In today’s podcast, Richard L. Duquette discusses Bicycle Light Law at Dark. As the fall leaves change colors and the days get shorter the sun sets earlier. This affects many cyclists who commute during the dark hours.
Determining Sunset and Sunrise
In California, darkness is defined as :30 after sunset and :30 before sunrise. To precisely define that, look on the Navy Meteorological and Oceanography Command website.
Here you find various standards of time. If you look at June 14, 2014, it was the shortest night of the year. There were 14:54 of daylight and sunset was at 8:37pm.
If you were riding without a light at 7:45pm and involved in an accident, you would be considered law abiding. You could not be in violation until after 9:00pm.
Adjusters Chipping Away at Your Claim
Insurance companies do whatever they can to minimize your claim. They use comparative fault principles. The definition of comparative fault as there must be a substantial factor that causes an injury. If it’s dusk and not dark, that is a trivial factor in any legal consequence.
To hear more about Bicycle Light Law at Dark, download and listen to the entire episode.
If you are short on time, here are the highlights of Bicycle Light Law at Dark:
Legal definition of darkness? (1:10)
Comparative Fault Defense Argument? (2:35)
The insurance company adjusters are trying to spook you (4:30)
Where to look for electric bike information (5:14)
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