B.C. sets minimum distance for drivers passing vulnerable road users

Drivers in British Columbia now have to meet minimum distances between their vehicle and people walking or riding on the road. 

The new rules, which came into effect Monday, require drivers to stay at least a metre away from vulnerable road users if the speed limit is up to 50 km/h, and 1.5 metres at speeds over that. 

A statement from the Ministry of Transportation says vulnerable road users include pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, people on horses or in vehicles pulled by animals and those who use electric wheelchairs and scooters. 

The statement says the measurements start from the furthest part of the vehicle, likely the mirror, to the furthest part of the road user or their equipment, such as a handlebar. 

The ministry says police can issue tickets for violations under the new Motor Vehicle Act regulations. 

Fines range from $109 and three penalty points, up to $2,000 and six months in jail for those who fail to maintain the minimum passing distances. 

'A bit of a missed opportunity'

A road safety group is calling the new rules a step in the right direction, but says B.C. could still do more to improve traffic safety.

"It feels like a bit of a missed opportunity," said Chengyan Boon, a volunteer with Vision Zero Vancouver.

Boon said it's not effective enough to trust that drivers will follow these new rules, and said the provincial government should be making changes to the infrastructure.

"If you imagine a protected bike lane — concrete infrastructure which will give, you know, 1.5 or more metres of passing distance — 100 per cent of drivers, essentially, would be doing that if we design our streets that way," he said. 

Boon also suggests changing speed limit laws to improve safety.

The default speed limit within a municipality is 50 km/h, unless there are signs stating another speed, according to the Motor Vehicle Act. Boon said Vision Zero Vancouver would like to see municipalities allowed to make their own default speeds, without requiring signs at every intersection to create slower zones.