HB784/Motorist to exercise Due Care not to collide w/pedestrians or cyclists, which had been recommended to be Passed by Indefinitely (PBI’d) by House Trans Sub Comm 2 yesterday morning by a 4-3 vote, was RECONSIDERED this morning in the House Trans Comm, as Del. Lopez’ request to do so was granted by Chairman Joe May.
Despite Del. Lopez’ hard work in attempting to line up enough votes to get the bill reported, the bill was PBI’d this morning by what appeared to be a 10-8 vote, with perhaps two votes who might have been favorable out of the room.
Due to his work, which I would consider to be above and beyond the normal call of duty, the vote was very close, and as soon as the official tally is posted, will give us a chance to see exactly who voted which way, and who was out of the room, so it was not entirely wasted effort.
Thanks to everyone who responded to the very short notice request to contact the committee members, to Transportation Chair Joe May for granting the request for reconsideration (which doesn’t happen very often), to Sheryl Finucane, who came in prepared to testify if needed, and particularly to Del. Lopez for giving it his best shot on the very first bill he patroned as a legislator. As Sen. Barker was complimented yesterday by an opponent in the Senate Trans. Comm., I would give Del. Lopez the same compliment of calling him “tenacious”, and look forward to working with him in the future.
With Del. John Cox, 698-1055, as Chair of House Trans Sub Comm 2, and Del. Garrett (698-1023) of Lynchburg appearing to be the vice chair of the 5 R & 2 D sub-committee, through which all bills pertaining to bike & ped matters must pass, its obvious that we have a tough row to hoe, as both Cox & Garrett appear to be solidly and steadfastly opposed to any measures that would help cyclists or pedestrians. It certainly won’t hurt if constituents from Hanover county and Lynchburg let them know their disappointment at their continued opposition to what appear to be common sense bills, which shouldn’t be all that controversial.
This Due Care statement is one that has been part of the Uniform Vehicle Code for some time, and has been adopted into their codes by 47 states, leaving only VA, Mass, Wisconsin, Michigan, & S. Dakota without it, so we are not exactly trying to do anything revolutionary and earthshaking here, so I would wonder why anyone would oppose it.
Bud Vye, RABA & VBF Advocacy Director
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