Video: Testing the "3-Foot Law"
Your heroic Patch editor risks her life to determine whether College Park drivers are following a law requiring them to stay 3 feet away from cyclists.
On Oct. 1, a law went into effect that requires drivers in Maryland to maintain three feet of distance between themselves and cyclists on the road. But is this law enforceable? According to District 1 Commander Maj. Robert Liberati, the purpose of the new law is more to protect riders in general than to cite each car that breaks the 3-foot space bubble. For example, if a cyclist is injured or killed by a car, this is simply one of the charges that can be brought against the driver. "We were briefed on all the new laws and how they affect enforcement," Liberati said. "However, there's been no specialized enforcement because of that law." Nevertheless, Liberati said cyclists are encouraged to call the police if they feel bullied on the road …
Barry Childress
6:01 pm on Friday, October 22, 2010
As I commented in "New Maryland Law Aims to Protect Cyclists: But Will It?" There is a more accurate summery of the 3' law in the works. Details: http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20101005122814769 more ›