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3 foot rule now in effect.

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by Silly Yak, Jul 2, 2014.

  1. Silly Yak

    Silly Yak Member

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    As of July 1, drivers have to give cyclists a 3 foot gap when passing. I know many feel that it is the cyclists who fail to follow the rules, and not the drivers. So drivers, prove it by following this one.
     
  2. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    Do I get a ticket if I am only 2' 9" away? ;)

    I understand this, ahem, "law", but really, how will it be enforced?
     
    blunoz and latka like this.
  3. Silly Yak

    Silly Yak Member

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  4. latka

    latka Active Member

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    Can we have a law that says DO NOT STOP on Belmont Ridge at the bike path or you might get someone killed if the guy going the other way follows the law and doesn't stop?
     
  5. Silly Yak

    Silly Yak Member

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    If the cyclist thinks that just because you stopped the other one will as well, then they are an idiot. I will stop there if there is reasonable stopping distance to do so.
     
  6. latka

    latka Active Member

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    Then they deserve to die? It's a mess. It is clear that the bike path has a stop sign and the road does not. It is dangerous to stop there. Just follow the laws and rules of the road. Everyone is safer.
     
  7. PowerPlay

    PowerPlay Member

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    Yep, yep and yep. This really needs to be a bridge or a tunnel.
     
    beachgal likes this.
  8. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    Except this situation happens multiple times as the trail crosses significant roads. This is not the 'one problem'. Look at where the trail crosses Hunters Mill in Reston, etc.

    People just need to play by the rules of the road and not be the CAUSE of accidents.
     
  9. Silly Yak

    Silly Yak Member

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    Man, I really wish they would do this. Belmont Ridge , Sterling Blvd, Sunset, Sunrise, Hunters, the whole of Vienna.

    And lights don't work. Almost got creamed at Catocitin by someone pulling out of the car wash who went right through the red.
     
  10. Silly Yak

    Silly Yak Member

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    Back to the topic. According to a cycling application, Claiborne is a major cycling route in the area. I wonder if the police would be willing to set up along it during heaving cycling times to monitor behaviors of all parties. Some warnings and fines on both sides might go a long way to everyone playing nicer.
     
  11. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    Yak - have there been any real issues other than each side complaining about each other from time-to-time? Not that I check for, but I have not heard of any car/bike accidents along Claiborne or anywhere else in Broadlands.
     
  12. Silly Yak

    Silly Yak Member

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    At this point I have only witnessed violations on both sides.


    Cyclists:
    Running red lights, taking the entire lane, jumping from sidealk to road and back, lane splitting, yelling in windows.

    Drivers:
    Passing too close, cutting off, honking, yelling out windows.

    Shocked that something hasn't happened and thought maybe this would be an opportunity to spotlight it before it becomes tragic.
     
  13. fidothedog

    fidothedog Member

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    What do I get when the cyclists don't give me 3' and fly by me within inches when I am stopped at stop lights or stop signs?
     
    beachgal and SarasMom like this.
  14. svella7

    svella7 New Member

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    It is the law not to stop! I thought I was being courteous to stop (no one was coming the other way) until I was then pulled over by a cop and asked why I stopped. He said that people are distracted with their phones nowadays etc and I could have caused an accident if someone hit me from behind. So my question is when they push the button and the light blinks do we have to stop? Or if I do will I get pulled over again?
     
    eam and latka like this.
  15. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    The cyclists/walkers have the Stop sign, not traffic on Belmont Ridge. DO NOT STOP!
    The wavy lines and blinking lights are intended to make traffic aware that there are people waiting to cross... and hopefully slow down to the posted speed limit and divert the drivers attention back to the road from the phone call or yelling at the kids. ;)
     
  16. Redolant

    Redolant New Member

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    So build multiple bridges and tunnels.
     
  17. Redolant

    Redolant New Member

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    Officer didn't sound to smart - the person on their phone breaking the law would be the cause of the accident - and rear ended is their fault. Its not illegal to be courteous and let someone cross a road - poppycock.
     
  18. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    Actually... Officer was doing his job properly.
    In Virginia, the law is "not to obstruct highway and no stopping on highway so as to impede traffic". The intent is that one does not stop on a road without reasonable cause... Courtesy isn't valid. Would you stop on a 45 mph road "out of courtesy" and let a car go before you? I doubt it, so why do it for a cyclist?
    Also, there is no law in Virginia yet for being on a cell phone while driving, unless you are a teenager.
     
    beachgal, flynnibus and latka like this.
  19. Redolant

    Redolant New Member

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    Its not a highway, its a single lane road. And there is a law about texting whilst driving.

    And id stop on any road to avoid hitting something or someone that didn't/couldn't read a sign. People don't even exercise caution and slow down.
     
  20. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    It is classified as a secondary highway.

    And sure, let's just have people all over the place stopping because they are worried another driver/biker/ walker can't read a sign. PUHLEEEESE!

    ":policelight: Officer, I noticed that driver at the intersection staring intently at the stop sign as if they couldn't read it, so I slammed on my breaks, you know, just in case".
     

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