Safety and Education Committee Report
The 3’ Rule
The 3’ Rule (RSA 265:143-a) has been in effect for two years (01/01/09) and I was asked to write about its effectiveness. There is safety in numbers and this rule encourages bicycle usage; Holland has the safest roads and the highest bicycle usage rate. The 3’ rule addresses many cyclists’ biggest fear (being run down from behind) and concern for personal safety is the primary deterrent for many of those wanting to ride bicycles. The 3’ rule tells people what is expected and makes them feel safer which will encourage them to ride more. If one looks only at convictions and the incidence of related accidents it would appear that this law hasn’t done much good. Changes in technology (texting, etc) have caused a rise in overtaking accidents and to cut costs the Nashua Court (and others?) will not prosecute bicycle related infractions. I haven’t heard of any convictions but if this law eliminated all overtaking accidents its effect on total safety would still be negligible. Less than 10% of all bicycle crashes are the fault of a motorist and less than 1% of these involve overtaking/improper passing (most of which involve unlit cyclists on rural roads). Obviously its effectiveness must be judged by other criteria.
In a free society laws are not absolutes but rather guidelines to encourage the desired action (who obeys the speed limit?). Few non-cyclists are aware of the 3’ rule but most people say it improves safety when they are informed and I’m given more room by overtaking motorists when I wear my (Hi-Viz, 3’ Please) T-shirt. Nobody wants people punished for every little mistake (but they should know they made one). I have “RSA 265:143-a” printed on my helmet and carry “Road Warrior” brochures to hand out when appropriate. On more than one occasion; (different) Driver’s Ed instructors (alone in the vehicle) have come too close when overtaking so a lot more education is obviously needed.
Prior to implementing the 3’ rule; a couple of times a year passing motorists would hit my mirrors and last week was the first time somebody hit one since 01/01/09. Last summer on the Sagamore Bridge ( Hudson) some teens (in the passing lane) swerved onto the shoulder to harass me. The cop sitting on the median saw it and had them pulled over when I went by. Recently some “bad boy” bikers “buzzed” me on Amherst St ( Nashua) and less than a mile down the road three cruisers had pulled them over. Nobody looked very happy and I didn’t stop either time to find out why but I suspect these motorists were being informed about the law. For the very small percentage of motorists that actually “attack” bicyclists; the 3’ rule is one of the tools law enforcement can use to prosecute them. The BWANH is setting up a (statewide) database to identify these people and your help would be appreciated.
Bill Fisk- Safety and Education
REMINDER: BE SEEN!
Make sure to wear at least one item of reflective outerwear apparel, such as a reflective vest, jacket, or helmet strip, during the period from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise.
Safety and Education Coordinator
Archive Safety Articles
Which Foot Down?
Preparing For Rain
Stopping in the Roadway
Encountering Animals
Why I Commute by Bike
Save Time Commuting by Bike
Your Bike and Knee
You Can be Too Far Right
Wrong Way Cyclists
Choosing the Right Tire
Don't Scare the Slow Guy
Using Your Front Brake
How Safe is Bicycling?
How Safe is Your Helmet?
Making Left Turns
Where on the Road Do You Belong?
Rumble strips on the Shoulder
Safer Without Helmet?
Impaired Drivers
Take Your Body to its Limits
HB-1203
Protecting your Bike
Helmet Mounted Headlights
Tire Pressure
My Helmet is White
Does Your Bike Have Lights?
Be Careful Who You Trust
Law Enforcement
See and be Seen
Thanks Ray LaHood
Beware the Silent Car
Problems Grow
Bike Stat
Bikes on Sidewalk
Impaired Drivers - continued
Clothing for Safety
See Behind You