The Latest On Statewide 3-foot Passing Law (HB145)
The statewide 3-ft passing law did not make it through the House of Representatives before their summer recess. That means now if the perfect time for you to call your state representative and tell them that when they go back to Columbus in September that you want them to support HB 145.
Visit OhioHouse.gov to find your representatives contact info.
Ohio House Bill 145 will help Ohio cyclists with two very simple changes in the Ohio Revised Code:
1. The Ohio Revised Code in Section 4511.27 already requires that motorists pass bicyclists leaving a safe passing distance. House Bill 145 sets the safe passing distance as “not less than three feet.” 21 states already have the “at least three feet” passing requirement. During the last four years, six states have adopted the 3-foot rule. The 3-foot rule is endorsed by the American Automobile Association and the League of American Bicyclists, the largest national organizations representing these two transportation modes. We now have over 1,400 electronic signatures of Ohio bicyclists supporting this concept. Please go to www.ohiobike.org to add your signature.
2. The Ohio Revised Code in Section 4511.132, already lists situations in which vehicles may proceed through an intersection controlled by a non-functioning traffic signal after stopping and yielding right-of-way. HB 145 adds another situation where “Failure of a vehicle detector to detect the vehicle” results in the light remaining red. This is a situation commonly faced by cyclists, as the bicycle is typically not detected by metal detectors buried in pavement, and the traffic light is not “tripped.”
See HB 145 at http://www.legislature.state.