Drivers must say good-bye to rolling stops at crosswalks and intersections if a pedestrian is crossing the street, according to a new Oregon law that took effect Jan. 1.
The Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 315 last session, also known as the “Stop and Stay Stopped” bill, which changes a previous law dictating what motorists can do at crosswalks.
The major change the law brings is the chance of a ticket for failing to stop and remain stopped. A motorist can be ticketed when he or she does not remain still while a pedestrian is crossing an area without a traffic control device, such as a stop sign.
However, drivers do not have to stop for a pedestrian on the other side of an island.
Drivers are required to stop for pedestrians when making a turn, whether it is a one-way or two-way street.
Many other amendments in the bill replace the words “yield the right of way to” with “remain stopped for” pedestrians.
Currently the base fine for violating the new law is $140, but depending on how the Eugene City Council votes in the next few weeks, it could be raised to $237.
EPD spokeswoman Pam Olshanski said EPD is seeking clarification on the bill specific to controlled intersections and at which point motorists are able to proceed when a pedestrian passes.
In the meantime, EPD will still enforce the law.
“We have an obligation to enforce the laws in place,” she said. “If an officer sees a public safety issue, they will certainly enforce it.”
Willamette Pedestrian Coalition co-President Linda Baker said that WPC founding member Ellen Vanderslice has been working for the legislative change since 1993.
“We’re very concerned about pedestrian fatalities and making a more pedestrian-friendly state,” Baker said.
State Sen. Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, has sponsored the bill in each Legislative session since 1997 to make these changes. A version of the bill went through the Oregon Senate in 2001, but it didn’t make it past the Oregon House.
The successful bill in the 2003 legislative session was co-sponsored by Sens. Richard Devlin, D-Tualatin; Rick Metsger, D-Mt. Hood; John Minnis, R-Fairview; and Rep. Jackie Dingfelder, D-Portland.
Burdick said the idea of the bill came from one of her staff members who worked with WPC and said it was modeled after a bill in Washington. She added that they decided to pursue the idea because they felt crosswalks weren’t as safe as they could be.
“Hopefully this will make the law a lot clearer for both pedestrians and drivers,” Burdick said.
She added that she is always looking for legislation to encourage people to get out of their cars and walk or bike more.
“There are too many pedestrian deaths, and we need to be clear that it’s not enough to dodge a pedestrian,” she said. “The driver has to stop and stay stopped if a pedestrian is present.”
The word “yield” means many things to many people, but the word “stop” is clear, Burdick said.
Baker said there needs to be an extensive public awareness campaign now that the law is in effect. WPC is preparing public service announcements for television.