BAKERSFIELD, CA- The new year is just two days which means many of the bills that Governor Jerry Brown signed this year will become law in 2014.
Two of those new laws are for drivers. Motorists will have to be more careful on how they share the road with bicyclists in 2014.
"It's about creating a community so that we understand that we're all using the same resources," said Zach Griffin with Bike Bakersfield.
Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 1371, also known as the Three Feet for Safety Act in September.
The law requires a driver overtaking and passing a bicyclist that is headed the same direction, to pass at least three feet away from any part of the bicycle.
"It is a tool, it's not a cure all. It's not a magic pill but it's a tool to help communities around California make the road ways safer," said Griffin.
"If the driver can't safely pass that bicyclist within three feet he has to slow down to the speed of the bicyclist and then pass when it's safe to do so," said Sergeant Joe Grubbs with the Bakersfield Police Department.
But will the law be a challenge to enforce?
"Obviously we're not going to be able to stop and take out a tape measure because they are traveling down a road way but the officer will have to be able to convince a judge that the driver was within three feet," said Grubbs.
Drivers 18 years and younger have another law to abide. It elimates talking on their cellphone all together.
"They can't use any type of device whatsoever. So hands free or not, they can't use it," said Grubbs.
The teen driver law goes into effect January 1.
The passing distance goes into effect September 16.
Two of those new laws are for drivers. Motorists will have to be more careful on how they share the road with bicyclists in 2014.
"It's about creating a community so that we understand that we're all using the same resources," said Zach Griffin with Bike Bakersfield.
Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 1371, also known as the Three Feet for Safety Act in September.
The law requires a driver overtaking and passing a bicyclist that is headed the same direction, to pass at least three feet away from any part of the bicycle.
"It is a tool, it's not a cure all. It's not a magic pill but it's a tool to help communities around California make the road ways safer," said Griffin.
"If the driver can't safely pass that bicyclist within three feet he has to slow down to the speed of the bicyclist and then pass when it's safe to do so," said Sergeant Joe Grubbs with the Bakersfield Police Department.
But will the law be a challenge to enforce?
"Obviously we're not going to be able to stop and take out a tape measure because they are traveling down a road way but the officer will have to be able to convince a judge that the driver was within three feet," said Grubbs.
Drivers 18 years and younger have another law to abide. It elimates talking on their cellphone all together.
"They can't use any type of device whatsoever. So hands free or not, they can't use it," said Grubbs.
The teen driver law goes into effect January 1.
The passing distance goes into effect September 16.