Subject: RE: Georgia House Bill 180 - 3 Fott Safe Passing Bill InsainoDwayno - 2011-03-13 10:03 AM The best laws don't mean jack if the public doesn't know about them and observe them. It only helps when something actually does happen, then you might have an easier time with the insurance companies. I agree, but this is significant. From a legal perspective, you have two issues anytime something happens like a car collision - liability and damages. When one party is issued a citation and violation of a statute, this helps establish liability. If that party pays the fine, that constitutes an admission of liablility for which it is very difficult for that party or their insurance company to claim the collision was not their fault. In my experience, citations are not often issued in incidences involving automobiles and bikes. If this law is passed, that may very well change. If nothing else, it will help further etablish liability when a bike is clipped by a passing car. The general public is unaware of most traffic laws. However, ignorance is not a legal excuse. While this law may have no impact on the number of automobile-bike incidences, particularly in the short-term, it will help when such incidences occur. |