SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 1934

                              AS OF APRIL 4, 1991

Brief Description:  Clarifying laws relating to pedestrians in intersections.

SPONSORS:House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Van Luven, Heavey, D. Sommers, Kremen, Chandler, Horn, G. Fisher, Basich, Orr, Forner, Wood, Nelson, Prince, Schmidt, Wilson, Betrozoff, Cooper, Winsley, Paris, Ferguson, Brekke and Jacobsen).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff:  David Williams (786‑7305)

Hearing Dates:April 4, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Previous to 1990, Washington statutes relating to pedestrian and traffic control signals had not been updated since 1975.  Language addressing pedestrians in crosswalks had not been updated in 25 years. 

In 1990, the Legislature enacted SB 6303.  Through the enactment of SB 6303, the Legislature:

1.Changed all references to vehicles "yielding the right of way to other vehicles and pedestrians when approaching traffic control devices."  This phrase was amended to state that "the operator of a vehicle shall stop to allow the pedestrians or other vehicles lawfully moving within the intersection to complete their movements."

2.Required the driver of an approaching vehicle to stop to allow the pedestrian to cross in a marked or unmarked crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the road on which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is on the opposite half of the road and moving toward the approaching vehicle.

SUMMARY:

At signalized arterials, vehicle operators are required to stop to allow a pedestrian to cross the arterial when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is travelling.  All vehicle operators are required to stop at school crossings to allow pedestrians to completely cross the street before proceeding.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested