Many motorists are unaware of...
Maryland Transportation Code § 21-1205. Riding on roadways or on highway.
(a) Riding to right side of roadway.- Each person operating a bicycle or a motor scooter at a speed less than the speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing on a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable and safe, except when:
(6) Operating in a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle or motor scooter and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
Maryland Transportation Code § 21-1209. Throwing object at bicycle, motor scooter, or EPAMD.
(a) Drivers to exercise due care.- Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the driver of a vehicle shall:
(2) When overtaking a bicycle, an EPAMD, or a motor scooter, pass safely at a distance of not less than 3 feet.
Maryland Transportation Code § 22-401. Horns and warning devices.
(b) When to be used.- The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible warning with his horn, but may not otherwise use the horn when on a highway.
There was no necessity for the taxi driver to use the horn. Nothing bad was happening, UNTIL HE HONKED, at which point I was startled and swerved. The horn caused the danger.
Since this has been an almost daily occurrence over the last few weeks, I made a sign the other day with quotes from the Maryland Driver's Manual:
Showed the sign to the guy today, told him he was supposed to know this stuff. It didn't make any difference. He was using a cellphone to film me as if I were the one breaking the rules! I'm really getting sick of this.
I did look online as soon as I got home. I sent messages explaining the issue to the taxi company and to the local government taxicab hotline. Unfortunately I didn't have the presence of mind to take down the cab number, but the company sent a response saying that they will try to figure out who it was and if they find out he will be retrained.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes get honked for riding in the centre of the lane. I usually manage to ignore the driver and just remind myself that the driver has honked because he has seen me - and is not therefore a threat to my safety. I am more worried about any cars that haven't seen me and haven't honked.
ReplyDeleteIf I feel like being interactive, I sometimes smile, wave, and put my hand to my ear so as to indicate that I will give him a call later.