Three Feet for Bicycle Safety Law
This law which took effect
September 16, 2014, requires motorists to give at least 3 feet of clearance when passing a bike from behind. The law is designed to make safe passing a lot less confusing since previous law simply required a driver to keep a "safe distance" from a bicyclist. State law doesn't guarantee drivers a right to pass whenever or wherever they want. Drivers may only pass another vehicle or a bicycle when it's safe to do so.
What about passing on narrow roads?
Drivers will now be required to slow down to a safe and reasonable speed and wait to pass only when it is safe to do so. The driver either has to pass when the 3 feet is available or they have to be prepared to demonstrate that 3 feet were not available and that a slower, closer pass was done according to the law. This is a higher burden of proof for drivers than under previous law.
If you have any questions, you may find many of your answers at
this advocacy site.