Three-feet law gaining attention after accident
Laws were enacted in California to help encourage drivers to share the road with cyclists, but even in the Coachella Valley the message hasn’t become crystal clear. John Siegel’s been an avid cyclist for nearly 30 years and was happy when the state enacted the Three-Feet safety law a month ago. But when a member of his cycling group was hit by a car on Saturday in Palm Desert, officers failed to issue the driver in the accident any citation. “We found out talking to the lead investigator that he was unaware that she had broken a law,” said Siegel. “He said that he didn’t know that she had broken a law and everybody at the scene knew about the new law.”
The law states that all motorists have to provide at least three feet of clearance between their vehicle and a bicyclist when passing the bicyclist traveling in the same direction. Websites have been created, called sharethedamnroad.com, marked with designed shirts with clever logos, and even mirrored front lettering so drivers can read it correctly in a rear or side-view mirror after passing the cyclist. “I think it’s all a matter of awareness because I think everybody has the same set of motivations. We’re all interested in making sure that people are safe.”
The three-feet law was enacted to help prevent accidents, but when officers don’t even know the new laws to enforce, that sense of safety for cyclists practically disappears. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office could not comment on whether the officers at the scene knew the law or not, but did state that officers are educated through briefings and press releases, among other things. The hope is in the future, there will be less victims like Siegel’s fellow cyclist who was hospitalized with broken bones, and more of an awareness for drivers, as well as law enforcement. “I look at this positively, that this is an opportunity to improve safety by people knowing things.” Siegel added, “And there’s no way local drivers are going to have a fair shake if the local police force hasn’t been briefed on it.”
