3-ft passing law moves forward in CA

[mvrider]

http://calbike.org/assembly-approves-3-foot-passing-bill/#more-4096
http://calbike.org/advocacy/safe-passing/

Passed by the Assembly, now onto the Senate & Governor Moonbeam!

Text of the bill:
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201120120SB1464

http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Give-Me-3-feet.jpg

[biker72]

Rick Perry the Texas governor vetoed our safe passing bill....:mad:

[victoryfactory]

Too bad you can't have a law against stupidity.

We can call it DWS

DWS.... Don't do it!

[Liv2RideHard]

We have that law here in Florida. Without educating the public, it does no good. Hasn't made a difference here IMO. For example, just the other day I was out. Car was an obvious less than 3 ft from me. 2nd car back...a Sheriff. Did he pull the guy over that about clipped me? No. I hope some good comes out of it here and for CA. Cheers.

[bikser]

We have that here in Colorado, but I don't see how its enforceable, never heard of anyone receiving a ticket for it.

Step in the right direction though.

I had a buddy in NC, where they have an 18" law. He was essentially attacked by a vehicle (driven into purposefully), he was hit, no one ticketed.

[Steve in SLO]

Although a symbolic victory, it will likely be on the same level as our anti-cell phone and texting laws: On the books with little public support/insight and little to no ability to enforce.

[bobswire]

I think this is a good thing but at the same time I see more problems with city drivers afraid to pass a cyclist even though there is room on the street and they end up causing a traffic back-up not the cyclist.

[gregj]

Still, this is necessary to have on the books, so that you can at least establish that the driver did something illegal. Without it, the argument that it's unsafe to pass within 3 feet is nothing more than your opinion. It will be law if it passes.

[LesMiner]

Minnesota has had the 3 foot rule for sometime. I doubt anyone has been ticketed for violating it.
the operator of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle or individual proceeding in the same direction on the roadway shall leave a safe distance, but in no case less than three feet clearance, when passing the bicycle or individual and shall maintain clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle or individual.

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . that lets legislators claim they have "solved" the problem. No way to prove somebody violated it unless they actually hit you--and by then it's too late. You're already injured--or dead.

BBD

[smead]

While it may not result in many tickets, and zombie drivers will be zombies no matter what, Ir will certainly help some drivers think twice who feel bikes do not belong on the road period. And if they post some of those signs on narrow roads w/ no shoulder, it's just a little something for some to think about who like to blow by w/ 1' to spare and not slow down / pass when safe. If it causes some backups here and there because some will be too cautious to cross the double yellow, so be it. That occurs today on roads with big rigs. It's a reminder to all drivers to pass when it is safe and whatever is safe for them given their driving skills.

All in all, I see this as goodness for CA cyclists.

[mvrider]

We found in southern France that cars on the country roads gave us a wide berth. We were puzzled at first, until we learned of the passing law. Damn Socialists! ;)

http://cyclingeurope.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/cars-passing-cyclist-sign.jpg

[christian]

1.5m = ~ 4' 10".

[dd74]

I think this is a good thing but at the same time I see more problems with city drivers afraid to pass a cyclist even though there is room on the street and they end up causing a traffic back-up not the cyclist.
Hmmm, no one's afraid to pass cyclists here in El Lay. In most cases the drivers pass at full throttle too and much less than three feet. It's begun to make me think I have to leave L.A. (the city, that is) to find a reasonably safe place to ride.

[67-59]

I live in MN, and like others from various states have said, I don't think the general public has a clue about our 3-foot law. I still get a$$holes that pass within inches...and overly cautious drivers that won't pass unless there is a full lane between us. It will only make a difference with a combination of education and enforcement...and I just don't think we're a high enough priority.

And frankly, if it gets down to spending money to educate the public on this, or to spread the "don't text and drive" message, I would most definitely prefer the latter.