http://union-bulletin.com/news/2013/apr/10/solons-consider-tougher-dui-laws/

It was her death which helped lead to the Washington Safe Passing Law in 2005, which states that a driver approaching a pedestrian or bicycle on the right must pass at “a safe distance to clearly avoid coming into contact with the pedestrian or bicyclist.” The original legislation provided needed clarification and education on safe passing for Washington’s roads.

Motorists often don’t realize that passing a bicyclist too closely leaves no margin for error, especially at highway speeds. The three foot minimum gives a specific, easily understood minimum distance, not a vague “safe distance.” The 3-foot minimum not only gives drivers a safe distance standard, but raises their awareness to keep an eye out for bicyclists and pedestrians. All too often drivers are not looking for bicyclists and don’t notice them. Once drivers see bicyclists, the drivers can keep that safe 3-foot distance while passing. At least 22 states already have laws with three feet as the minimum safe distance for motorists to pass bicyclists and pedestrians.

I see the purpose of  safe passing legislation as increasing awareness on the part of motorists to look for cyclists and pedestrians before they pass. The proposed 3 foot distance would result in fewer deaths and injuries as drivers will have a concrete guideline. This proposed change is all about prevention: there is no such thing as a “fender bender” between a car and a cyclist. This clarification of the law is needed to prevent needless tragedies.

Safe passing on Washington’s rural roads helps educate drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians what to expect on Washington’s rural roads – important as kids often walk on these roads to school. Similarly, as we continue to want to draw more tourism to towns across Washington, this is a valuable educational tool for safety to make sure that tourists and drivers have mutual expectations.

Recently, the Walla Walla Union Bulletin addressed the issue of bicycles and vehicles sharing the road.  I appreciated the chance to be interviewed.  The link to the full article is here: http://union-bulletin.com/news/2013/apr/01/road-wars/

At our firm we often represent people who have the unfortunate circumstance of being left with a permanently disabling condition such as a traumatic brain injury. For those clients who are Medicare beneficiaries, this settlement represents hope for the future.

Read this new article from the New York Times for more information: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/27/your-money/health-insurance/medicare-expected-to-pay-more-costs-of-chronic-conditions.html?ref=your-money-email&nl=your-money&emc=edit_my_20121029&_r=0

The cost of adding Underinsured Motorist coverage to your automobile policy is minimal. And why wouldn’t you want to protect yourself the same way you protect other people if you make a mistake?

For more, be sure to read the full article http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/25/your-money/auto-insurance/how-to-know-if-you-have-enough-auto-insurance.html?_r=1&ref=your-money-email&nl=your-money&emc=edit_my_20120827

Here’s a simple example. Calculations are from:  http://www.csgnetwork.com/stopdistinfo.html

Suppose a person is driving a car at 60 mph (88 feet/sec) during the day on a dry, level road. He sees an obstacle, such as a pedestrian or a car pulling out in front of him, and applies the brakes. What is the shortest stopping distance that can reasonably be expected? Total stopping distance consists of two components:

Reaction Distance. Reaction time can vary widely, depending on how much attention the person is paying, the distractions in the vehicle (including talking on cell phones or texting while driving), their age, and weather conditions. Generally, minimum reaction time is cited as 1.5 to 2 seconds under ideal conditions.

Brake Engagement Distance. Most reaction time studies consider the response completed at the moment the foot touches the brake pedal. However, brakes do not engage instantaneously. There is an additional time required for the pedal to depress and for the brakes to engage. This is variable and difficult to summarize in a single number because it depends on urgency and braking style. In an emergency, a reasonable estimate is .3 second, adding another 24.2 feet to your stopping distance.

Therefore, if you’re going 186 mph, like the motorcyclist in this video: http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/25/justice/canada-motorcyclist-arrest/index.html?hpt=hp_t1, your distance from noticing danger to reacting is 493 feet. Your stopping distance is more than a mile: 7,238 feet. The motorcyclist in this video deserves the 5 years of potential prison time for heedlessly endangering others.

If you’re doing a more normal 60 miles per hour, your stopping distance is 304 feet once you press the brake pedal. It pays to leave space between you and other vehicles.

Here’s a video I did about my experience at the request of the eye bank, SightLife.org: http://www.sightlife.org/family/recipient/stories/toewsDebra.php

SightLife is a wonderful organization, which not only provides corneas to people who need them here in the Northwest, but is involved in setting up eye banks around the world. Organ donation can also help a grieving family know that their loved one’s passing is not without meaning. Next time you renew your driver’s license, consider becoming an organ donor if you’re not one already.

Gratefully,

Debi Toews

Click Here to Read the News Story

See this editorial in the Seattle times:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.