Source: https://www.holcombdunbar.com/insurance-law-from-a-to-z-series-driver-safety-laws/
Timestamp: 2019-09-22 11:59:47
Document Index: 722548678

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63']

Holcomb Dunbar Attorneys Insurance Law From A to Z Series - Driver Safety Laws - Holcomb Dunbar Attorneys
This week’s installment – Driver Safety Laws
A person riding a bicycle upon a roadway generally has all of the rights and responsibilities of a driver of a vehicle. Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-1303.
If a bicycle lane exists, the operator of a motor vehicle may not block the lane to oncoming bicycle traffic and shall yield to a bicyclist before entering or crossing the lane. Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-1305.
Bicyclists operating a bicycle on a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb unless it is unsafe to do so, when passing another bicyclist, when preparing to make a left hand turn or when proceeding straight in a place where right hand turns are permitted, and when necessary to avoid a hazardous condition. Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-1307. Further, bicyclists should not ride more than two abreast, except on paths or roadways exclusively for bicycles. Id.
When passing, motorists are required to leave a safe distance of not less than three feet between the vehicle and bicycle. Further, a motor vehicle may pass a bicycle in a non-passing zone when it is safe to do so. And a motorist that passes a bicycle may not make a right turn unless the turn can be made with reasonable safety. Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-1309.
It is unlawful to harass, taunt or maliciously throw an object at or in the direction of any person riding a bicycle. Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-1313.
No prohibition for adult drivers of passenger vehicles. However, the use of a cell phone could potentially lead to a citation for careless driving, or worse, if driver inattention causes an accident.
Mississippi bans the use of cell phones and personal digital assistants while driving for the following: (1) any person authorized to drive under an intermediate license, temporary learning permit or a temporary driving permit; and (2) any person operating a passenger bus with a minor passenger on the bus, except for an emergency or official school business. There are exceptions for emergencies, reporting reckless behavior and law enforcement. Miss. Code Ann. § 63-1-73.
Pedestrians are subject to all traffic control signals at intersections. Where no traffic signal is in place or operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield right-of-way to pedestrians within any marked cross-walk or within any unmarked cross-walk at an intersection. (Also, drivers approaching a vehicle yielding to a cross walk may not overtake and pass that vehicle.) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield right of way to all vehicles on the roadway. Miss. Code Ann. §§ 63-3-1101, 1103 and 1105.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-2-1 requires all passenger vehicles drivers and front-seat passengers to wear safety belts. Some exemptions include: (1) drivers and passengers with disabilities or medical conditions that make safety belts impossible or dangerous to use; (2) drivers and passengers of vehicles designed for farm use; and (3) on-duty drivers of U.S. Postal Service vehicles and on-duty meter readers.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-909 outlines what a driver must do before leaving a vehicle unattended in Mississippi: (1) turn off the engine; (2) lock the ignition; (3) remove the key; and (4) set the brake and turn the wheels to the curb (if on a grade).