Vision Zero Regulations updated, still opposed by AAA

From a WaPo story

Several of the penalties relate to drivers interacting with pedestrians and bicyclists. The fine for hitting a cyclist would double to $150; failing to yield to a pedestrian while turning right on red would double to $100; and the fine for parking in a bike lane would increase to $150 from $65. The fine for swinging open a parked car door into the path of a cyclist or pedestrian would double to $50.

It also adds new fines and rules for cyclists

The proposal also addresses complaints from motorists that cyclists and pedestrians also should face consequences for traffic infractions. Among the new penalties for bicyclists:  a $150 fine for cyclists who collide with a pedestrian crossing the roadway with the right-of-way, and a $100 fine for colliding with a pedestrian while riding a bicycle on a sidewalk. Riding with headphones or earbuds on both ears would cost $50.

Cyclists caught carrying objects, including handheld communication devices, which prevent them from keeping one hand on the handle bars will face a $50 fine, up from $25.  Those caught speeding would face a $50 fine, up from $25.

DDOT will decide whether to approve the current proposal after a public comment period that ends March 6.  If more changes are needed, the draft could be revised again. Once the plan is approved, officials say they will announce when the new fines will go into effect.

Comments

[richardb]

Not like MPD will ever enforce those fines against bicyclists trying to run over pedestrians in the crosswalk.

[Joe F]

Ah, the trolling comment, mostly fault with a little bit of truth.

False statement you made: Cyclists are trying to run over peds in the cross walk.

They are actually not trying to hit the peds, just ignoring the rules because they are inconvenient and not enforced. Same reason drivers and peds ignore the rules.

The truth - MPD does not inforce the laws on all cyclists entering the cross walk when they should not.

Full truth - MPD does not inforce the laws on all peds or drivers cyclists.

[Joe F]

Regarding the actual article, the fine increases look good. AAA's usual complaint that it's just about revenue is worthless. It's sad that they do so little to support safer roads, especially when the majority of road deaths are auto only, no peds or cyclists involved.

Fines are an incentive for people to follow the rules. If people followed the rules in the first place then there would be no need for fines and that includes cyclists and peds.

[drumz]

I'd be okay with replacing fines with something but curiously the people who yell about revenue never think of that.

I'd be interested in a pilot that gave people a choice between a fine and some other punishment and then if people would rather just pay a fine than do community service (for example) then it'd go a long way to assuaging concerns over "revenue".

[richardb]

@Joe F

Negligence of the public safety isn't excused just because cyclists are too lazy to use their brakes and unclip. They are actively trying to put pedestrians safety in jeopardy because god forbid they might have to put their foot on the dirty ground.

[ACyclistInThePortCIty]

RichardB

In my City, Alexandria, four pedestrians were killed last year. All due to driver fault, IIRC. Do you think all those drivers were actively trying to kill? Do you want them prosecuted for murder?

[richardb]

@ACyclistInThePortCIty

Yes they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. None of this oh I was driving a car, its ok to harm others.

And bicyclists that cause harm to others and take pedestrians safety into their own hands due to their laziness should be punished as well.

[dan dennett]

can richardb please point us to the scientific basis of human behavior that necessarily supports his assertions of responsible, or irresponsible action? just citing a few books or articles would be fine...

[ACyclistInThePortCIty]

"Yes they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. "

The law in Va, as in DC, distinguishes intent from negligence. The law would need to be changed to match your assertions.

[Roo_Beav]

I think it's cute that some people think all cyclists use clips.

I sold my soul to the devil to become a cyclist and I didn't get clips nor a single piece of spandex not to mention one of those crazy looking teardrop helmets? It makes me really question my life choices.

[Joe F]

Richardb

Again you only attack only cyclists. Drivers also illegally roll through stop signs and stop lights and peds cross against the light.

Drivers and peds also hold responsibility regarding public safety, not just cyclists.

[fongfong]

Don't take the bait. Richardb is like the person running in the bike lane. They know it's wrong and they know someone will call them out, yet they do it because they like the argument.

In a different world, AAA would be coming out and endorsing much stricter road designs that would help eliminate the potential for car/car, car/ped, car/cyclist and cyclist/ped interactions. Sadly, because this type of road design would mitigate death and injury while slowing down cars, this will never happen.

See the USA in your Chevrolet, unimpeded.

[washcycle]

MPD will ever enforce those fines against bicyclists trying to run over pedestrians in the crosswalk

Trying to run over pedestrians isn't illegal.

Also, if you're trying to run over pedestrians and failing, maybe you need a confident city cycling class or to stop riding. You lack enough skill to be on the road, in my opinion.

Finally, you might want to switch to a car, you can take out more peds at once, and there is less risk of injury to you when you do hit them.

[Crickey7]

I am proud of not unclipping. You get extra style points for executing a proper trackstand.

[washcycle]

I'd be interested in a pilot that gave people a choice between a fine and some other punishment and then if people would rather just pay a fine than do community service (for example) then it'd go a long way to assuaging concerns over "revenue".

The new bike and ped safety bill requires DC DMV to study and report on a diversion program that allows violators to take a class instead of pay a fine.

[drumz]

1. Neat about the diversion program. I'd just like to get some sort of response when people go on and on about revenue while saying they care about safety.

2. I always found the analogy of unclipping/putting your foot down akin to putting the car into park rather than just braking.

3. Being able to weave among pedestrians is one of the advantages of riding a bike and not a risk that must be compensated for. I've walked down the street with others who don't regularly bike and they've gotten more tense when a cyclist rides around them than I do and I wonder how much perception plays into it.

But considering all the cyclists who are able to seamlessly navigate among the hordes of pedestrians in front of the white house or waiting in the median of Pennsylvania avenue I think its obvious that there is no cyclist war on pedestrians.

[Riley]

Motorist flagrantly disobeys traffic laws, kills cyclist, pedestrians or other car occupants and walks away with a bruise and bloody nose from the airbag.
Cyclist flagrantly disobeys traffic laws and is killed or maimed
Pedestrian flagrantly disobeys traffic laws and is killed or maimed.
I think we have that incentivization thing in hand here.

[Mike]

And remember to encourage friends and family to dump AAA. They may already be paying for roadside assistance with their car insurance and not realize that AAA is redundant, or be unaware that there are other options. They also probably don't know they're funding anti-pedestrian and anti-cyclist lobbying. Note that it's hard to cancel AAA, the only thing you can do is stop automatic payments--and then they'll keep calling to ask if you forgot to pay.

[twk]

Over ten years AAA free in my household. AAA just renewed my reasons to dump them. They do this every year like clock work.

[DE]

Better World Club is a good alternative to AAA if you feel the need for a roadside assistance package and don't have anything through your automobile manufacturer.

[Crickey7]

It's not really good policy to enact laws that you can pretty much expect not to be enforced. The police aren't really going to be assessing fault for collisions on sidewalks that they didn't witness, and frankly even ones they did.

[ACyclistInThePortCIty]

"It's not really good policy to enact laws that you can pretty much expect not to be enforced."

Who are you, and what have you done with the real Crickey?

[Crickey7]

The Idaho Stop is what caused the Bowling Green Massacre.

[DE]

Alternative Crickey

[Nancy]

I would love to get a speeding ticket on my bike! Not so fond of the fines for cyclists "carrying objects," though I only go hands free occasionally, and never when I'm carrying anything. I think that's a crazy law. Like a law against juggling while walking in the CBD. There are way too many drivers already breaking the no-hand-held-phone-use while driving. Easy for them to get away with it because they are harder to see.