Personal Injury Law

Safe Passing Ordinance: Part 2

By Beth Janicek

On Sunday the front page of the San Antonio Express News had an article 'Safe Passing: Difficult to Enforce, Law May Alter Driver Mind Set.' Last week I blogged (Possible Safe Passing Rule for San Antonio Cyclists) about this potential safe passing ordinance that San Antonio City Council committee voted unanimously to pass.

A San Antonio driver who hits a pedestrian or bicyclists rarely faces legal consequences, even when the injured or deceased were following the rules. While the Safe Passing ordinance will not result in a ticket or fine, proponents of the ordinance believe that the law would be more than unenforceable words on paper. They believe that the purpose would be more as an educational tool rather than enforcement.

The ordinance would clearly state that drivers have to exercise extra caution around 'vulnerable road users' which includes: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, scooter and moped riders, wheelchair users, horseback riders, road and utility workers, farm equipment operators, and two truck operators. It would require that all cars and light trucks to give a minimum of three feet clearance, when the roadway permits. The fine would be a maximum of $200.

In my blog last week, I quoted San Antonio Deputy Police Chief Mike Burns who said the existing laws were sufficient and the new ordinance would be difficult to enforce. However, the article in the Express News said that Police Chief William McManus issued a statement that Burns was not speaking for the Department and that the police would accept any ordinance passed by the city council.

Full post as published by San Antonio Personal Injury Lawyer on January 26, 2010 (boomark / email).