CS/CS/HB 253 - Highway Safety Summary

• Vulnerable User Protections: Establishes comprehensive definition of "vulnerable road users" including pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and moped operators; requires motor vehicles to maintain 3-foot minimum passing distance when overtaking bicycles and other vulnerable users.

• Bicycle and Vulnerable User Rights: Exempts bicycles from right-side passing restrictions in certain situations; allows groups of 4+ bicycles to proceed through stop signs together after coming to full stop; entitles bicyclists to full lane use for left turns.

• Enhanced Traffic Violation Enforcement: Requires law enforcement to note on citations when violations contribute to bodily injury of vulnerable road users; makes violations involving vulnerable users mandatory hearing offenses; ranks such offenses one level above standard ranking for sentencing purposes.

• Driver Improvement Courses: Mandates department-approved driver improvement courses include instruction on vulnerable road user rights for drivers convicted of traffic violations; provides enhanced licensing penalties for those causing vulnerable user injuries.

• Effective Date: Legislation takes effect October 1, 2016; includes conforming amendments to multiple Florida statutes related to vehicle definitions and cross-references.