Drivers would face tougher penalties for harming vulnerable road users

Drivers who cause certain injuries or deaths through moving violations would face criminal penalties. Covered road users include pedestrians, people using wheelchairs, skates, or nonmotorized scooters, people riding horses, people using qualifying transportation devices, and rural mail carriers delivering on their routes. The misdemeanor applies when a moving violation that already has criminal penalties causes injury to a covered road user or a person operating a farm vehicle on the road in compliance with the law. A felony applies when a moving violation causes serious injury requiring inpatient hospital or rehabilitation care, or causes a covered road user’s death; causing the death of a compliant farm vehicle operator carries a higher maximum prison term. The measure would take effect only if Senate Bill 217 is enacted. The measure would take effect 90 days after enactment, but only if Senate Bill 217 is also enacted.

Drivers passing stopped vehicles displaying warning lights or lamps would have to slow down and move away when possible; violations would carry set civil fines. These rules apply when drivers approach a stopped vehicle displaying the warning lights or lamps described in the bill text. On a road with at least two adjacent lanes moving in the same direction, drivers must move at least one lane or two vehicle widths away unless a police officer directs otherwise. If moving away is not possible, or the road lacks those lanes, drivers must use care and slow at least 10 miles per hour below the posted limit, or follow an officer’s direction. The fine is $400, or $750 if police, firefighters, or other emergency responders are present in the stopped emergency vehicle. The measure would take effect 90 days after enactment, but only if Senate Bill 217 is also enacted.