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Senate Bill 471 seeks rules for pedestrian-activated crossing devices; engineers warn of national design standard conflict
Summary
Senator Dave Fern said SB 471 would define driver duties and fines for activated pedestrian devices (RRFBs) and make drivers financially liable for device damage. MDT engineers flagged a potential conflict with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which the sponsor amended to resolve; committee left the fiscal note at zero and closed the hearing.
Senator Dave Fern opened the hearing on Senate Bill 471, saying the bill aims to clarify how drivers should behave when encountering pedestrian-activated devices commonly called rapid rectangular flashing beacons (RRFBs). He described two primary changes: clarifying yield/stop behavior when the device is activated and making a driver liable for repair or replacement costs if they damage a device.
Sponsor’s text and reasoning: Fern told the committee the bill places heightened responsibility on drivers when a pedestrian-activated device is engaged and reads in part: "When the…
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