Florida Statute Trivia Question…

/8 Comments/in /by

vehicles

In Florida there is one type of vehicle which may not pass within the same lane as a bicycle. Do you know which vehicle must change lanes to pass?

8 replies
  3. fred_dot_u
    fred_dot_u says:

    As enamored as I am with Florida Statutes, I could not let this one slip past. Ya’ gotta love Google:

    316.209 Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic (2) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken. (3) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.

  4. Keri
    Keri says:

    That’s right! Rantwick’s irony hunch was correct. Motorcycles are required to change lanes to pass other vehicles. Bicycles are vehicles.

    Here’s the other part of the statute, the part I would like to have applied to bicycles as well:

    316.209 Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic.

    (1) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane.

  5. Mighk
    Mighk says:

    Conversely, nothing prohibits a bicyclist from passing a motorist within the same lane. Passing on the left is clearly permitted; passing on the right seems pretty viable too (assuming the cyclist is keeping right hooks and opposing lefts in mind, and not making motorists pass a second time):

    316.084 When overtaking on the right is permitted.–

    (1) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass on the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:

    (a) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn;

    (b) Upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving traffic in each direction;

    (c) Upon a one-way street, or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement, where the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles.

    (2) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle on the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the roadway.

  7. eddie
    eddie says:

    isn’t lanesplitting legal in cali? I know it’s common. and in taiwain, where scooters vastly outnumber cars, cars are like rocks in a stream of scooters. probably one reason scooters are so popular there. but each traffic culture and dna express themselves so differently. lanesplitting would seem dangerous here.

Comments are closed.