Can you imagine such a safety campaign as I have in the headlines? Yet consider the latest from MDOT:<\/p>\n
\n\nThe 3-Foot Passing Law \u2013 Motorists are now required to give
\ncyclists 3 feet of clear\u00adance when pass\u00ading. The 3-foot law has an
\nexemption for roads that are too nar\u00adrow to allow 3 feet of clear\u00adance
\nsafely. In this case, drivers are allowed to pass cyclists with less than
\n3 feet.\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\nI will assert there are more people that are male and weigh more then 220 lbs (were I got the 4 drinks from see BAC Information below) then there are highways that are not wide enough to lawfully pass the bicycle at a distance of at least 3 feet.<\/p>\n
I will also note this law is still in effect no mater how you look at our 3′ law.<\/p>\n
\n\n\u00a721\u2013303.(b) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle that is going in the same direction shall pass to the left of the overtaken vehicle at a safe distance<\/span>.\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\nAnd there is this in the SAME statute<\/b> as well:<\/p>\n
\n\n\u00a7 21-1209.
\n(a) Drivers to exercise due care.- Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the driver of a vehicle shall:
\n.(1) Exercise due care to avoid colliding with any bicycle, EPAMD, or motor scooter being ridden by a person;\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\nI really have to ask does MDOT summary even come close to expressing due care in avoiding colliding with any bicycle is a legal requirement no mater the width of the road? I will also note that a two lane highway does not fall under this exception, we are taking about a narrower highway with less then two lanes. <\/p>\n
\nJim Titus had a great response:<\/p>\n
\n\nMy main concern is that the statement quoted is incorrect in at least
\nthree ways.
\na. First, the exception applies for “highways” that are too narrow, not
\n“roads” that are too narrow. Legally, these two words are not synonyms.
\nb. Second, the law does not say that one can pass with less than three
\nfeet, only that the specific statutory requirement does not apply. It is
\nan open question what the required passing clearance is on a narrow
\nhighway, just as it is an open question as to what even if a narrow
\nhighway. Bottom line: No authoritative legal opinion exists that
\nidentifies any specific road where a driver is allowed to pass with less
\nthan three feet–so why invite general readers to speculate?
\nc. The statute has some exceptions, not exemptions. Exemptions are part
\nof the tax law.\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n
\nReferences:
\n8-101 Definitions
\n(i) Highway. \u2013 \u201cHighway\u201d includes:
\n(1) Rights-of-way, roadway surfaces, roadway subgrades, shoulders, median dividers,
\ndrainage facilities and structures, related stormwater management facilities, and
\nstructures, roadway cuts, roadway fills, guardrails, bridges, highway grade separation
\nstructures, railroad grade separations, tunnels, overpasses, underpasses, interchanges,
\nentrance plazas, approaches, and other structures forming an integral part of a street,
\nroad, or highway, including bicycle and walking paths; and
\n(2) Any other property acquired for the construction, operation or use of the highway.<\/p>\n\u00a7 21-1209. Throwing object at bicycle, motor scooter, or EPAMD.
\n(a) Drivers to exercise due care.- Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the driver of a vehicle shall:
\n.(1) Exercise due care to avoid colliding with any bicycle, EPAMD, or motor scooter being ridden by a person; and
\n.(2) When overtaking a bicycle, an EPAMD, or a motor scooter, pass safely at a distance of not less than 3 feet, unless, at the time:
\n..(i) The bicycle, EPAMD, or motor scooter rider fails to operate the vehicle in conformance with \u00a7 21-1205(a) of this subtitle (“Riding to right side of roadway”) or \u00a7 21-1205.1(b) of this subtitle (“Roadway with bike lane or shoulder paved to smooth surface”);
\n..(ii) A passing clearance of less than 3 feet is caused solely by the bicycle, EPAMD, or motor scooter rider failing to maintain a steady course; or
\n..(iii) The highway on which the vehicle is being driven is not wide enough to lawfully pass the bicycle, EPAMD, or motor scooter at a distance of at least 3 feet.
\n(b) Throwing objects.- A person may not throw any object at or in the direction of any person riding a bicycle, an EPAMD, or a motor scooter.
\n(c) Opening doors with intent to strike, injure, etc.- A person may not open the door of any motor vehicle with intent to strike, injure, or interfere with any person riding a bicycle, an EPAMD, or a motor scooter.
\n(d) Yielding right-of-way.- Unless otherwise specified in this title, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a person who is lawfully riding a bicycle, an EPAMD, or a motor scooter in a designated bike lane or shoulder if the driver of the vehicle is about to enter or cross the designated bike lane or shoulder. <\/p>\n