Driver of motor vehicle following too closely; includes non-motor vehicles. (HB82)

Introduced By

Del. Barbara Comstock (R-McLean) with support from co-patron Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Following too closely. Includes non-motor vehicles (bicycles, electric assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds) among vehicles that the driver of any other vehicle shall not follow more closely than is reasonable. Read the Bill »

Status

02/26/2014: Failed to Pass in Committee

History

DateAction
12/10/2013Committee
12/10/2013Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/08/14 14101630D
12/10/2013Referred to Committee on Transportation
01/10/2014Assigned Transportation sub: Subcommittee #2
01/20/2014Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (5-Y 1-N)
01/21/2014Impact statement from DPB (HB82)
01/21/2014Reported from Transportation with amendment (21-Y 1-N) (see vote tally)
01/22/2014Read first time
01/23/2014Passed by until Monday, January 27, 2014
01/23/2014Impact statement from DPB (HB82)
01/27/2014Read second time
01/27/2014Committee amendment agreed to
01/27/2014Engrossed by House as amended HB82E
01/27/2014Printed as engrossed 14101630D-E
01/28/2014Read third time and passed House (68-Y 28-N 1-A)
01/28/2014VOTE: PASSAGE (68-Y 28-N 1-A) (see vote tally)
01/29/2014Impact statement from DPB (HB82E)
01/29/2014Constitutional reading dispensed
01/29/2014Referred to Committee on Transportation
02/19/2014Passed by indefinitely in Transportation (9-Y 5-N)
02/26/2014Reconsiderd by Transportation
02/26/2014Passed by indefinitely in Transportation with letter (11-Y 4-N)

Video

This bill was discussed on the floor of the General Assembly. Below is all of the video that we have of that discussion, 1 clip in all, totaling 3 minutes.

Comments

Eric Nowacki writes:

HB82 makes sense. Why would it be OK to tailgate someone on the road.

Deb Duncan writes:

I support this bill. It's time to make the roads safer for cyclists.

Andy Williams writes:

I support this bill

Vickie Sandifer writes:

I am not a cyclist and I support this bill. The roads need to be safer for the cyclist.

Andrew Schafer writes:

I support this bill. Most motorists do not adhere to the law when it comes to safe following distances related to speed. Obey the law or pay the penalty.

Jeffrey Walters writes:

I support this bill.

Amy Laughlin writes:

After years of cycling, all need to work together for safety on the roads! Make it law and make it known.

Nimish C writes:

I ride a bike every day, and I've frequently experienced drivers following pretty close behind me. If I needed to stop suddenly, or was taken down by an errant pile of snow or ice, I face serious injury if the driver hasn't left enough space to stop before running me over.

Sue Madeyski writes:

As a 51 year old recreational cyclist, who was "hit and run" by a car almost 2 years ago, I support this bill. I believe the "drivers of Virginia" need to be educated about how dangerous following too closely to a cyclist can be. I feel that unless laws are passed (and drivers are held accountable) there will continue to "senseless accidents" (and fatalities) due to drivers who are "in a hurry" (or not using common sense) when following and/or passing cyclists.

Henry writes:

I am a cyclist and was struck by a vehicle in 2008. Before I went unconscious the last words I remember the driver yelling was "why are you riding a bike!" I support support this bill and hope it can save a few lives.

W. Jacobson writes:

Where I am allowed to be on the road, it is the responsibility of any other user of that road to guard my safety as it is mine to guard his. I find it difficult to reconcile how casually a motorist can regard my safety. A minor collision is a threat to my life - not a "fender bender"!