Tom Jackman brings this to our attention at the Post.
A state legislator from Fairfax, Sen. Chap Petersen (D), has a bill pending to remedy this oversight. For this he was roundly trashed Sunday by Virginian-Pilot columnist Kerry Dougherty
The bill reads, in part
No person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the side adjacent to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so. Nor shall the person keep the vehicle door open for longer than is reasonably necessary to load or unload passengers.
A VIOLATION of this section shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $100..."
Dougherty goes after it, without really understanding it.
Meet SB736, brought to us by Sen. Chap Petersen of Fairfax, which is dubbed "Opening and closing motor vehicle doors."
What do you suppose Jefferson would have to say about such inanity?
"OMD, you guys invented motor vehicles! In which seat do you rape your slaves?"
Supposing what people who have been dead for almost 200 years would think about legislation probably isn't the best standard, but I suspect that any wise legislator would be for laws that protect citizens from the carelessness of others.
The title alone justifies a "no" vote.
I guess you can judge a book by its cover (or a bill by its title)
Does anyone seriously believe we need this law?
Yes. Perhaps you should talk to some of them.
Does any sane Virginian believe that larding this onto the already bloated state code will do one thing to prevent drivers from unsafely opening their car doors into traffic?
Probably. There's always someone on the margin, right. But if you don't think that passing laws changes behavior then why have laws at all? I would note that 45 other states have a similar law on the books. If it's insane, then most of the country has gone crazy.
How anyone could be opposed to this law is beyond me.
Do we have a collection of half a dozen or more people who were killed or injured by being doored? What was the consequence for the person who opened the door?
If we can collate half a dozen of these stories, it would make the legislation a lot easier to pass
Posted by: SJE | January 15, 2013 at 02:46 PM
"I've read through much of what passes for important legislative initiatives on this session's docket and may have stumbled on the one bill that epitomizes all that's wrong with Richmond."
#whatisthisIdonteven
THIS is the epitome of bad legislation? I don't think "wrong" means what you think it means, lady, and I seriously doubt you've read ANY of the pending legislation if this is the example you're going to go with.
Posted by: MM | January 15, 2013 at 02:56 PM
"OMD, you guys invented motor vehicles! In which seat do you rape your slaves?"
A+
Posted by: Dave | January 15, 2013 at 03:05 PM
"OMD?"
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark?
Posted by: me | January 15, 2013 at 04:12 PM
I do think laws are not a sufficient condition and barely a necessary one to create a culture of safety.
I mean, how many people in Maryland and DC are actually consciously aware of dooring laws and alter their behavior accordingly?
(vice those that alter their behavor because they don't want to be a**holes - in all jurisdictions in the DC Metro area)
Posted by: Kolohe | January 15, 2013 at 04:29 PM
Can't say it often enough. Take the lane. Just take it. It will save you from this kind of stuff.
Of course, then drivers will start honking at you more. But that just means they see you and have to go around you.
Posted by: Crikey7 | January 15, 2013 at 04:44 PM
"OMD?"
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark?
Oh My Deity!
Jefferson was a Deist.
Posted by: contrarian | January 15, 2013 at 05:56 PM
David, did you happen to read some of the article comments? Like how the "spandex mafia" is at it again?
Posted by: Froggie | January 15, 2013 at 06:02 PM
Yep, the "spandex mafia": coz name calling is best when the actual facts are against you.
Posted by: SJE | January 15, 2013 at 07:38 PM
Kolohe: it's all about who pays. No it won't change behavior, but at least the a-hole has to cover the medical expenses.
Posted by: Mike | January 16, 2013 at 07:18 AM
" I would note that 45 other states have a similar law on the books."
Can you list out the five states besides Virginia without a dooring law. I surveyed American dooring laws and can't find it on the books for ten states. Besides Virginia, they are Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, so if anybody knows different for those states I'd love to hear about it.
Posted by: Richard Masoner | January 16, 2013 at 05:15 PM