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An Act To Require Motorists To Stop for Pedestrians in Crosswalks
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  current law requires an operator of a motor vehicle to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk; and
Whereas,  requiring the operator of a motor vehicle to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk is safer; and
Whereas,  the sooner this legislation takes effect, the better the chances are of saving lives and preventing injuries; and
Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2056, sub-§4, as amended by PL 1999, c. 101, §1, is further amended to read:
 
4. Pedestrians in marked crosswalks.   When traffic-control devices are not in operation, an operator must stop and yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing within a marked crosswalk.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
SUMMARY
Current law requires the operator of a motor vehicle to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing within a marked crosswalk. This bill requires the operator of a motor vehicle to stop and yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing within a marked crosswalk.