Starting on Monday, new minimum distance requirements are in place for drivers passing vulnerable road users.
Drivers now need to keep at least a metre away when passing cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and people using e-scooters, electric wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
On roads where the speed limit is 51 kilometres an hour or higher, drivers must keep a distance of one-and-a-half-metres and on roads with protected bike lanes or sidewalks, a half-metre passing distance is required.
The distances are measured from the farthest protruding part of a passing motor vehicle, such as a mirror, to the farthest protruding part of a vulnerable road user or their equipment, such as a handlebar.
![Click to play video: 'Traffic Tips: Road test tips for passing on first try'](https://i1.wp.com/media.globalnews.ca/videostatic/news/h5251ferjg-0ey72en0g2/WEB_MN_TRAFFIC_TIPS_FEB_27TH.jpg?w=1040&quality=70&strip=all)
Fines start at $109 plus three driver penalty points for drivers caught violating the new rules.
The penalty increases to $368 and three driver penalty points for failing to maintain prescribed minimum passing distances.
The maximum fine is $2,000 and six months of imprisonment.
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