[DVBC] Right Of Way

Tue Jun 6 08:00:21 EDT 2006

I agree with you on the first point, but not the second.  Cyclists do need to move to the right and yield to emergency vehicles.

However, when traveling in a group, cyclists should stick together and behave as a single vehicle (kind of like a funeral procession).  I don't think you should have yielded.  You should have followed the riders in front of you and kept the group together.

Javier

-----Original Message-----
From: dvbc-list-bounces at list.dvbc.org [mailto:dvbc-list-bounces at list.dvbc.org]On Behalf Of Bob Curtiss
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 7:33 AM
To: dvbc-list at dvbc.org
Subject: [DVBC] Right Of Way

While on a group ride recently, I observed two incidents that have motivated me to write this out of concern for the safety of fellow cyclists. Any of you who recognize the incidents described, please be assured that I don't wish to criticize anyone; but only to educate, out of concern for the safety of all involved. 

The first incident occurred as our group of about 15 riders was reaching a side road where we were planning to turn left. This was a "T" intersection where the road we had been riding on continued straight, and the side road lay on our left. 

Just as the first few riders were beginning to slow for the left turn, we suddenly heard the siren of an emergency vehicle behind us. A glance in my rearview mirror revealed that it was an ambulance.

I was the 4th or 5th rider in the group, and I noticed that the first few riders were close to the double yellow line, slowing for the turn, and showing no signs of moving over to the right side of the road -- the action dictated by the sudden appearance of an emergency vehicle with a siren blaring.

I shouted out at the top of my lungs:  "Move to the right!  Move over to the right and stop! Move over to the right side of the road!" Luckily the ambulance passed us without incident.

Why hadn't the other riders responded as quickly as I had to the appearance of the ambulance, by taking the appropriate action? Why were they coming to a stop out in the middle of the road when a siren was blaring behind us? I found it puzzling, and I wondered about this for some time while the ride continued.

According to the State of Delaware:

TITLE 21
Motor Vehicles
PART III
Operation and Equipment
CHAPTER 41. RULES OF THE ROAD
Subchapter IV. Right-of-Way

§ 4134. Operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency vehicles.

(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible or visual signals, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersections and shall relinquish the right-of-way until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.

Later during the same ride I observed a second incident which I found equally disturbing.

Once again our group was approaching an intersection where we planned to turn left. The layout was identical to the first, i.e., a "T" where the road continued straight, and a side road lay on the left. Again, I was 4th or 5th in the group. The first few riders, ahead of me, made the left turn without incident. However, a vehicle was approaching from the opposite direction, and it was signaling a right turn. I saw that it would reach the intersection before I did. The rules of Right Of Way clearly specify that the other vehicle should have the right of way -- meaning of course that I should yield, and the cyclists behind me should also have yielded. I did yield, and the rider behind me yielded. We slowed down, and were prepared to stop, but since we were on a slight incline, we continued to peddle very slowly just to maintain our balance (not wanting to click out of the cleats unless it was necessary), waiting for the approaching vehicle to make the right turn, planning to then proceed and make our left turn, following behind it.

However, inexplicably, a number of cyclists behind us turned left -- right across the path of the approaching vehicle, which had by then already entered the intersection and was forced to stop in order to avoid a collision. This left turn by the cyclists was performed with complete and utter disregard for the Right Of Way rules. I couldn't believe it...  NO WONDER so many motorists get annoyed at cyclists, if this sort of behavior is common!

I had been carefully watching the driver of the approaching vehicle, and at no time did they wave any cyclists ahead. As you know, many motorists do this at intersections -- graciously yielding the right of way to an entire group of cyclists. I always smile and wave my thanks to these friendly and generous motorists.

This was a highly dangerous situation. The driver of the motor vehicle was apparently fairly patient -- they didn't sound their horn or gesticulate that I could see.  How many of us would have been so patient if a motor vehicle had cut us off in a similar fashion? 

If we expect drivers of motor vehicles to Share The Road with cyclists, then cyclists must Share The Road in return. The problem might lie with a general lack of knowledge regarding Right Of Way rules for vehicles. Yes, bicycles are legally considered vehicles, and cyclists are expected to obey the Right Of Way rules.

Here's another quotation from the State Of Delaware:

TITLE 21
Motor Vehicles
PART III
Operation and Equipment
CHAPTER 41. RULES OF THE ROAD
Subchapter IV. Right-of-Way

§ 4132. Vehicle turning left.

The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. (21 Del. C. 1953, § 4132; 54 Del. Laws, c. 160, § 1.)

Note this terminology:  "which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard".  The approaching vehicle does not need to have entered the intersection -- only to be approaching it and be close to it. It's a no-brainer, really: if I am going to turn across the path of an approaching vehicle, and in doing so force the operator of the approaching vehicle to apply the brakes in order to prevent a collision with me, then I am violating the Right Of Way rule.

Here's a link to the source of those quotes, CHAPTER 41. RULES OF THE ROAD, Subchapter IV. Right-of-Way, from the State of Delaware:

http://www.delcode.state.de.us/title21/c041/sc04/index.htm

Please, let's be safe out there!   Don't forget that when cycling you are operating a vehicle. It's your responsibility to operate it safely in a such fashion that other vehicle operators will know what to expect. Your life might depend upon it.

~Bob
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Winners make goals; losers make excuses.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://ccs2.craftech.com/pipermail/dvbc-list/attachments/20060606/8501f7d5/attachment.htm