State Rep. Stephen Harding (R-107) – as a co-sponsor of the bill – voted for a piece of legislation last week that would increase penalties for failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and failure to exercise due care to avoid hitting a pedestrian or cyclist.
House Bill 5403, which would largely raise fines for violators, was a personal initiative for many legislators and passed through the House with 144 affirmative votes. It now awaits action in the Senate.
“Recently, two young lives from our district were taken far too early due to being struck by vehicles. It is imperative that we do everything possible to further ensure the safety of our local pedestrians on the road,” said Rep. Harding. “I was especially supportive of the element of this bill that requires violation payments to be remitted to the municipality in which the violation occurred. It is not a state gimmick to make more money, but rather a local effort to show drivers the importance of pedestrian safety.”
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