Florida passes 3 ft passing law

Florida has passed a law requiring motorists to pass bicyclists at a safe distance, minimum 3 feet:

HB 7079 was signed by Florida Governor Bush on June 22nd, 2006. Effective 1 October, the following requirement will be incorporated in Section 316.083, Florida Statutes:

The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle must pass the bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle at a safe distance of not less than 3 feet between the vehicle and the bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle.

As the result of a campaign organized by the Missouri Bicycle Federation, Missouri passed a similar law in 2005. However, the Missouri law only requires that motorists pass at a "safe distance".

Our suggestion for a definite standard of 3 feet was defeated because of the opposition of the insurance industry.