6/30/05-A bill that sought to outlaw the use of devices that can change some traffic signals from red to green is dead.
S281, sponsored by Sen. Owen Johnson, R-West Babylon, remained in the Assembly Transportation Committee at the close of the session June 24, effectively killing it for the year. It previously passed the Senate by unanimous consent.
A traffic-light changer is designed to allow police, fire and other emergency officials to clear intersections before they approach. But some drivers have managed to purchase them on the Internet for less than a couple of hundred dollars.
The bill was intended to deter anyone other than public safety and transit agencies from using so-called mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRTs. Violators would have faced a fine as much as $300.
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.
Johnson can pick up the bill from where it left off when lawmakers return to the Capitol for the session that begins in January 2006.

3/22/05-The Senate voted 66-0 March 16 to approve a bill that would outlaw the use of devices 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 drivers have managed to purchase them on the Internet for less than a couple of hundred dollars.
S281, offered by Sen. Owen Johnson, R-West Babylon, is intended to deter anyone other than public safety and transit agencies from using so-called mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRTs. Violators would face a fine as much as $300.
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 has been forwarded to the House for consideration.
For bill status, call (518) 455-7545. In New York, call 1-800-342-9860.

3/4/05-Sen. Owen Johnson, R-Babylon, has introduced a bill that would outlaw the use of devices 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 drivers can purchase them on the Internet for a couple of hundred dollars.
S281 would fine violators as much as $300.
The measure is intended to deter anyone other than public safety and transit agencies from using so-called mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRTs.
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.
A recent U.S. Department of Transportation survey showed the devices are in use at 26,500 intersections in 78 cities across the country.
For bill status, call (518) 455-7545. In New York, call 1-800-342-9860.
A similar bill – S94 – also is in the Senate Transportation Committee.