Two new driving laws take effect on July 1 regarding motorcycles and emergency vehicles at intersections.

Drivers of motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles will be able to go through red stoplights if-if and only if-their vehicle is unable to trigger the traffic light. Under that circumstance, a cyclist would be able to treat the red light as a stop sign after waiting for two full cycles of the traffic signal or two minutes, whichever is shorter, the DMV explains.

As for emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, police cars and fire trucks, their drivers will be required-required- to either flash their emergency lights or sound the siren before driving through a red traffic signal or a stop sign.

Or, the new law states, the “driver of an emergency vehicle must come to a complete stop before proceeding through a red light if required for the safety of people and property,” the DMV states.

Sensible and safe. Nobody, not anybody, should be allowed to drive straight through a red light. Emergency vehicles are responding to accidents, incidents and tragedies. They must not inflict additional pain on the way to the scene.

As for school buses, state law will allow video cameras to be installed within school buses to record the license plates and the date and time of idiots driving past school buses stopped to pick up children on the way to school or drop off those going home in the afternoon.

A new companion law will empower localities to adopt ordinances permitting the cameras' use in school buses.

Film away. Children's lives are at stake.

-JKW-