City of Roanoke launches a safety campaign as Virginia introduces a new traffic law for cyclist safety
Roanoke, Virginia – In response to growing safety concerns, a fresh legislative decree has been issued that Virginia motorists must now take into account.
The law requires a shift in lanes when a cyclist is observed, a change from the previous regulation which only required a 3-foot distance between an automobile and a bicyclist. This development has been triggered by a significant uptick in traffic mishaps dating back to 2008, mandating drivers to veer into the left lane. However, circumstances may not always permit such movement due to heavy traffic in both lanes, or on a 2-lane road or highway where changing lanes is infeasible.
Dwayne D’Ardenne, the Transportation Division Manager for the City of Roanoke, affirmed the escalating concern. He stated, “The City of Roanoke has seen an increase in crashes involving bicyclists since 2008, and we want to take steps to address the issue. We can all work together to make our streets safer.”
The roads in Roanoke are structurally deficient in terms of accommodating the 3-foot space between a vehicle and a cyclist within the same lane, making them inherently dangerous. Anecdotal evidence suggests there have been numerous near-miss incidents involving vehicles and bicycles, a scenario compounded when the trailing vehicle is too close. The City of Roanoke, reflecting the state, has observed a surge in such unfortunate incidents and anticipates that this new legislative measure will usher in a significant shift in the pattern.
An increasingly large number of people are resorting to bicycles for their daily commuting needs, and not merely for recreational purposes. Recognizing this transition in commuting preference, Roanoke is introducing a safety awareness campaign. The objective of this campaign is to increase driver awareness of the new law and to encourage them to exercise due caution while encountering a cyclist on the road. It is hoped that such measures will contribute to making the streets of Virginia safer for everyone.
