HB1048: Motor vehicles; increases passing distance when approaching bicycles, etc.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1048
Offered January 13, 2010
Prefiled January 13, 2010
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-816, 46.2-838, and 46.2-839 of the Code of Virginia, relating to following too closely and passing other vehicles.
Patron-- Kory

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That §§ 46.2-816, 46.2-838, and 46.2-839 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 46.2-816. Following too closely.

The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard to the speed of both vehicles and the traffic on, and conditions of, the highway at the time.

§ 46.2-838. Passing when overtaking a motor vehicle.

The driver of any motor vehicle overtaking another motor vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at least two feet to the left of the overtaken vehicle and shall not again drive to the right side of the highway until safely clear of such overtaken vehicle, except as otherwise provided in this article.

§ 46.2-839. Passing bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle.

Any driver of any vehicle overtaking a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at a reasonable speed at least two three feet to the left of the overtaken bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle and shall not again proceed to the right side of the highway until safely clear of such overtaken bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle.