3-Feet rule

[DebW]

I think 3 feet is too simplistic. There needs to be a formula incorporating the the volume and speed of the vehicle. Clearly a semi-truck at 50 mph has a wider range of influence (wake and vortex) than a Honda Fit at 30 mph. But 3 feet is probably good for most roads that cyclists ride on (assume speed limts less that 45 mph and few large trucks/buses).

[Biciclista]

I agree with you Deb. Without getting out yardsticks, who can judge what 3 feet is from a moving vehicle? and if you'll look at the fenders and bumpers of cars you might notice that they have no idea where their cars begin and end anyway. three feet from what?

[Thorn]

Never the less, in many states 3 feet is the law, yet most motorists don't releaize it. I live in a 3 foot state. As I explained to one motorist, that would be 3 feet from the edge of your outside mirror to the edge of my oversized middle-aged a**. He really had no idea and had felt his pass was safe.

The guy in that video (who is not the guy selling the jerseys) has not just been educating motorists, he's been educating local law enforcement. If a cyclist is hit is almost certainly a violation of the 3-foot rule. While that should constitute an immediate ticket, alas, it does not. Oh for the world where I could get at least 3 feet from every vehicle.

[PscyclePath]

The 3-foot laws exist now in 14 states; with Texas still in the runnig to become #15. It's a decent, "feel good" law, but the problem is that they are virtually never enforced. Tennessee's 3-foot passing law didn't protect David Meek in Chattanooga early last month when he was buzzed by a mail truck, which caught his left pannier and dragged him and his bike under the rear wheels. Dave died; the driver, protesting "I never saw him," was not indicted for violating the law despite the prima facie evidence of the dead cyclist.

Arkansas has had the law on the books now for 2 years, NO ONE has been cited or ticketed for its violation; for the most part even the cops don't know the law is on the books because there's been no outreach or education about it outside of the various "Road I" classes.

[Biciclista]

don't feel bad, some of the police in my fair city don't know the difference between a parking lane and a bike lane even when all are clearly marked. Expecting them to be able to understand or enforce a 3 foot rule is beyond reasonable expectations.

[OakLeaf]

aw, h*ll, they can't even understand assured clear distance when the object in front of the car happens to be a bicycle.

[malkin]

Many drivers seem to think it means 3' from the driver's seat.