Pedestrian control signals; abide by words or symbols displayed thereon. (HB1478)

Introduced By

Del. David Toscano (D-Charlottesville)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Pedestrian control signals. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Passed

History

DateAction
01/16/2008Committee
01/16/2008Presented and ordered printed 089850752
01/16/2008Referred to Committee on Transportation
01/25/2008Assigned Transportation sub: 2
02/05/2008Reported from Transportation with amendment (15-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/07/2008Read first time
02/08/2008Read second time
02/08/2008Committee amendment agreed to
02/08/2008Engrossed by House as amended HB1478E
02/08/2008Printed as engrossed 089850752-E
02/11/2008Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (96-Y 0-N)
02/11/2008VOTE: BLOCK VOTE PASSAGE (96-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/11/2008Reconsideration of passage agreed to by House
02/11/2008Passed House BLOCK VOTE (98-Y 0-N)
02/11/2008VOTE: BLOCK VOTE PASSAGE #2 (98-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/11/2008Communicated to Senate
02/12/2008Constitutional reading dispensed
02/12/2008Referred to Committee on Transportation
02/21/2008Reported from Transportation (15-Y 0-N)
02/25/2008Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/26/2008Read third time
02/26/2008Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/28/2008Enrolled
02/28/2008Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1478ER)
02/28/2008Signed by Speaker
03/02/2008Signed by President
03/07/2008G Approved by Governor-Chapter 451 (effective 7/1/08)
03/14/2008G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0451)

Comments

Waldo Jaquith writes:

This bill resulted from the case of Charlottesville's Gerry Mitchell, who was badly injured in this traffic accident last month:

Harry Landers writes:

I'm not so sure I feel comfortable substituting "numbers or symbols" that mean "walk" for the word "walk". How am I supposed to know what number means "walk"? How many different symbols will they come up with? Why not just a single consistent standard of signals that say "walk" and "don't walk"?

Waldo Jaquith writes:

There are models of pedestrian control signals that produce sound to indicate whether or not it's safe to cross, with the visually impaired in mind. I'm curious how somebody blind would be subject to existing law or this modified law if they were to cross against those signals.

Alison Hymes writes:

Why not introduce a bill requiring safe driving lessons for police in response to the accident instead of a bill that would have made the ticket Mr. Mitchell got legal? Do we want to be able to ticket people who are hit by police cars or do we want police officers to be more careful in their driving so they don't hit pedestrians? Sheesh.

David Toscano writes:

I thought people might also be interested in HB1270, on which I am a co-patron. The bill provides greater protection to pedestrians who enter a marked crosswalk by requiring drivers to stop and yield. Present law now requires them only to yield.

Alison Hymes writes:

Good bill, should help a lot. I still think we need safe driving lessons in the police academy though and perhaps required traffic school for police who have an accident involving a civilian.