Page 48 - LIN.FEBWEBSITE

Under the law MOTORISTS

AND OLDEST SIBLINGS

have a lot in common

by Beth Brainard
Executive Director of NPC
A review of the Florida Statutes governing how motorists interact with

pedestrians and bicyclists has an overarching theme – cars and trucks
are the biggest vehicles on the road and are responsible for watching
out for the smaller vehicles and pedestrians.
If you are a motorist, it’s as if you are the oldest sibling and your
parents expect you to watch out for your younger siblings (bicyclists,
pedestrians) because you are the biggest. You may not like the
arrangement, but it makes a certain amount of sense.
Let’s begin with speed. The law states that motorists must control their
speed to avoid colliding with any other vehicle, person, or object in the
road. Another statute says, “drivers shall exercise care to avoid colliding
with any pedestrian or person on a human powered vehicle.” That means
that motorists have a legal obligation to slow down according to the
circumstances and make a concerted effort not to crash into bicyclists and
pedestrians. A motorist cannot enter an intersection or crosswalk
The “3’ to Pass” signs around Naples are not perpetuating a myth. unless there is enough room on the other side of the
Statute 316.083 states that a driver must pass a bicycle at a distance of not intersection or crosswalk for the vehicle to stop. In
less than three feet. other words, as you inch along 5th Avenue it is against
Traffic signal lights have an interesting and rarely observed set of laws. the law to block the crosswalk or the intersection. It
On a green light vehicles must yield the right-of-way to other vehicles or creates a horribly dangerous situation for pedestrians
pedestrians who are lawfully in an intersection or crosswalk. That means trying to weave their way across the street on a legal
that even if you have the green light you have to stop and allow others to go. walk sign.
A steady yellow light indicates “there is insufficient time for vehicles and It’s a new year. We urge all Naples residents –
pedestrians to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown.” Holy motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians – to obey the traffic laws,
traffic ticket, Batman! I thought a yellow light means go faster! to use common sense, and to show mutual respect.
On a red light vehicles must come to a stop before entering a
crosswalk. AFTER stopping, a vehicle with a permitted right turn must Note to readers: You can find the Complete Florida Statues
yield to pedestrians crossing as directed by the signal. This is a particular pertaining to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians on the
problem at the corner of Goodlette-Frank Rd. and Fifth Avenue where Naples Pathways Coalition website at www.naplespathways.
tourists try to go back and forth between hotels, Tin City, and downtown. org/helpful-links.
Cars entering a roadway from a driveway, alley, parking lot and so on
must stop before they cross the sidewalk or walking area; they must yield
to bicycles, or wheelchairs, or pedestrians who are crossing the sidewalk in Beth Brainard is the Executive Director of Naples
front of the car or who are in close enough proximity on the sidewalk to Pathways Coalition (NPC), a non-profit organization
“constitute an immediate hazard.” that works to create safe, bikeable, walkable communities in
Lastly, there is a law for motorists that relates to a traffic jam that Collier County. For more information or to join, visit the
affects all vehicles and pedestrians in an intersection – think of the NPC web site at www.naplespathways.org or contact Beth
intersections on 5th Avenue South between 10th Street and 8th Street. directly at bethbrainard@naplespathways.org.

48 Life in Naples | February 2017