I was wondering if anyone has tried or is using a magnetic traffic light changer? Just wondering if they work. I have trouble at certain lights tripping the sensor. I have read that you can lower your kick stand, does that work? I hate to run them, but sometimes I have no choice, and I don't need a ticket. Thanks for any help

 

Been a while since I heard of these. They was popular about 12 to 15 years ago. I don't think they came to a conclusion then as to if they worked.

 

What state are you in? Most states now have a law that allows you to proceed through a red light if it fails to change.

 

Never worked for me. I had to run the same red lights as I did before I got it. Maybe they've "improved them". lol

 

under the pavement is an inductive loop- a coil of fine wire.

when a ferrous metal like a bunch of steel goes over the loop, a small amount of current is produced- and that "should" trigger the light control.

it is not weight or mass or anything but a bunch of steel- more aluminum and plastic in vehicles make these less likely to trip than my 66 Cadillac...

IF you drag a piece of steel ( kickstand) along one of the lines you see cut in the pavement or a magnet- you can cause the light control to start thinking about changing the light.

I have magnets on my left boot, and I will drag my foot as I approach the stop.


so you can try to trick the system.

some areas use light sensors on the traffic lights which are meant to sense oncoming firetrucks, cop cars lights etc.
flashing you highbeam can sometimes trigger these...or at least it gives something to do while waiting

if you have magnets, you will pick up all kinds of cool stuff- I put a piece of tape over which I can peel back every once in a while to discard the nails, screws, washers and filing I pick up

- unfortunately many traffic engineers place these loops WAY OUT IN THE CROSS WALK- which cause cars to creep out into the crosswalk in order to make the light change- duh !

mike

 

UPDATE: Since this article was originally published, two more states have added "Dead Red" laws:

Oregon (as of January 2016): Allowed to "proceed with caution" after one full cycle of signal light
Kentucky (as of July 2015): Can cross after 2 minutes or 2 full cycles of signal light

 

Colorado is also a state in which you can proceed if the light doesn't cycle for your cycle.

 

steel toe boots

 

A steel toed boot is usually not a significant enough amount of mass to trip the sensors.

 

I once sat for three days waiting for a light to change. Then, I realized it was a blinking red in all directions. Man, did I feel like an idiot!