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An Act To Improve the Health of Maine Citizens and Safety of Pedestrians
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2056, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
 
2. Pedestrian on way. Where sidewalks are not provided, a pedestrian shall walk facing approaching traffic on the left side of the public way or the way's shoulder when practicable. An operator of a motor vehicle who is passing a pedestrian on a public way or the way’s shoulder shall exercise due care by leaving a distance between the motor vehicle and the pedestrian of not less than 3 feet while the motor vehicle is passing the pedestrian. A motor vehicle operator may pass a pedestrian in a no-passing zone only when it is safe to do so.
 
SUMMARY
This bill requires the operator of a motor vehicle, when passing a pedestrian on a public way, to provide that pedestrian with at least 3 feet of clearance and allows the operator to pass the pedestrian when it is safe to do so, even in a no-passing zone. This bill is based on the current law regarding the requirements for passing a bicycle on a public way.