Title 32: New Perspectives

1100 Laurel Street,Baton Rouge LA 70802

09 June, 2021

Description

NOTE: THIS COURSE IS OPEN TO LOUISIANA LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ONLY. Law enforcement officers are very familiar with motor vehicle law. But Law enforcement officers are very familiar with motor vehicle law. But their frame of reference is how it relates to motorized traffic. Louisiana law explicitly gives bicycle riders the same rights and duties as drivers of motor vehicles (R.S. 32:194). Most, but not all, traffic law applies to bicyclists. Title 32 also addresses pedestrian behavior. Since the view from a bicycle or the sidewalk is different, and neither of those road users is surrounded by a sturdy metal structure to protect him/herself, bicyclists’ and pedestrians’ view of those rights and duties is different from that of the motorist. There are also inconsistencies between Title 32 and many municipal codes that may impact officers’ response to the actions of various road users. A course developed specifically for law enforcement officers addresses these issues. The program increases awareness of Title 32’s impact on the bicycle driver and the pedestrian, and gives traffic patrol officers the opportunity to experience those perspectives: Classroom modules (4 hours): The class is co-taught by a national bicycling coach and an active police officer. The classroom portion covers the traditional “E’s”: • Education: Traffic skills and adherence to laws • Engineering: Roadway designs; effect on behavior and adherence to law • Enforcement: Equitable treatment of bicyclists and pedestrians through the legal process, including common violations, basics of bicycle crash investigation Bicycling/walking modules (3 hours, optional/recommended): • Bicycling – hazard avoidance techniques that are taught to the public and to law enforcement officers to help avoid crashes (Rock Dodge, Quick Stop, Avoidance Weave and Instant Turn; these same techniques are taught in the IPMBA course for police bike patrol). • Road ride and “mini walking audit” designed to include as many types of streets as is feasible based on course location (residential/arterial, narrow/wide, turn lanes, 4-way stops, etc.). Includes “real-world” discussion of classroom concepts while on the road. While the classroom modules provide insight into the way officers interact with bicyclists and pedestrians, the on-road experience makes the difference. Officers’ understanding of Title 32 often changes when they are on bicycles or walking in traffic. These experiences create a new awareness of what it means to be a non-motorist road user. We request that participants in the on-bike portion not wear uniforms/duty belts, unless required. Motorists' reaction to bicyclists may differ when the rider is a citizen vs. an officer with "POLICE" in large letters across the back of his/her shirt. This one-day class runs from 0800 to 1600. Equipment required for participation in classroom modules: none. Equipment required for participation in on-bike modules: Bicycle and helmet.