Hat tip goes out to CHP-Contra Costa County for providing the following information regarding a new law the went into effect yesterday called the Three Feet For Safety Act.
The Three Feet for Safety Act, a state law passed by the State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown, takes effect today.
Drivers have always been required to allow a safe distance between their vehicle and bicyclists as they legally pass to bicyclist’s left. This new law now more clearly defines that safe distance as 3-feet. Under this new traffic law, if a driver cannot provide the 3-foot safety cushion, they must slow down and may only pass when doing so would not endanger the safety of the bicyclist or cause damage to the bicycle. Always error on the side of caution.
Motorist found in violation of this law will be subject to fines of $35 plus court assessments, which increase the cost to $237. The base cost rises to $220 if a collision occurs and the bicyclist is injured. Additionally, violating this law constitutes as a “moving violation” and if found guilty is one point against the violator’s driving record.
Bicyclists are also reminded that they are required to obey all traffic laws. Safety and courtesy is everyone’s responsibility.
Here is a look at the actual Assembly Bill which was approved by Governor Brown in September 2013.
AB 1371, Bradford. Vehicles: bicycles: passing distance.
Under existing law, a driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle or a bicycle proceeding in the same direction is required to pass to the left at a safe distance without interfering with the safe operation of the overtaken vehicle or bicycle, subject to certain limitations and exceptions. A violation of this provision is an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding $100 for a first conviction, and up to a $250 fine for a 3rd and subsequent conviction occurring within one year of 2 or more prior infractions.This bill would enact the Three Feet for Safety Act, which would require the driver of a motor vehicle overtaking and passing a bicycle that is proceeding in the same direction on a highway to pass in compliance with specified requirements applicable to overtaking and passing a vehicle, and to do so at a safe distance that does not interfere with the safe operation of the overtaken bicycle, having due regard for the size and speed of the motor vehicle and the bicycle, traffic conditions, weather, and the surface and width of the highway. The bill would prohibit, with specified exceptions, the driver of the motor vehicle that is overtaking or passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a highway from passing at a distance of less than 3 feet between any part of the motor vehicle and any part of the bicycle or its operator. The bill would make a violation of these provisions an infraction punishable by a $35 fine.The bill would also require the imposition of a $220 fine on a driver if a collision occurs between a motor vehicle and a bicyclist causing bodily harm to the bicyclist, and the driver is found to be in violation of the above provisions. This bill would make these provisions operative on September 16, 2014.Because this bill would create a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 21750 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
21750.
(a) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle or a bicycle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left at a safe distance without interfering with the safe operation of the overtaken vehicle or bicycle, subject to the limitations and exceptions set forth in this article.
(b) This section shall become inoperative on September 16, 2014, and, as of January 1, 2015, is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that becomes operative on or before January 1, 2015, deletes or extends the dates on which it becomes inoperative and is repealed.SEC. 2.
Section 21750 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
21750.
(a) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left at a safe distance without interfering with the safe operation of the overtaken vehicle, subject to the limitations and exceptions set forth in this article.
(b) This section shall become operative on September 16, 2014.SEC. 3.
Section 21760 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
21760.
(a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the Three Feet for Safety Act.
(b) The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking and passing a bicycle that is proceeding in the same direction on a highway shall pass in compliance with the requirements of this article applicable to overtaking and passing a vehicle, and shall do so at a safe distance that does not interfere with the safe operation of the overtaken bicycle, having due regard for the size and speed of the motor vehicle and the bicycle, traffic conditions, weather, visibility, and the surface and width of the highway.(c) A driver of a motor vehicle shall not overtake or pass a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a highway at a distance of less than three feet between any part of the motor vehicle and any part of the bicycle or its operator.(d) If the driver of a motor vehicle is unable to comply with subdivision (c), due to traffic or roadway conditions, the driver shall slow to a speed that is reasonable and prudent, and may pass only when doing so would not endanger the safety of the operator of the bicycle, taking into account the size and speed of the motor vehicle and bicycle, traffic conditions, weather, visibility, and surface and width of the highway.(e) (1) A violation of subdivision (b), (c), or (d) is an infraction punishable by a fine of thirty-five dollars ($35).(2) If a collision occurs between a motor vehicle and a bicycle causing bodily injury to the operator of the bicycle, and the driver of the motor vehicle is found to be in violation of subdivision (b), (c), or (d), a two-hundred-twenty-dollar ($220) fine shall be imposed on that driver.(f) This section shall become operative on September 16, 2014.
SEC. 4.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.
3 comments
Now if they would only enforce bicyclists to use the proper side of the road – in other words, traveling in the same direction as the vehicles! And enforcing bicyclists to observe stop signs!
I agree with Arne.
Both drivers and bicyclists should respect each other’s space and abide by the laws of the road.
The next law should be bicyclists need to stay three feet away from pedestrians !
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