On Friday, May 11, 2018 at 10:28:53 AM UTC-7, sms wrote:
On 5/11/2018 9:43 AM, jbeattie wrote:

snip
Interestingly, most people are perfectly fine without DRLs. I can see DRLs and flashers in low light conditions, but actually requiring them for all conditions is dopey. I know you like to poke the ant-hill on this issues, so go for it, but equipment requirements will just turn into selective enforcement tools for cops who dislike certain riders. You're batteries run out, and some cop busts you because he doesn't like some ordinance you passed.

We need to pass more laws to make everything safe for everybody.

Actually I'm the only one on our council that's voted against some
ridiculous new ordinances that try to do that. On one vote the City
Clerk was so shocked that she reported the vote as unanimous and I had
to interrupt her to correct her. Passing meaningless, unenforceable laws
that are already duplicated at the state level is ridiculous. We have no
real way to even prosecute violators of some ordinances because the
county DA won't do it. OTOH, for some things, it's not that enforcement
is expected, it's about getting people to understand what behavior is a
good idea, and knowing that most people have the sense to do what the
law says (seat belt laws, etc.).

In my area, there's no need for laws regarding bicycle DRLs or rear
flashers, since usage is already very high for transportational cycling.
Some areas of the country could use this law. For example, in some
counties in Ohio, such as Mahoning County, there appears to be a need
for such a DRL law.

Except that the collision rate there is zero. It's the last place that needs regulation because the drivers appear to be paying attention.

That's another aspect of this law -- built-in comparative fault anytime some unlighted rider gets hit by a car, even if he or she is hit in broad daylight while wearing fluorescent clothing and pulling a calliope blaring The Liberty Bell march. It's negligence per se in most states and will go to the jury who may be disposed to hating bicyclists.

You will be screwed if your batteries die, particular if you get hit by a car or look like an illegal alien or whatever else happens to be unpopular at the time.

-- Jay Beattie.