Move over or go to jail!
Not the bicycle… the driver of the truck!
The South Dakota Department of Transportation wants to force drivers into the lane of oncoming traffic, to accommodate bicycle riders. The SD House transportation committee unanimously agrees. So what’s wrong with this picture?
South Dakota has many scenic, winding roads with rolling hills.
Please picture a bicycle on the road above, and the hazard created when motorists are required to move over six feet into oncoming traffic. Frankly, bicycles should not even be allowed on roads like this. They create a hazard for themselves and others.
Many South Dakota roads simply do not have room for bicycles. Still, the DOT (and some Legislators) think things will get better (and safer) when motorized vehicles are required to move over six feet into oncoming traffic. They are so sure this is a good idea that they attach a penalty of up to 30 days in jail and $500.00 fine for drivers who don’t comply.
This is a BAD idea. A VERY bad idea. Ask drivers on South Dakota’s Lower Spring Creek Road. They will tell you that sightseeing bicyclists already create an extreme hazard. They will also tell you this proposed law would make matters exponentially worse.
A BETTER SOLUTION would be to prohibit bicycle traffic on roads that do not meet specifications that allow safe travel for BOTH motor vehicles and bicycles.
If you agree, you should email ALL South Dakota Legislators and tell them this is a VERY BAD idea.
Link to email addresses for all SD Legislators
|
State of South Dakota
|
|
NINETIETH SESSION
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, 2015 |
| 400W0243 | HOUSE TRANSPORTATION ENGROSSED NO. HB 1030 – 02/10/2015 |
|
Introduced by: The Committee on Transportation at the request of the Department of Transportation
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
Section 1. That chapter 32-26 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:
Section 2. That § 32-20B-6 be amended to read as follows:
32-20B-6. A person operating a bicycle shall give a continuous signal of intention to turn right or left during the last one hundred feet traveled by the bicycle before turning. The signal shall also be given while the bicycle is stopped waiting to turn. A signal by hand and arm need only be given intermittently if the hand is needed in the control operation of the bicycle. No driver of a bicycle may overtake another vehicle on the right if the overtaken vehicle is signaling to make a right turn. Except as provided in this section, a person operating a bicycle shall comply with the provisions of §§ 32-26-22 and 32-26-22.1. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Please call or email South Dakota Legislators and tell them this is a BAD idea!
***Gordon Howie is an author and CEO of Life and Liberty Media***
“It’s not about right or left, it’s about Right or Wrong.”
You can help:
- pitch in a few bucks… hit the “Donate” button on this page
- “friend” me on facebook for daily updates
- SHARE the articles on this site with your network
- PRAY for our State and Nation (please pray for me too, if you can)
17 comments for “Move Over Stupid”