September 28, 2012 (Press-News.org) Riding bicycles is a large part of the appeal and culture of Southern California. While thousands of riders make use of trails and special bike paths in parks, many riders take to bike lanes on city streets. With such widespread interest, motorists must be mindful of how vulnerable bicyclists are while riding in traffic. This is especially important as cars pass bicyclists and cross into bike lanes while making turns. In fact, many bicyclist fatalities in California are caused when drivers fail to yield to riders or give them proper space to maneuver.
The State Assembly recently approved a bike safety law that would specify the distance motorists must keep when passing bicyclists. Senate Bill 1464 requires drivers to provide at least three feet when passing riders. It was sponsored by the California Bike Coalition (CBC) and the City of Los Angeles and will supplant the current directive that only requires drivers to maintain a "safe distance" when passing but does not specify how much clearance a driver must provide. The bill's proponents believe that it will give drivers the proper guidance in sharing the road.
The safety campaign "Give Me 3" serves as a reminder for drivers to share the road and be wary of how close they are when passing bicyclists.
SB 1464 comes on the heels of a similar bill (SB 910) that allowed drivers to pass closer than three feet, if they slowed down to 15 miles per hour. The bill was ultimately vetoed last year amidst concerns over traffic concerns and safety issues stemming from sudden stops.
If SB 1464 is signed into law, offenders will face a minimum fine of $35 for violations that do not result in an injury. The fine could be as much as $220 if a violation results in an injury. The Long Beach Post also reports that 21 other states and the District of Columbia have passed similar minimum passing laws.
Jim Brown, Communications Director for the CBC explained to Southern California Public Radio that police officers won't be using yardsticks to measure how close every car comes to bicyclists on the street, but he believes that the law will raise important questions about passing space as future accidents are investigated. Essentially, such violations could be viewed in personal injury cases as a breach of a driver's duty to use reasonable care in looking out for bike riders.
In the meantime, injured riders can still seek compensation if they are hit by a car. If you have questions about your legal rights after an accident, an experienced attorney can advise you.
Article provided by Law Offices of Daral B. Mazzarella
Visit us at mazzarellalaw.com
"Give Me 3" Bill Passes the State Assembly
The California Assembly recently passed a bill that would give bike riders more protection on city streets. Learn more about the new law and how drivers would be affected.
2012-09-28
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Car Accidents: What to Do and Not to Do
2012-09-28
Car accidents are scary. They can put your life in chaos, result in a mountain of medical bills, take lives and cause vast amounts of stress. When an accident happens, it is important to take steps to both ensure your physical recovery and protect your legal rights.
What to Do in Case of an Accident
Immediately after an accident, take a moment to check for injuries. If you or a loved one has been hurt, emergency authorities should be notified immediately so that treatment can begin. Once that has been done, though, it is important to assess the property damage and ...
How a Texas DWI/DUI Could Affect Your Commercial Driver's License
2012-09-28
If the driver of a sedan is pulled over and charged with DWI, it can cause some challenges. The inconvenience of a suspended license, the possibility of jail time, as well as the financial hit caused by hefty fines, the court fees and the increased insurance premiums are all significant consequences that no one wants to face. If the driver of a semi truck or other commercial driver's license holder is convicted of DUI, though, the penalties are even steeper.
Commercial License DWI/DUI
The larger the vehicle, the more possibility for damage in the event of an accident. ...
Connecticut Foreclosure Rates Double: What Can Homeowners Do?
2012-09-28
Recent news regarding foreclosure rates in Connecticut shows that plenty of homeowners are still in peril of losing their homes due to financial distress. Real estate analysts disclosed that Connecticut's foreclosure rate more than doubled between July 2011 and July 2012.
Looking at current foreclosure rates on the regional level, New Haven County had the second highest rate in the state, with one in every 854 housing units in the county in foreclosure. In Fairfield County, the rate is slightly better at one of every 903 units, but the rate is much higher in cities like ...
196 Billion Text Messages: Distracted Driving is the New Drunk Driving
2012-09-28
Ubiquitous. Definition: existing everywhere, present everywhere at once or seeming to be. The cellphone is ubiquitous. No matter where you go, whether to the store, restaurants, bars, parks, movies, streets and cars. Today, cars seem to have become the new phone booths. Many drivers are on the phone before they have even backed the car out of the driveway.
Is Anyone Paying Attention?
How could they be? The phones are so enticing. Not just talking, but texting, surfing the web, shopping (one click!), checking sports scores, updating Facebook, who has time to watch ...
South Carolina Task Force Aims to Reduce DUI with More Roadblocks
2012-09-28
The Community Action for a Safer Tomorrow Coalition (CAST) has announced that the local community is going to increase its efforts to reduce drunk driving accidents and underage drinking.
The members of CAST are a taskforce of local police, highway control, representatives from the local school district and other community members. Together they plan to provide more education, more DUI checkpoints and more training for law enforcement to deter people from driving under the influence.
CAST has revealed that since March 1, 2012, the police have conducted 46 DUI checkpoints ...
