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Stop for Pedestrians in Crosswalks.

Yesterday Governor Quinn signed HB43 into law.  Effective immediately cars are required to come to a complete stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.  The law previously required drivers to yield to pedestrians, but now they must come to a complete stop.  The "yield to pedestrians in crosswalks" has traditionally been one of the most disregarded traffic laws on the books.  This may be due to lack of proper driver education and lack of enforcement.  Hopefully the new law represents a step forward with respect to pedestrians' rights and safety. 

See the press release from the Active Transportation Alliance, excerpted below:

GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE PROVIDES PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IN ILLINOIS
New law requires drivers to come to a complete stop for all pedestrians

Drivers in Illinois are now required to come to a complete stop for all pedestrians in crosswalks, thanks to Gov. Pat Quinn’s signature on Illinois House Bill 43.

The measure, championed by Sen. Heather Steans and Rep. Luis Arroyo, requires drivers to come to a complete stop for pedestrians in all crosswalks – even those that are unmarked or don’t have a stop sign or traffic light.

The law is effective immediately. Penalties vary by county.

This measure clarifies driver responsibility and makes it easier for police to enforce the law. Until now, Illinois law required drivers to yield and stop only when necessary. That language has lead to confusion among drivers and pedestrians, and it’s made enforcement difficult.

“We applaud the governor and the Illinois Assembly for making pedestrian safety a priority in this state,” said Melody Geraci, interim executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance. “Our streets ought to be safe spaces for families, children and neighbors. This law helps to ensure walkable and livable communities where we live, work and play.”

Illinois joins dozens of states with similar laws, including California and Massachusetts.
More than 6,000 pedestrians are hit by cars in Illinois each year, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. These crashes result in more than 1,000 serious injuries and 170 fatalities annually.


The text of 625 ILCS 5/11-1002(a) reads as follows (note the HB 43 changes as indicated):

    Sec. 11-1002. Pedestrians' right-of-way at crosswalks. (a)
When traffic control signals are not in place or not in
operation the driver of a vehicle shall stop and yield the
right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield,
to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when
the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the
vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so
closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in
danger.