6/28/04-Gov. Kathleen Blanco signed a bill into law June 23 outlawing devices in Louisiana that can change some traffic signals from red to green.
“Traffic control pre-emption devices” are designed to allow police, fire and other emergency officials to clear intersections before they approach.
The new law, previously HB188, bans the purchase, selling or use of a so-called mobile infrared transmitter, or MIRT, by anyone other than public safety and transit agencies.
It stipulates that violators of the ban be jailed for up to a year, fined a maximum of $5,000, or both.
The devices, which sit on a vehicle’s dash, are not regulated by current federal standards because they rely on a beam of light instead of a radio wave to trigger the light-changing mechanisms that have been attached to some intersections.
The new law will take effect Aug. 15.

6/14/04-Senate lawmakers unanimously approved a bill to outlaw a device that can change some traffic signals from red to green.
A traffic-light changer is designed to allow police, fire and other emergency officials to clear intersections before they approach.
HB188, sponsored by Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, was approved by the Senate 38-0 June 10. The bill, which previously passed the House 104-0, has been sent back to the chamber for approval of Senate changes.
The bill is intended to deter anyone other than public safety and transit agencies from buying, selling or using the so-called mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRT.
Richmond’s bill stipulates that violators be jailed for up to a year, fined a maximum of $5,000, or both.
The devices, which sit on a vehicle’s dash, are not regulated by current federal standards because they rely on a beam of light instead of a radio wave to trigger the light-changing mechanisms that have been attached to some intersections.
For bill status, call (225) 342-2456. In Louisiana, call 1-800-256-3793.

4/23/04-The House unanimously approved legislation April 16 to outlaw a device that can change some traffic signals from red to green.
A traffic-light changer is designed to allow police, fire and other emergency officials to clear intersections before they approach.
HB188, sponsored by Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, is intended to deter anyone other than public safety and transit agencies from buying, selling or using the so-called mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRT.
Richmond’s bill stipulates that violators be jailed for up to a year, fined a maximum of $5,000, or both.
The devices, which sit on a vehicle’s dash, are not regulated by current federal standards because they rely on a beam of light instead of a radio wave to trigger the light-changing mechanisms that have been attached to some intersections.
The bill is in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
For bill status, call (225) 342-2456. In Louisiana, call 1-800-256-3793.

4/20/04-A bill before the full House would outlaw a device that can change some traffic signals from red to green.
A traffic-light changer is designed to allow police, fire and other emergency officials to clear intersections before they approach. But some impatient drivers have managed to purchase them on the Internet for about $325.
HB188, sponsored by Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, is intended to deter anyone other than public safety and transit agencies from buying, selling or using the so-called mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRT.
Richmond’s bill stipulates that violators be jailed for up to a year, fined a maximum of $5,000, or both.
The devices, which sit on a vehicle’s dash, are not regulated by current federal standards because they rely on a beam of light instead of a radio wave to trigger the light-changing mechanisms that have been attached to some intersections.