Senate Bill 345 aims to enhance pedestrian safety at intersections and crosswalks by mandating that vehicle operators must stop their vehicles and remain stopped until pedestrians, personal delivery devices, bicyclists, or riders of electric scooters or personal assistive mobility devices have completely crossed the roadway. This bill amends several sections of the statutes, specifically changing the language from requiring vehicle operators to "yield the right-of-way" to instead requiring them to "stop the vehicle" in these situations. The amendments apply to various scenarios, including intersections controlled by traffic signals and those not controlled by signals, ensuring that the new stopping requirement is consistent across different traffic conditions.

In addition to the primary requirement for stopping, the bill also clarifies that pedestrians and other non-motorized users must yield to vehicles when they are lawfully proceeding on a green signal. The bill modifies existing provisions regarding vehicle operations at red signals and green arrow signals, emphasizing the need for vehicles to yield to pedestrians and other non-motorized users within crosswalks. Overall, the legislation seeks to improve safety for vulnerable road users by establishing clearer rules for vehicle operators at intersections and crosswalks.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 346.23(1), 346.23, 346.23(2), 346.24(1), 346.24, 346.24(2), 346.37(1)(a)1, 346.37, 346.37(1)(c)3, 346.37(1)(c)4, 346.37(1)(d)1, 346.37(1)(e)1