Pedestrians Crossing Roadways. Pedestrians are required to obey the instructions of official traffic control devices unless otherwise directed by a traffic or police officer. Pedestrians facing a steady yellow or red signal, or a yellow or red arrow signal, may not enter the roadway unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal. Pedestrians facing a steady or flashing "DON'T WALK" or hand symbol may not enter the roadway.
Pedestrians may not cross a roadway between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation except in a marked crosswalk, or cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic control devices. Pedestrians may also not cross a roadway at an unmarked crosswalk where an official sign prohibits such crossing.
Pedestrians crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the roadway. Pedestrians crossing a roadway where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the road.
No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk, run, or otherwise move into the path of a vehicle that is so close it is impossible for the driver to stop (impossible to stop standard).
Pedestrians Moving Along Roadways. When sidewalks are provided and are accessible it is unlawful for a pedestrian to walk or move along an adjacent roadway. When sidewalks are not available a pedestrian moving along a roadway must walk or move on the shoulder when available and face traffic when a shoulder facing traffic is available. When a shoulder is not available, a pedestrian must walk or move as near as practicable to the outside edge of the roadway facing traffic. When walking or moving along an adjacent roadway a pedestrian must exercise due care to avoid colliding with a vehicle on the roadway.
Municipal Transit Vehicles. A municipal transit vehicle is defined as a motor vehicle, streetcar, train, trolley vehicle, and any other device, which is:
Fully Controlled Limited Access Highways. A fully controlled limited access highway is defined in rules adopted by the Washington State Department of Transportation as a highway controlled to give preference to through traffic by providing access connections with selected public roads only, and by prohibiting crossings where no other reasonable means of access exists. All nonmotorized traffic is prohibited on state highways established and constructed as fully controlled limited access facilities, which must contain signage advising of such prohibition.
The bill as referred to committee not considered.
A police officer is prohibited from enforcing certain state laws regulating crossing or moving along roadways by a pedestrian unless the pedestrian is in violation of the impossible to stop standard. A police officer may not enforce similar local ordinances regulating crossing or moving along roadways unless the pedestrian is in violation of the impossible to stop standard at the state or equivalent local level. A pedestrian retains the duty of exercising due care for their safety, while the driver of a vehicle retains the duty of exercising due care for the safety of pedestrians in the roadway.
Municipal transit vehicles are added as a vehicle type within the impossible to stop standard.
When sidewalks are not provided or are inaccessible, and regardless of the presence of shoulders, a pedestrian walking or otherwise moving along a roadway is not required to walk on or move along the shoulder of the roadway facing traffic but must exercise due care to avoid colliding with any vehicle on the roadway.
Enforcement of unlawful crossing of or moving along a fully controlled limited access highway is preserved.
By July 1, 2025, and until July 1, 2029, the Administrative Office of the Courts must annually report state and local infraction data for pedestrian violations of crossing or moving along a roadway to the appropriate committees of the Legislature.
The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: The bill is about the right to walk freely and safely on public rights-of-way. Pedestrians should have more priority for crossing the roadway. Ticketing unhoused individuals moving along the roadway does not make us safer and can become a barrier for this demographic. Fifty percent of those ticketed are unhoused or those simply trying to catch the bus. The bill removes potential unequitable traffic outcomes. Black pedestrians are ticketed four times more than others. Police stops for jaywalking are often checks for open warrants in a stop-and-frisk style of policing. Pedestrians already know when it is safe to cross the roadway. The bill helps police focus on more needed services. More than half of counties have 10 to 30 percent of jaywalking tickets. Current pedestrian infrastructure is not supportive of safe roadway crossings. Alternative actions, like improving sidewalks and lowering speed limits, would be more beneficial and preferred. Highly discretionary stops are more prevalent in low-income areas and used to execute certain warrants. Current jaywalking ticket penalties are high and may result in eventual criminal penalties if not paid timely. The bill will allow persons with disabilities to cross roadways where it is more convenient and accessible. Having to cross at a signalized intersection can add a lot of additional travel time.
CON: Trends in traffic fatalities are up and highly disproportionate in BIPOC communities. Since 2017, many traffic fatalities have occurred outside of a crosswalk. The immediate danger standard is outcome oriented and jeopardizes both drivers and pedestrians. There is an expectation that more people will jaywalk under the bill. Highways are designed for cars. State laws already contain permissions to cross the roadway. Traffic safety courses would need to be modified.
OTHER: This bill works to accomplish the goal of equity, but safety will be diminished. The bill does not go far enough to clear up liability and puts emphasis of liability on drivers. There are general concerns on right-of-way maintenance costs. Sixty percent of traffic fatalities over previous five years occurred outside of crosswalks. The bill would allow pedestrians to ignore tunnels or traffic signals. We need to focus on enforcement rather than changing the underlying traffic laws. Pedestrians need to use the facilities meant to keep them safe. Other state have amended their jaywalking laws with a focus on enforcement.
PRO: Senator Rebecca Saldaña, Prime Sponsor; Laurence Leveen; Cristina Mateo, WA Build Back Black Alliance - (WBBA); Bryce Yadon, Transportation Choices Coalition; Ethan Campbell, Transportation Choices Research Partner; Aidan Carroll, Stop The Sweeps; DeAndre Anderson; Jaime Torres; Michael Leach, Move Redmond; Magda Baker, Washington Defender Association.
CON: Taylor Gardner, WA Assn of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs; David-Henry Sedelmeier, Driving School owner.
OTHER: Brandy DeLange, Association of Washington ; Mark McKechnie, Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
No one.