We have all been passed by Tractor Trailers as if we were not even on the road. Unfortunately, most police officers do not enforce Florida's "3 foot law". Failure to follow the law led to a tragic death on Saturday afternoon.
Randolph Oller, a 48 year old Melbourne man was working on his car on I-95 Saturday afternoon when he was killed. Oller, was on the east shoulder working on his car, when troopers say he fell into the outside lane for an unknown reason and was hit by the right rear tire of a tractor-trailer driven by 35-year-old Jesus Rodriguez, of Hallandale.
This accident occurred at approximately 4:30 P.M., and visibility was not an issue. To that end, Jesus Rodriguez had an duty to keep a proper lookout, and to pass Mr. Oller at a safe distance. Had Mr. Rodriguez operated his vehicle in accordance with Florida's "3 foot law" this accident could have been avoided.
Florida Statute 316.083 states:
The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions, and special rules hereinafter stated:
(1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall give an appropriate signal as provided for in s. 316.156, shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance, and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle must pass the bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle at a safe distance of not less than 3 feet between the vehicle and the bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle.
