​Drivers, keep away from pedestrians on roads!

Riley Rivey attending a local Bike Night at Alwin Holland Elementary School on May 30.

A new minimum distance must be kept between drivers and people riding or walking on roadways in British Columbia as of Monday, June 3.

The new rules which require drivers to keep at least one meter away while passing, will help protect vulnerable road users which include pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and individuals on animals or in vehicles pulled by animals. Individuals who use electric wheelchairs, mobility scooters and electric kick scooters are also considered vulnerable road users.

Drivers must keep a minimum distance of one meter on highways with speeds of 50 km/h or less, and one and a half meters away on highways with speeds of 51 km/h or more when passing vulnerable road users. A minimum of half a meter must be kept by drivers when passing road users in separate and protected cycling lanes.

These distances are measured from the furthest protruding part of a vulnerable road user or their equipment such as a handlebar, to the furthest protruding part of a passing motor vehicle.

Tickets may be issued by police for violations under the new Motor Vehicle Act regulations with penalties including:

·         Three driver penalty points and a $109 fine for failing to take proper precautions with the vulnerable road users.

·         Three driver penalty points and a $368 fine for failing to maintain prescribed minimum passing distances.

·         The maximum fine for a violation is a $2000 fine and six months of imprisonment.

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