Comments on: Safe Passing for Safe Streets

By: Khal Spencer

Khal Spencer — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:15:43 +0000

I agree with Mr. Kille in that the best use for these campaigns is to change driver behavior. One size fits all solutions for passing are not good, unless the one size is “think before you pass”.

This morning while driving in our neighborhood, we got to play chicken with a pickup truck driver. In order to pass a stopped bus, he went over the double yellow line and was headed straight for us. As long as such blockhead behavior is out there, three foot laws are of limited use. Its the blockheads and the clueless who kill people. Hence the call for greater accountability.

By: arthur kille

arthur kille — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:00:35 +0000

“I’m less concerned with setting a three foot or five foot distance than I am with enforcing higher standards of vehicle operation. Drivers should not have to be told whether to be three or five feet away. For one thing, we know it is also subject to the speeds involved. I don’t want to be passed at three feet by a 65 mph truck.”

This is a terrific point you make. It is similar to the same logic that Forester, John would use against Bike Lanes.

I can appreciate and agree with you both; however, maybe theses “solutions” (B. Lanes & 3′ Campaigns/Laws) are the best tools available for having motorist recognize that cyclists, at the very least, are protected by the law? As far as teaching common sense, and especially courtesy, well I would say that is just to large a task.

By: The Bike Pittsburgh Blog Archives » Week’s Links: 1.27.12

The Bike Pittsburgh Blog Archives » Week’s Links: 1.27.12 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:14:21 +0000

[...] case you haven’t heard, PA Senators voted 45-5 in favor of the “Safe Passing Law.” It is now off to Governor Corbet’s desk for his [...]

By: Khal Spencer

Khal Spencer — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:29:22 +0000

I’m less concerned with setting a three foot or five foot distance than I am with enforcing higher standards of vehicle operation. Drivers should not have to be told whether to be three or five feet away. For one thing, we know it is also subject to the speeds involved. I don’t want to be passed at three feet by a 65 mph truck.

Also, in the above example, its obvious that the offending motorist should not have been drunk. That is the real issue. As is enforcement. In New Mexico, we have ten time DWIs behind the wheel!

Of equal importance to overtaking distance, where I live, is the common game of chicken. It is extremely important that a motorist not pass into oncoming traffic and then panic and veer right, hitting a cyclist. We have ghost bikes testifying mutely to that practice.

New Mexico law is not specific on lateral overtaking distance but defines passing in terms of both not endangering either the overtaken vehicle or oncoming vehicles.

66-7-312. Limitations on overtaking on the left.

“No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless such left side is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken. In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to the right-hand side of the roadway before coming within one hundred feet of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.”

Thanks for the discussion, Matt.