There has always been a mutual annoyance for one another with regards to motorists and cyclists. There is a constant power struggle for who is supposed to be on the road and what the proper procedures and laws are. Pennsylvania legislators are hoping to make it easier for bikes and cars to share the road with their new bill.
PA House Bill 170 further regulates the sharing of the road by requiring a four-foot berth when passing a cyclist as well as stating that cars may not turn in front of a bike that is continuing straight. This wording is much clearer than the current regulations that simply say vehicles must pass bikes at a 'safe distance.'
By making a hard-and-fast rule this law will hopefully decrease the amount of traffic accidents that involve cyclists. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation there were more than 1,400 accidents involving bicycles in 2010 and 21 of them were fatal. Their records indicate that the age group with the most injuries was individuals aged 20 to 34, and closely following were those aged 15 to 19.
Although the bill has passed both the House and the Senate, it will not become a law until Governor Tom Corbett signs it. This law is unique from other states in the northeast because of the specific distances. The Pennsylvania DOT report also showed that the majority of fatal bicycle accidents in 2010 did not occur at intersections, which illustrates that there needs to be stricter guidelines enforced on cars passing bikes.
Advocates for cyclists in Pennsylvania seem to be optimistic about the positive affect this bill will have on bicycle safety should it get signed into law.
Accidents involving bicycles can be extremely devastating and most times it will be the cyclist who is badly injured. If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident, contact Console & Hollawell and speak with one of their accident attorneys in Philadelphia. Together you can learn what your legal rights and options are and seek the compensation you deserve.
