The obligation of motorists to leave a distance of one meter between their vehicle and cyclists, Ellen’s law, is now in effect for five years in New Brunswick.
Motorists have generally become more aware that they should leave this space for cyclists, believe Brian Gillismember of the lobbying committee of Vélo NB.
Another cyclist Brian Atkinson, shares his opinion even though he was hit by a car in Fredericton last month and the motorist did not stop to help him. Lord. Atkinson states that most motorists try to leave space for cyclists.
The law ofEllen implemented in the province on June 1, 2017. Ellen Watters, 28, is a rising cycling star in Canada. He was hit by a car while training near Sussex in December 2016.
We need to improve the lawEllendispute of cyclists
However, the law needs clarification, according to Brian Gillis. For example, it stipulates that vehicles passing on a bicycle traveling in the same direction must overtake on the left maintaining a minimum distance of one meter and that they should not occupy the right side before being at a sufficient distance to do so without danger.
Brian Gillis Considering that it should specify that the distance of one meter applies to anything attached to the vehicle, such as side mirrors or objects carried in a trailer.
The law should also specify that it should be respected even if cyclists use the cycle lane next to the road, Mr. added. Gillis.
All of this will help the police enforce the law more consistently, he said.
Fines for drivers at fault
It is not possible to have comments from the Minister of Public Security about the lawEllen.
According to a ministry spokesperson, there have been four judgments under this law since it took effect. He did not specify whether these were just tickets issued by the nine municipal and regional police services or whether it was also a question of those issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Such a low number of convictions could indicate that police are doing little or some tickets have been successfully challenged, according to a Toronto lawyer representing cyclists who have been victims of accidents, Patrick Brown.
The RCMP claimed for his part that he issued 16 tickets under the law ofEllen in 2017, 13 in 2018, 14 in 2019 and 78 in 2020. It doesn’t have the numbers for 2021 yet.
The spokesman for RCMP, Hans Ouellette, it is not known whether these tickets were contested or not. He can’t certainly explain why their number increased in 2020, but he notices more people doing outdoor activities that year.
According to the report ofAiden Coxng CBC
Source: Radio-Canada
