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Committee hears bill defining driver duties, penalties for pedestrian-activated crosswalk devices
Summary
Senate Bill 471, sponsored by Sen. Dave Fern, would clarify driver responsibilities at pedestrian-actuated devices (flashing yellow beacons), raise fines and make drivers liable for damage to devices; the bill cleared its hearing with informational testimony and a zero fiscal note after revisions.
Senator Dave Fern, sponsor of Senate Bill 471, told the House Transportation Committee the bill aims to clarify what drivers and pedestrians must do when encountering pedestrian-activated warning devices (often called RRFBs or flashing yellow beacons). Fern said the devices are increasingly common and that Montana needs clearer rules so drivers and pedestrians — including cyclists — know when to stop, yield or proceed.
The bill would make it a violation when a pedestrian-actuated device is activated and a driver fails to yield; it also adds a provision making a driver who damages a pedestrian-actuated device liable for…
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