Move over, motorists: the one-metre rule is now in effect

A so-called "one-metre rule" came intoeffect Tuesday, with motorists now required to give at least that distance in space to bicyclists and pedestrians on roads with posted speed limits of 60 km/h or less.

Penaltiesfor failing to do so can range between $100 and $400, or even two to 14 days imprisonment. Drivers will also lose two demerit points from their licence, according to the Highway Traffic Act.

On roadswith higher speed limits, the minimum distance is 1.5 metres.

Corner Brook cyclist Dawn Lejatold CBC Radio's Newfoundland Morning that Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the last provinces to implement this type of law.

"I've had a few close encountersand it's a little bit scary sometimes when you're out there," Leja said.

"I think it's more just to have people thinking about it and being aware, that it's not just motor vehiclesusing the road it's also people who are walking and people who are on bikes."

Leja said she was once almost clipped by a motorcycle while towing her son in a chariotbehind her.

On another occasion, somebody towing a camperalmost clipped her with the vehicle's collapsiblestairs.

"I felt the wind graze by my legs. If they had caught my legs, well, I would have been under the wheels for sure," she said.

In December 2017, Bicycle N.L. which represents cyclists acrossthe province lobbied the Ballgovernment to draft the law.

Lejasaid that most drivers in her area are courteous to cyclists, and that she understands motoristscan sometimes getfrustrated when they are in a rush.

However,she said the stakes for pedestrians and cyclists can literally be life or death in some circumstances, which she said makes the one-metre rule important, especially for children.

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