Drivers beware: New law sets wide buffer zone for cars passing bikes

By Shannyn Soliven
HNN Summer Intern

Hawaii drivers will have to give bicyclists a 3-foot buffer when passing them under a measure signed into law Wednesday.

Gov. David Ige said Hawaii is the 37th state to pass a law requiring that drivers give bikers space when passing or overtaking them.

"The passage of this bill highlights our commitment to ensuring that cyclists are safe on our roads, and that Hawaii becomes a more bicycle-friendly community," Ige said, in a news release Wednesday.

Act 46 will take effect July 1.

The governor also signed two other bills into law Wednesday.

Act 47 requires counties to pick up abandoned vehicles on public roadways within 10 business days.

Ige said the new law will clear abandoned cars from roads more efficiently. The cars will be auctioned off, he said, and the measure also aims to more quickly classify vehicles as "derelict" so they don't have to be stored.

The law took effect after the governor signed it.

The governor also signed into law a measure aimed at cutting down on the number of stolen boats being fraudulently registered in the state.

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