O.C.G.A.

O.C.G.A. § 40-6-56 (2019)

Safe passing distance when overtaking a bicyclist

✓ O.C.G.A. — 2019 edition (Public.Resource.Org Release 73)
Code text and O.C.G.A. statutory annotations on this page reflect the 2019 Official Code of Georgia Annotated (Public.Resource.Org Release 73, 2019-08-21; public domain per Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). The Syfert case-law annotations in Notes of Decisions, below, are current.
Find cases: SyfertCases citing this section GA-LEGlegis.ga.gov (official) JustiaJustia CornellLII Search CasesGoogle Scholar

(a) As used in this Code section, the term ‘‘safe distance’’ means not less than three feet. (b) Notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary, when feasible, the operator of a motor vehicle, when overtaking and passing a bicycle that is proceeding in the same direction on the roadway, shall leave a safe distance between such vehicle and the bicycle and shall maintain such clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle.

History

(Code 1981, § 40-6-56, enacted by Ga. L. 2011, p. 426, § 2/HB 101.)

Annotations

JUDICIAL DECISIONS Cited in Rigdon v. Williams, 132 Ga. App. 176, 207 S.E.2d 591 (1974). RESEARCH REFERENCES ALR. - Driving automobile across track in front of streetcar that has stopped to take on or let off passengers as negligence or contributory negligence, 14 A.L.R. 811. Duty and liability to persons struck by automobile while crossing street at unusual place, or diagonally, 14 A.L.R. 1176; 67 A.L.R. 313. Applicability of motor vehicle regulations to public officials or employees, 19 A.L.R. 459; 23 A.L.R. 418. Right of way at street or highway inter-

sections as dependent upon, or independent of, care or negligence, 89 A.L.R. 838; 136 A.L.R. 1497. Right of way as between vehicles as affected by relative distances or time of reaching intersection, 175 A.L.R. 1013. Rights, duties, and liability with respect to narrow bridge or passage as between motor vehicles approaching from opposite directions, 47 A.L.R.2d 142. Custom or practice of drivers of motor vehicles as affecting question of negligence, 77 A.L.R.2d 1327.