California 3 foot law vetoed again
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California 3 foot law vetoed again
For the second time in two years, Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday vetoed legislation requiring motorists to provide at least 3 feet of space between their vehicle and bicyclists they pass.
Hopefully, cyclists ride in front of his limo whenever he's driving somewhere that has a double yellow.
#2
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https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/cali...icyclists.html
Hopefully, cyclists ride in front of his limo whenever he's driving somewhere that has a double yellow.
Hopefully, cyclists ride in front of his limo whenever he's driving somewhere that has a double yellow.
Another major setback, by the time a 3 foot bill is passed by Brown, it'll be so watered down that cyclists will end up having to give motorists a minimum of 3 feet to pass.
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Reading the article, it looks like the hang-up is that this law would have permitted crossing the double yellow line to facilitate 3 ft passing clearance.
I didn't even know it was illegal to cross a double yellow line when passing a cyclist. Happens all the time.
I didn't even know it was illegal to cross a double yellow line when passing a cyclist. Happens all the time.
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Reading the article, it looks like the hang-up is that this law would have permitted crossing the double yellow line to facilitate 3 ft passing clearance.
I didn't even know it was illegal to cross a double yellow line when passing a cyclist. Happens all the time.
I didn't even know it was illegal to cross a double yellow line when passing a cyclist. Happens all the time.
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Governor of California's misguided 'deep pockets' concern
Jerry thinks it would open the state up to liability in the event of a collision when motorists crossed the double yellow, despite the law only allowing it when it could be done safely. IMO There would be no culpability of the state.
Jerry thinks it would open the state up to liability in the event of a collision when motorists crossed the double yellow, despite the law only allowing it when it could be done safely. IMO There would be no culpability of the state.
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Why isn't this a concern in other states that have the 3-foot law? Even here in Florida (the supposed cyclists-death capital of the U.S.) we have the law. https://www.floridabicycle.org/rules/bikelaw.html
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https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/traffic_lanes.htm
Though it says no crossing a solid yellow line unless making a left turn, I've been told that you can maneuver around a hazard when safe to do so. Of course you would be sited if it was a blind pass or you if you passed while there was oncoming traffic.
Though it says no crossing a solid yellow line unless making a left turn, I've been told that you can maneuver around a hazard when safe to do so. Of course you would be sited if it was a blind pass or you if you passed while there was oncoming traffic.
Last edited by curbtender; 09-30-12 at 08:51 AM.
#10
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I trust Jerry, if he's thinking one more law is gong to end up costing more than it benefits he won't get an argument from me. I mean really...who's going to observe a 3 ft law that doesn't already yield to cyclists...no one.
Enforce the laws on the books, that's good enough for me.
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Just remove the language that makes it legal to cross the double yellow and replace it with something along the lines of "when in a no-passing zone, the motorist will move as far to the left of the lane as practical and reduce speed as necessary to ensure safety". No passing zones are a small portion of the roadway and most are wide enough that even if you don't encroach on the double yellow, you can still leave at least a couple of feet if not a full three feet of passing space. As stated, a person encroaching the double yellow for the safety of a cyclist, while not endangering anyone else, isn't likely to get cited anyway. This would pass the 3-foot rule for 90+% of the roadways and still make high speed near misses citable in no-passing zones.
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unfortunately, the continued irresponsibility of motorists has prompted highway departments everywhere to paint double yellow lines in more and more places. It has long been known that center lines reduce accidents because people become morons when they are behind the wheel. Pennsylvania made it legal to cross double yellow lines when passing a cyclist, but only when safe. I think that's a fairly good way of handling it. The law also says that passes have to be safe, which seems like a dumbing down of the law, but if that's what it takes, so be it.
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unfortunately, the continued irresponsibility of motorists has prompted highway departments everywhere to paint double yellow lines in more and more places. It has long been known that center lines reduce accidents because people become morons when they are behind the wheel. Pennsylvania made it legal to cross double yellow lines when passing a cyclist, but only when safe. I think that's a fairly good way of handling it. The law also says that passes have to be safe, which seems like a dumbing down of the law, but if that's what it takes, so be it.
