Twitter, Police, 3 Feet to Pass!

@scoot 117883 wrote:

I wonder whether drivers pass uniformed police officers differently than other bicyclists. You’re far more likely to face consequences for a close pass if the guy you buzz is a cop. But on the other hand, drivers might be less inclined to cross a double yellow line in front of one.

Perhaps I’m being overly charitable, but I would assume most drivers who pass too close aren’t doing it out of malice, but out of ignorance of just how hazardous it is to pass a cyclist too close. I don’t see why those people would give police a wider berth.

@Drewdane 117888 wrote:

Perhaps I’m being overly charitable, but I would assume most drivers who pass too close aren’t doing it out of malice, but out of ignorance of just how hazardous it is to pass a cyclist too close. I don’t see why those people would give police a wider berth.

I just apply Hanlon’s razor to it:

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.

On a more serious note, I don’t think people realize how close they really are to the cyclist when they do the pass. To them, there is no, “OMG, I’m really close to sideswiping that person!” feeling like when driving too close to another vehicle (this is probably also due to the fact that the cyclist is on their blind side when they pass on the left). I think they’re just trying to pass the cyclist, style points for safe passing be damned.