New law requires California drivers give bicyclists 3-foot buffer (w/video)

A new state law concerning how much buffer space motorists must give cyclists when passing went into effect Tuesday.

The “Three Feet for Safety” law states that drivers must allow at least three feet of space between their vehicle and a bicyclist when passing, CHP officials said in a news release.

When that’s not possible, drivers must slow to a speed that “is reasonable and prudent” and pass only when doing so will not endanger the cyclist.

Drivers who are caught violating the law but don’t cause an injury will be fined $35, which becomes $233 with court and administrative fees added on, according to the California Bicycle Coalition. A violation that leads to an injury will garner a base fine of $220, which becomes $959 with fees, the coalition said.

You can reach Staff Writer Jamie Hansen at 521-5205 or jamie.hansen@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @jamiehansen.