S.J.R. 9

1

RESOLUTION ON PEDESTRIAN RIGHTS
2 1999 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Sponsor: Gene Davis
5 A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE URGING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO
6 ENFORCE ORDINANCES GOVERNING PEDESTRIAN ACCESS AND RIGHT-OF-WAY.
7 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
8 WHEREAS, in 1997, 39 pedestrians were killed on Utah's public streets and highways in
9 accidents involving a motor vehicle;
10 WHEREAS, in 1998, 52 pedestrians were killed in accidents involving a motor vehicle,
11 an increase of 25%;
12 WHEREAS, important steps should be taken to prevent this escalation of pedestrian danger
13 and reduce the number of tragedies;
14 WHEREAS, pedestrians are granted the right-of-way on public roads;
15 WHEREAS, pedestrians have the right to use public roads and public transportation in
16 safety;
17 WHEREAS, pedestrians have the right to protection from hasty and careless motorists,
18 particularly when using crosswalks;
19 WHEREAS, crosswalks that are well lighted increase pedestrian safety;
20 WHEREAS, increasing the number of sidewalks on public streets would increase
21 pedestrian safety;
22 WHEREAS, motorists need to slow down and increase their awareness of pedestrians;
23 WHEREAS, green lights should be long enough to allow pedestrians to safely cross the
24 street; and
25 WHEREAS, dedicated efforts by local governments to increase the safety of pedestrians
26 is needed to stem the tide of suffering from these needless tragedies:
27 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah urge

28 local governments to enforce local ordinances governing pedestrian access and right-of-way so that
29 deaths and accidents involving pedestrians and motor vehicles can be reduced and, where possible,
30 prevented.
31 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to each of Utah's city
32 councils and county commissions, and to each city and county's chief law enforcement official.




Legislative Review Note
as of 2-2-99 3:55 PM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel