Pa 21-28 (hb 5429) – An Act Concerning Pedestrian Safety 

Yielding to Pedestrians at Crosswalks

This law expands the circumstances under which drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks that are not controlled by traffic signals or police officers. Currently, a driver must yield to a pedestrian, slowing or stopping as necessary, if the pedestrian has stepped off the curb or into the crosswalk.

Under the act, a driver must do so if the pedestrian: 1. is within any portion of the crosswalk; 2. steps to the curb at a crosswalk’s entrance and indicates intent to cross the road by raising his or her hand and arm toward oncoming traffic; or 3. indicates intent to cross the road by moving into the crosswalk’s entrance any body part or any extension of a body part, including a wheelchair, cane, walking stick, crutch, bicycle, electric bicycle, stroller, carriage, cart, or leashed or harnessed dog.

As under existing law, drivers who fail to yield at a crosswalk when required are subject to a $500 fine.

Dooring

This law prohibits a person from causing physical contact between a vehicle door and moving traffic by (1) opening the door, if the moving traffic is traveling at a reasonable speed with due regard for the safety of people and property, or (2) leaving it open longer than needed to load or unload passengers.

Violations of this provision are infractions. Under the act, “moving traffic” includes motor vehicles, bicycles, electric bicycles, and electric foot scooters traveling on the highway and pedestrians and people riding bicycles, electric bicycles, or electric foot scooters on sidewalks, shoulders, or bikeways.