Traffic Light Loop Sensors

26th October 2010

Riders on the NI Bikers Forum have highlighted an issue on our roads regarding motorcycles.

This time it considers certain Traffic Light Loop Sensors which are embedded in the road surface. Riders report that the sensors are not triggering the traffic lights during time periods when traffic is light or late at night & early in the morning.

This is forcing riders to either “take a chance” to go through the red light; use various means of approach to traffic lights to try and activate the sensors or wait for a car to turn up to trigger the sensors.

Previously, advice was sought from the PSNI and although sympathetic that it was frustrating to be stuck at traffic lights for long periods while they remain red, stated that it would be illegal to jump the lights and the rider could be liable for prosecution.

Examples of various means of approach to traffic lights ranged from: Pass over all the loops approaching the lights and sit on the last one – Push the bike backwards across the overbanding (“tar strip”) that goes over the sensors usually works – Check behind you, then stop on the loop/strip of overbanding furthest back from the lights – stamp really hard – it works!

Report A Road Fault Click Here

Right To Ride’s, Trevor Baird says, “If stopped while going through a red light in the early hours of the morning, your explanation to a police officer about the sensor and that you checked to make sure it was safe to do so, might be more plausible than explaining your sanity, having just been observed wheeling your bike backwards and forwards and stamping on the road.”

However at Right To Ride we say don’t get frustrated, there is a way to solve this and that is to report the fault on the Roads Service “Report A Fault” online.

There is an option on the online form to select traffic lights not working and space to leave details, make sure to mention that the problem is related to a motorcycle.

Does reporting a fault work?  Well one rider reports, “I used this link you provided last night and got this response………… “The sensitivity of the detection has been increased. This problem should now be resolved. If you are still having difficulties please let us know. Thanks for passing on this information.”

The rider also received a separate pdf format response from a different person in the roads service saying they will issue a reply by 10th Nov.

The rider reports that, “For the first time ever, the lights changed for me this morning, so top job Mr Roads Service.”

If Traffic Light Loop Sensors are not working for you and you don’t report the problem then they won’t know and the sensors won’t be adjusted.

Don’t just stamp your foot, report the fault!

As that infamous Meerkat Aleksandr says – “Simples!”

Roads Service – Report A Road Fault Click Here

How The Americans Fix The Issue!

[youtube 8GAacxGiV4A nolink]

Share Button

Comments Will No Longer Be Posted

  1. Right To Ride says

    Then again you may not want the sensors to work 😉
    Click Here

Speak Your Mind

*