Some Repeat DWI Offenders Receive Probation
2012-09-28
While more law enforcement agencies are moving towards "no refusal" protocols to take suspected drunk drivers off the road, those who are convicted are more likely to receive probation rather than jail time. Indeed, probation is common for first time offenders as many accept the terms of probation. However, a growing number of repeat offenders are receiving probation; even those convicted of their third DWI. According to a report by WOAI.com (WOAI 4 News), just over half of all felony DWI offenders across all Bexar County District Courts receive probation in cases ...
More Older Americans at Risk of Foreclosure
2012-09-28
While reports emerge about the nation's improving housing market, the effects of the ongoing foreclosure crisis still affects millions of Americans, especially the elderly. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) recently reported that nearly than 600,000 people age 50 and older are facing foreclosure, and an estimated 625,000 are at least 90 days delinquent on their mortgage payments. At the end of 2011, nearly three percent of loans held by older Americans had been foreclosed; eight times the number of foreclosures affecting older homeowners in 2007 (the year ...
Older Homeowners Hit Hard by Housing Crash
2012-09-28
Jewel Lewis-Hall, 57, works two jobs. Her husband lost his job at a farmer's market and has been unable to earn much money since. They live a fairly modest lifestyle, driving a 1991 car for example, but they are still unable to make enough money to pay the mortgage on their Washington home. They had been making late payments for around a year when the dreaded foreclosure letter arrived. Now, what was once a bright future is much less certain and hopeful.
The housing market crash hit older Americans particularly hard. According to a new AARP Public Policy Institute report, ...
Chicago's Ralph E. Meczyk Played a Vital Role in Peterson Defense
2012-09-28
In a high-profile criminal matter like the recent murder trial of Drew Peterson, the testimony of one witness can make or break the case. Chicago criminal defense attorney Ralph E. Meczyk demonstrated the importance of effective cross-examination in the Peterson trial, exposing important nuances in witness testimony.
One of six defense attorneys representing Peterson, Meczyk avoided the media spotlight throughout the course of the trial. "It's not my style," he explained to the Chicago Tribune.
Instead, he chose to shine inside the courtroom, specifically ...
Virginia Government Takes Important Step Toward Reducing Eyewitness Misidentification
2012-09-28
It is a question faced by law enforcement agencies around the country: are eyewitness identifications trustworthy? Research performed by The Innocence Project indicates that they aren't. Innocence Project figures reveal that up to 75 percent of cases wherein a wrongfully convicted individual's innocence was proven by DNA testing involved a misidentification by an eyewitness.
Virginia's Eyewitness Identification Policies
Fourteen of The Innocence Project's 289 overturned wrongful convictions have been in Virginia. As a result, the Commonwealth's law enforcement agencies ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Call for papers: 14th Asia-Pacific Conference on Transportation and the Environment (APTE 2025)
A novel disturbance rejection optimal guidance method for enhancing precision landing performance of reusable rockets
New scan method unveils lung function secrets
Searching for hidden medieval stories from the island of the Sagas
Breakthrough study reveals bumetanide treatment restores early social communication in fragile X syndrome mouse model
Neuroscience leader reveals oxytocin's crucial role beyond the 'love hormone' label
Twelve questions to ask your doctor for better brain health in the new year
Microelectronics Science Research Centers to lead charge on next-generation designs and prototypes
Study identifies genetic cause for yellow nail syndrome
New drug to prevent migraine may start working right away
Good news for people with MS: COVID-19 infection not tied to worsening symptoms
Department of Energy announces $179 million for Microelectronics Science Research Centers
Human-related activities continue to threaten global climate and productivity
Public shows greater acceptance of RSV vaccine as vaccine hesitancy appears to have plateaued
Unraveling the power and influence of language
Gene editing tool reduces Alzheimer’s plaque precursor in mice
TNF inhibitors prevent complications in kids with Crohn's disease, recommended as first-line therapies
Twisted Edison: Bright, elliptically polarized incandescent light
Structural cell protein also directly regulates gene transcription
Breaking boundaries: Researchers isolate quantum coherence in classical light systems
Brain map clarifies neuronal connectivity behind motor function
Researchers find compromised indoor air in homes following Marshall Fire
Months after Colorado's Marshall Fire, residents of surviving homes reported health symptoms, poor air quality
Identification of chemical constituents and blood-absorbed components of Shenqi Fuzheng extract based on UPLC-triple-TOF/MS technology
'Glass fences' hinder Japanese female faculty in international research, study finds
Vector winds forecast by numerical weather prediction models still in need of optimization
New research identifies key cellular mechanism driving Alzheimer’s disease
Trends in buprenorphine dispensing among adolescents and young adults in the US
Emergency department physicians vary widely in their likelihood of hospitalizing a patient, even within the same facility
Firearm and motor vehicle pediatric deaths— intersections of age, sex, race, and ethnicity
[Press-News.org] "Give Me 3" Bill Passes the State AssemblyThe California Assembly recently passed a bill that would give bike riders more protection on city streets. Learn more about the new law and how drivers would be affected.