Upcoming Events for January

Saturday, January 28, 2012 – Frozen Feet Run – LaSalle Middle School

Subdivision Meetings

Winding Trails and Villages of Winding Trails both have subdivision meetings this month. If
you are a resident of either of those subdivisions and wish to attend, look to your subdivisions
website or contact a trustee for further information.

Crime Statistics – www.stlouisco.com/LawandPublicSafety/PoliceDepartment

Motorcycles and Bicycles at Electric Signals

Two weeks ago I was listening to KMOX when I heard a discussion about motorcycles and
bicycles being able to stop and then proceed, when safe to do so at an electric signal during a red
light. I’m not talking about making a right on red either. I’m saying they can take a right, go
straight, or even take a left as long as they have a safe opening to do so. Due to the number of
calls that came into the Charlie Brennan show and complaints we get as a police department
about persons doing this, (particularly bicycles at Shepard Road and Highway 109) I would go
out on a limb and say that most non cyclist, whether it be self propelled or motor are not aware
of any laws that allow this action. I think most cyclist that go through a red light, do so
believing they are at risk of being cited, while hoping their reasoning will get them out of the
citation. The question is, will it?

Under the Missouri State Revised Statutes, Chapter 304, section 304.285 it is referred to as an
affirmative defense. An affirmative defense refers to conditions that led to an action that
otherwise would be a violation. The defendant is allowed to use these conditions as an excuse
for their actions in the hope that the investigating officer and or judge if a citation is issued will
find their actions reasonable for the circumstances. Now you probably want to know what the
circumstances have to be to use this defense when operating a motorcycle or bicycle.

Any person operating a motorcycle or bicycle enters or crosses an intersection controlled by a
traffic control signal against a red light shall have an affirmative defense to that charge if the
person establishes the following conditions:

o The motorcycle or bicycle has been brought to a complete stop;
o The traffic control signal continues to show a red light for an unreasonable time;
o The traffic control is apparently malfunctioning or, if programmed or engineered to
change to a green light only after detecting the approach of a motor vehicle, the signal
has apparently failed to detect the arrival of the motorcycle; and
o No motor vehicle or person is approaching on the street or highway to be crossed or
entered is so far away from the intersection that it does not constitute an immediate
hazard.

The reasoning behind the law is that most electric signals are activated by sensors. Not all of
course, but do you know which ones are and are not. Most of us don’t. So you have probably
figured it out by now that bicycles and some motorcycles may not trip the electric signal. This
defense was created so cyclist of any kind would not have to sit and wait an unreasonable
amount of time at a light that they have no way of triggering. Unless a motorcycle or bicycle is
first at the signal and or the only one at the signal this defense would not apply. When bicycles
ride, right up next to the first car, sharing the lane, this would again not apply. If they are
sharing the lane, they too should wait as there is no expectation that they would have to wait an
unreasonable amount of time since the time frame in that case is no longer than the normal light
cycle that was triggered by the vehicle they are sharing the lane with.

Many of you, like talk show radio listeners are people who like to stay informed. Good, bad or
indifferent, it’s good to know the law. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, but an affirmative
defense when appropriately used is.

I found the topic interesting and hope you did as well.

Questions – If you have questions regarding city, county or state ordinances and or any oth
law enforcement related issue, don’t hesitate to call and or email your question
jreiter@stlouisco.com and or bwood@stlouisco.com .

Reminder- St. Louis County, Wildwood Police Department offers vacation checks for your
home when you’re out of town. Call the Wildwood Precinct at 458-9194 or go to the City of
Wildwoods website, cityofwildwood.com to fill out the form to have your resident checked.

Reminder- St. Louis County, Wildwood Precinct Neighborhood Policing Officers will assist you
in properly installing your child safety seats. Call P.O. Jamie Reiter or P.O. Brad Wood at
636-458-9194 to schedule an appointment.

Reminder – Please be respectful of posted speed limits for everyone’s safety and remember that
speed limits within our city streets are radar enforced.

Please feel free to contact the Neighborhood Policing Officers Jamie Reiter and Brad Wood at
636-458-9194 in reference to neighborhood concerns or initiating a Neighborhood Watch Group
for your subdivision.

Important Numbers
636-458-9194 Wildwood Precinct
866-371-8477 Crime Stoppers
314-889-2341 Non-Emergency 911
314-889-7233 Safe Schools Hotline
636-458-0440 Wildwood City Hall
314-863-3673 Drug Hotline
314-726-6655 Animal Control
314-615-4151 Neighborhood Preservation

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