State Senate approves safe passing act

Sets minimum passing distances

Steve Hawley, Apr 21, 09.

The Texas State Senate on Tuesday approved a safe passing act (Senate Bill 488) designed to protect vulnerable road users. (Thanks to Peter Wang for pointing this out in the Citizens’ Transportation Coalition forums!)

The bill would mandate minimum passing distances near vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, stranded motorists, and riders on horseback. Cars would have to pass vulnerable road users with at least three feet of separation, vacating the lane if possible, while large trucks would have to allow at least six feet of separation.

The legislation would also protect vulnerable users’ right-of-way and impose penalties on violators, particularly in the event of an accident resulting in property damage or bodily injury.

The Texas House of Representatives must now approve its version of the bill (House Bill 827), where it was favorably reported out of committee on April 14.