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Home › Archive for Impeding Traffic

Category: Impeding Traffic

 

[caption id="attachment_2102" align="alignright" width="300"]The most common cause of delay for motorists is other motorists. The most common cause of delay for motorists is other motorists.[/caption]

All road users routinely and legally delay other road users.  “Impeding” is when a driver delays others in a particular way that has been defined by the state to be unlawful. In florida impeding is defined as follows:

Unlawful Speed: 316.183 (5) No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.

This law does NOT apply to human powered vehicles.

Impeding traffic is not, in itself, a violation.  There are many situations in which bicyclists legally delay other traffic. They may do so lawfully if traveling in a narrow lane, passing other vehicles, preparing far a left turn, avoiding any unsafe condition, and other situations.  Other drivers must wait until it is safe and legal to pass in those situations.

Drivers encounter many circumstances in which they are slowed or stopped.  Garbage trucks, mail carriers, stopped vehicles, traffic lights, stop signs among many others.

If a driver can safely pass within the lane or by changing lanes, he is not being impeded.

Reckless Driving?

By Geo Posted on June 28, 2020 Posted in Ask Geo, Impeding Traffic No Comments

Question Kimberly asked:  My questions: Is riding more than two abreast something you can be arrested for? Is it consider reckless or careless driving? (I guess I am wondering: Is impeding traffic because you are two apart reckless?) If you are …

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Roadway Debris

By Geo Posted on January 7, 2020 Posted in Ask Geo, Impeding Traffic, Misc No Comments

Question Howard asked:  In the North, property owners may be legally liable for ice and snow on the sidewalk in front of their property if someone slips and falls. Are property owners in Florida liable if gravel, sand or dirt from …

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Group Rides

By Geo Posted on October 21, 2019 Posted in Ask Geo, Impeding Traffic, Lane Width & Sharing, Rights & Duties No Comments

Question Larry asked:  My name is Larry Wallace and I am the Bike/Ped Coordinator for the Florida Department of Transportation in Fort Lauderdale, FL. I have been receiving several questions regarding what is the law regarding large bicycle groups taking the …

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Groups of Cyclists Impeding Other Traffic

By Geo Posted on July 31, 2018 Posted in Ask Geo, Group Riding, Impeding Traffic, Lane Width & Sharing 3 Comments

Question Anonymous asked: Maybe I’m completely wrong. Saturday, 7/28/18, about 8:30 am, my wife and I were travelling to Leesburg from Orlando. We took County Road 455 as a scenic route on our journey. The portion between The West Orange …

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Riding Two or More Abreast

By Geo Posted on June 15, 2018 Posted in Ask Geo, Bike Lanes, Group Riding, Impeding Traffic, Lane Width & Sharing No Comments

Question Sandy asked: I live in Weston, FL, where there are specific bike lanes. However there are “clubs” that ride together, 2-3-4-5 abreast at times that literally take over the entire right lane for drivers of autos. Is this legal?

Riding Two Abreast

By Geo Posted on February 24, 2018 Posted in Ask Geo, Group Riding, Impeding Traffic, Lane Width & Sharing 2 Comments

Question Mark asked: Do double pacelines violate the statute with reference to riding two abreast when one or both lead riders rotate to the back of the line? At that point, they will be riding three or four abreast.

Impeding Other Traffic

By Geo Posted on July 12, 2017 Posted in Ask Geo, Bike Lanes, Impeding Traffic, Lane Width & Sharing No Comments

Question Sean asked: A group of riders and myself (also a rider) were discussing the age old question of whether it’s better, from both a safety and legality standpoint, whether it’s better for us to ride single file in our …

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Bicycle Groups and Bike Lanes

By Geo Posted on January 24, 2017 Posted in Ask Geo, Bike Lanes, Impeding Traffic 10 Comments

Question Elizabeth asked: Every weekend there are cyclists that gather in large numbers. They clump together spilling out of the bike lane and blocking at least half of the road. This requires vehicles to drive at a snails pace until …

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Speed Regulation of Bicycles

By Geo Posted on May 6, 2016 Posted in Ask Geo, Impeding Traffic 1 Comment

Question Miguel asked: Is velocity of bicycles on state or local roads regulated in Florida or any other place in USA.

Group Riders Two Abreast?

By Geo Posted on February 3, 2015 Posted in Ask Geo, Group Riding, Impeding Traffic No Comments

Question Harry asked: When bicycles are in groups are they supposed to ride single file or are they allowed to ride side by side?

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