SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5183

BYSenators von Reichbauer, Talmadge, Patterson, DeJarnatt and Lee

Enhancing pedestrian safety.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 2, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; von Reichbauer, Vice Chairman; Barr, Conner, DeJarnatt, Hansen, Madsen, Murray, Sellar, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)

                  March 15, 1989

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 14, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Each year in the United States, approximately 6,000 pedestrians are killed on streets and highways.  At greatest risk are children and the elderly.  For five to nine year olds, pedestrian injuries are the most common cause of death from trauma.  More than 50,000 children and adolescents are injured as pedestrians each year, many sustaining serious head injuries which can lead to permanent disability.  Treatment and rehabilitation are costly.

In Washington State in 1987, 16 pedestrians under age 15 were killed and 539 were injured.  83.6 percent of these children were hit while attempting to cross the street.  In King County during that period, 82 children were treated for pedestrian injuries at Harborview Medical Center and Children's Hospital, with two-thirds suffering from head injuries.  One-third of the children required intensive care.

A driver is required to "yield the right of way to pedestrians."  There is no emphasis that vehicles are expected to stop to allow a pedestrian to cross the roadway at a lawful intersection.

Pedestrians seem to have a false sense of security in crosswalks, believing that drivers must stop.  In 1987, 37 percent of the pedestrians who were killed died while entering the roadway at a crosswalk or intersection.  One-half of those injured were also trying to cross the street at an intersection.  Statistics in the city of Seattle show that 70-90 percent of drivers fail to stop for pedestrians in designated crosswalks regardless of signs and markings.

SUMMARY:

The definition of pedestrian is expanded to include wheelchairs or any means of conveyance propelled by human power other than a bicycle.

All references to vehicles "yielding the right of way" to pedestrians have been changed to state that the operator of a vehicle arriving at an intersection shall stop to allow the pedestrians or other vehicles lawfully moving within the intersection to complete their movement.

Vehicle operators facing a steady yellow signal light shall not enter the roadway, but if pedestrians have begun to cross before the change of signal, drivers shall stop to allow them to complete their movement.

The driver of an approaching vehicle shall stop to allow a pedestrian to cross in a marked or unmarked crosswalk when the pedestrian is in or moving toward the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling.

When a curb ramp for the disabled is located adjacent to or at an intersection or marked crosswalk, disabled persons may enter the roadway from the curb ramps and cross the roadway within or as close as practicable to the crosswalk.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Senator von Reichbauer, sponsor; Senator Talmadge, sponsor