[TalonFiero]

Motorcycles CAN go through an intersection on a red light. I know this as my brother was once told by a cop who noticed him sitting at a light on his YSR that it was ok if there was no cars and some other stipulations I can't remember, and I also remember reading many news articles on motorcycle sites that Minnesota and Tennesee are the only states to have this law for motorcycles.

I know one of the reasons they allow motorcycles this privelage is that you are a sitting duck if you are sitting in a left turn lane that won't give you a green. You can get tagged at night from either direction by non-observant driver.

Cars do not have this privelage.

**EDIT**

Found what I was looking for.

Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 169.06, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 9. [AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE RELATING TO UNCHANGING
TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL.] (a) A person operating a motorcycle who
violates subdivision 4 by entering or crossing an intersection
controlled by a traffic-control signal against a red light has
an affirmative defense to that charge if the person establishes
all of the following conditions:
(1) the motorcycle has been brought to a complete stop;
(2) the traffic-control signal continues to show a red
light for an unreasonable time;
(3) the traffic-control signal 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
(4) no motor vehicle or person is approaching on the street
or highway to be crossed or entered or is so far away from the
intersection that it does not constitute an immediate hazard.
(b) The affirmative defense in this subdivision applies
only to a violation for entering or crossing an intersection
controlled by a traffic-control signal against a red light and
does not provide a defense to any other civil or criminal action.

Jim