#14
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TLDR: Not always illegal to pass a cyclist where there's a double-yellow line; depends on state laws.
#15
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Oh really? I guess all 37 million of us are stupid not to live in such an amazing state as Nebraska.
I trust Jerry, if he's thinking one more law is gong to end up costing more than it benefits he won't get an argument from me. I mean really...who's going to observe a 3 ft law that doesn't already yield to cyclists...no one.
Enforce the laws on the books, that's good enough for me.
I trust Jerry, if he's thinking one more law is gong to end up costing more than it benefits he won't get an argument from me. I mean really...who's going to observe a 3 ft law that doesn't already yield to cyclists...no one.
Enforce the laws on the books, that's good enough for me.
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I am Governor Jerry Brown
My aura smiles and never frowns...
My aura smiles and never frowns...
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...if nothing else, laws providing for motorists to cross double yellow lines when passing bicyclists reduce friction between motorists and bicyclists.
motorists will be less likely to hang back in a no-passing zones, railing on the horn.
motorists will be less likely to hang back in a no-passing zones, railing on the horn.
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Jerry Brown's first two terms as CA Governor: CalTrans gets a bike division (promptly removed by Deukmejian) and college is free/nearly so.
JB's second incarnation: Screw cyclists. Why don't they just drive coal-powered cars since they get access to car pool lanes in them. Screw college students too.
He was twenty-five years ahead of his time during his first two terms. He's made up for that by being fifty years behind his time this go 'round. I miss Jerry Brown the Younger.
JB's second incarnation: Screw cyclists. Why don't they just drive coal-powered cars since they get access to car pool lanes in them. Screw college students too.
He was twenty-five years ahead of his time during his first two terms. He's made up for that by being fifty years behind his time this go 'round. I miss Jerry Brown the Younger.
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In his veto letter, Brown mentioned that Caltrans had proposed a remedy to reduce liability associated with crossing the double yellow line, but that the author was unwilling to amend his bill accordingly.
Does anyone know what Caltrans had suggested?
Why was the bill's sponsor unwilling to make the suggested amendment?
Why aren't we talking about this, as it appears to be the single obstacle in the path of success?
Does anyone know what Caltrans had suggested?
Why was the bill's sponsor unwilling to make the suggested amendment?
Why aren't we talking about this, as it appears to be the single obstacle in the path of success?
#21
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In his veto letter, Brown mentioned that Caltrans had proposed a remedy to reduce liability associated with crossing the double yellow line, but that the author was unwilling to amend his bill accordingly.
Does anyone know what Caltrans had suggested?
Why was the bill's sponsor unwilling to make the suggested amendment?
Why aren't we talking about this, as it appears to be the single obstacle in the path of success?
Does anyone know what Caltrans had suggested?
Why was the bill's sponsor unwilling to make the suggested amendment?
Why aren't we talking about this, as it appears to be the single obstacle in the path of success?
#22
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Meanwhile, not slowing down greatly or changing lanes when passing an emergency or law enforcement vehicle on the side of the road can get you ticketed.
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The author probably felt that the amendment would further weaken the bill's strength, making the bill just a painted up version of the current passing law. If the author chooses to introduce another bill next year, one only can speculate what the Cal Trans, CHP, or some other state agency's think tank objection will be.
I'm trying not to be pedantic -- it seems other states have skinned this cat by permitting drivers to cross the double yellow in order to give 3 ft of clearance. What have they done to mitigate the risk of head-on collision lawsuits?
#25
Banned
Any idea what that amendment would have been? I read the veto letter, and it seems that Brown is strongly hinting that Caltrans has a path to success, if someone will take it.
I'm trying not to be pedantic -- it seems other states have skinned this cat by permitting drivers to cross the double yellow in order to give 3 ft of clearance. What have they done to mitigate the risk of head-on collision lawsuits?
I'm trying not to be pedantic -- it seems other states have skinned this cat by permitting drivers to cross the double yellow in order to give 3 ft of clearance. What have they done to mitigate the risk of head-on collision lawsuits?
https://roadwarrior.blogs.pressdemocr...ng-bicyclists/
"Brown didn’t elaborate on Caltrans’ plan, and Caltrans officials were unavailable for comment Friday evening".