Drivers failing to keep 1m from cyclists three months after new road safety law

POLICE received more than 50 complaints against drivers accused of ignoring the new one-metre rule in the first three months of the law designed to keep cyclists safe in traffic.

Cycling Laws

• Cyclists need at least 1m gap when on roads and can ride on paths

POLICE received more than 50 complaints against drivers accused of ignoring the new one-metre rule in the first three months of the law designed to keep cyclists safe in traffic.

Only ten cautions have been issued to drivers in that period, which police said they would use as an education phase.

Since the legislation came into effect on October 25, five drivers were issued cautions for being less than 1m from a cyclist in 60km/h zones and another five were less than 1.5m from a cyclist in over-60km/h zones.

Through the Traffic Watch system, police received 56 complaints against motorists for failing to keep a safe distance from bikes.

As the education phase came to an end, police urged road users to obey the new bike safety laws, which if violated can result in an on-the-spot fine of $287, plus a $60 victims of crime levy and two demerit points.

The changes also now permit cyclists of all ages to ride on footpaths, unless there is a sign prohibiting it.

Cyclists must give way to any pedestrian and warn others to avert danger.

Superintendent Anthony Fioravanti, the officer in charge of the police Traffic Support Branch, said he considered the number of complaints and cautions to be low.

“It would indicate that most motorists are abiding by the law and safely sharing the road with all road users,” he said.

A Bike SA survey of more than 1300 cyclists two weeks after the introduction of the new laws found 55 per cent said motorists were respecting the rule to pass riders by at least 1m distance on streets with speed zones of 60km/h or less, with a lower adherence in over 60km/h speed zones.