Washington State (USA) legislation for safe passing distances
Claire Petersky 3 March 2005 05:11:56
The House Transportation Committee is considering substitution bill HB 1108, which will legislate safe passing distances for motorists passing pedestrians and bicycles.
" (2) The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian or bicycle that is on the right-hand shoulder of the roadway shall pass to the left at a safe distance, taking into consideration the width or condition of the shoulder or roadway, the apparent age or condition of the pedestrian or bicyclist, the weather, the time of day, and other conditions and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken pedestrian or bicyclist."
Marc VanHeyningen 11 April 2005 23:32:22 [ permanent link ]
Thus said "Claire Petersky" <cpetersky@mousepotato.com>:>The House Transportation Committee is considering substitution bill HB 1108,>which will legislate safe passing distances for motorists passing>pedestrians and bicycles.>
" (2) The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian or bicycle that is>on the right-hand shoulder of the roadway shall pass to the left at a safe>distance, taking into consideration the width or condition of the shoulder>or roadway, the apparent age or condition of the pedestrian or bicyclist,>the weather, the time of day, and other conditions and shall not again drive>to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken>pedestrian or bicyclist."
So it appears that this would only legislate safe passing distances for bicyclists riding on the shoulder; for other situations the previous clause mandating passing "at a safe distance" but not specifying much of anything about what constitutes such.
Both clauses seem to give a lot of room for interpretation by all parties (motorists, cyclists, LEOs, and judges.) Is this a good thing, or would mandating a specific distance (e.g. 4 feet seems typical) be more likely to produce good results?
