Posted: | January 18, 2013 04:00 PM |
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From: | Representative Ron Marsico |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Right of Way of Pedestrians in crosswalks |
In the near future, I will introduce legislation which will require all vehicles to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks. Following the tragic death last year of Owen Brezitski in a crosswalk outside my alma mater Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, Owen's mother, Karen gave me a very emotional explanation of what took place and indicated that she wanted something good to come out of the tragedy. The bill amends Title 75 (the Vehicle Code), specifically Section 3542, by adding language which requires motor vehicle drivers to both stop and yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk when traffic control signals are not in place or in operation. This is a change that New Jersey successfully implemented recently. See: http://www.nj.gov/lps/hts/downloads/Crosswalk_Warning_Palm_Card.pdf Additionally, my legislation adds language amending Title 75, Section 3327, which would increase the fine from $50 to $200 if the offense occurs within a school zone. Crosswalks are designed to allow pedestrians to cross the roadway safely. Therefore, please join me in sponsoring this important piece of legislation in order to better protect our pedestrians. |
Introduced as HB412