Senate Bill 1464, which would require drivers to give bicyclists at least 3 feet of space when passing from behind, was approved by the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee following a hearing on April 17th. During the hearing a number of witnesses spoke on behalf of the legislation, including Heath Maddox, a Berkley resident whose father was killed by a passing motorist during a bike ride, as well Bill Dullea of GJEL Accident Attorneys.
Prior to testifying on behalf of the 3-foot passing bill, Bill Dullea met with one of the bill’s sponsors, Senator Alan Lowenthal from Southern California and spoke extensively with his aide, John Casey, about both Senate Bill 1464 and bike safety legislation in general. Dullea also met and coordinated with Jim Brown of the California Bicycle Coalition, another sponsor of the bill.
Senator Mark DeSaulnier, heading the committee, along with the other committee members listened to Dullea’s testimony as he spoke about the need to increase bike safety so that bicyclists and motorists alike can feel safe on our roads. Dullea also mentioned that this law could help law enforcement and courts determine responsibility for these oftentimes serious accidents.
The committee voted unanimously in approving the bill, and it now moves onto another committee in the Senate.
GJEL is proud to support this legislation and honored that Bill Dullea was able to play a small role in helping the bill continue on to the Senate, where it will be voted on later this month.
Andy Gillin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Chicago. He is the managing partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has written and lectured in the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury law for numerous organizations. Andy is a highly recognized wrongful death lawyer in California.