to change than others.

While it was previously understood that one could go through a completely inoperable traffic light, the updated legislation clarified that this also applies to lights that use vehicle detection technology, such as sensors. The main problem was that lighter vehicles would not trigger these sensors, leaving the light red indefinitely. Now, after waiting for a reasonable amount of time, a driver can cautiously move through the intersection. You can review the specifics of this law in the Ohio Revised Code, Title 45, Section 4511.132.

If you’ve been charged due to a faulty traffic signal, a Steubenville criminal lawyer can provide expert help and defense.

The next time you find yourself at a faulty traffic signal, remember the procedure: come to a complete stop, be cautious, and only proceed if the light is truly broken. It is also a good idea to report the malfunctioning light to the city or the local police department.

The Logue Criminal Defense

Serving Steubenville and the surrounding Ohio areas, the Logue Criminal Defense team is committed to defending your rights. To arrange a free initial consultation with an experienced Steubenville DUI attorney, please call us at 844.PITT.DUI. You can also reach us online. Our team is here to help you 24/7.