{"id":227981785,"date":"2012-03-23T16:16:25","date_gmt":"2012-03-23T16:16:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/?p=227981785"},"modified":"2012-03-23T16:16:25","modified_gmt":"2012-03-23T16:16:25","slug":"3-take-action-alerts-listed-below-including-taking-action-to-strengthen-the-3-foot-passing-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/?p=227981785","title":{"rendered":"3 take action alerts listed below including taking action to strengthen the 3 foot passing law."},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Bike<\/a><\/div>\n

\nThe Maryland 2012 General Assembly session ends in just 3 weeks.  Now is the time to take action!<\/h1>\n

\n#1:  Please click here<\/a> to take action now to support House Bill 1397 that will strengthen the current “3 foot passing” law!<\/h3>\n
\nAsk your Maryland legislators to support House Bill 1397 –  that would strengthen the \u201c3-Foot Law\u201d by allowing drivers to pass cyclists on the roadways at a safe distance in an otherwise non-passing zone, under certain safe conditions.<\/div>\n
\nTake action now to support House Bill 1397! Delegate Jon Cardin, Chair of the Bike Caucus and a long time bicycle supporter is sponsoring this important safety legislation.<\/div>\n
\nPlease show Delegate Cardin that you support his pro-bicycle legislative initiatives. It only takes one minute – please don’t wait and click here<\/span><\/a> to take action today! <\/b><\/div>\n
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\n#2:  Please click here<\/a> to require Maryland public institutions of higher education to address bicycle and pedestrian access on public campuses! This bill was already heard in the House and now will be heard by the Senate Finance Committee.<\/h3>\n
\nPlease support Senate Bill 977 that would require public institutions of higher education to develop, by fiscal year 2014, a facility master plan to address bicycle and pedestrian circulation on and near public campuses. Additionally, this bill would require these institutions to include in the facility master plan measures to incorporate bikeways and pedestrian facilities, as well as, promote biking and walking on public campuses.<\/div>\n
\nDon’t wait. Click here<\/span><\/a> to take action now! Ask the Senate Finance Committee members to support Senate Bill 977.<\/b><\/div>\n
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\n#3:  If you haven’t already done so, please click here<\/a> to ask members of the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee to OPPOSE Senate Bill 942 \/ House Bill 1405 that makes major changes to the recent law that safeguards bikers, pedestrians, vulnerable users and all who use our roads.<\/h3>\n
\nSB942 \/ HB1405 significantly changes the wording of the current Criminally Negligent Manslaughter, by Vehicle or Vessel, law (Maryland law \u00a72-210).  As a result of this law, people who cause fatalities because they drive in a criminally negligent manner, may face jail time and\/or stiffer fines rather than merely paying a few hundred dollars in traffic court. We do NOT want this law to be changed!<\/b><\/div>\n
\nSB942 \/ HB1405 would change the definition of a \u201cvehicle\u201d to exclude a \u201cmotor vehicle,\u201d and it mentions a very narrow list of reprehensible acts. This would mean that someone who drives a car, bus, SUV, or truck and takes unjustifiable risks that cause a fatality would pay a few traffic fines through traffic court. This bill also removes a prosecutor\u2019s ability to use good judgment to bring to trial those who have caused a fatality by driving in a criminally negligent way.<\/div>\n
\nBike Maryland worked tirelessly, for many years, to pass legislation to close the previous gap in Maryland law and give Marylanders some comfort in knowing that, over time, our roads will be safer because people are being held accountable for egregious, risky driving behaviors. If SB942 \/HB1405 passes, there will, again, be a loophole in Maryland law that will let criminally negligent drivers get away with manslaughter<\/b>. We know that cyclists and pedestrians are most vulnerable to risk taking drivers.<\/div>\n

\nPlease <\/a><\/b>click here<\/b><\/span><\/a> to sign the alert that OPPOSES this new bill.<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nYou will be telling them:<\/div>\n