Originally Posted by
Long Tom
That's very very similar to sections in the ODOT manual I linked to above. I *think* these pamphlets are put out in concert with an interest group or lobby- cyclists in this case.
Now I'm wondering what actual meaning they have. I mean, I'm in possession of a paper document put out by the State of Oregon saying things that may not be actually written into actual traffic law. So what power, what weight, does this pamphlet have?!
These things matter a LOT if you get in a bad accident where someone gets hurt or killed. Having been in an accident where someone died (his fault), and having gone through the ensuing process, I'm a little more tuned into the reality of these things more so than some might be.
There's a world, a universe, of difference between law and a pamphlet from a government agency. Or is there? Anyone?
I haven't seen anything in the ORS that gives authority to an agency or refers to administrative rule- generally when a state agency has authority actually regulate a specific thing, there's a specific reference and grant of authority in the ORS.
If you want, I'd be happy to send you my own personal reference on bike laws. It's comprehensive, and includes a lot of statutes that pertain to bicycles that aren't written TO bicyclists, like motorist responsibilities to bicyclists- stuff that's usually missing from most bike law pamphlets and things I've seen on the topic.
email me your email address if you want it -
bkb0000@comcast.net