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House passes pedestrian safety bill banning exchanges in active lanes on faster roads
Summary
HB 161 would prohibit exchanges (money or property) between drivers and pedestrians in active lanes on paved roads with speed limits of 35 mph or higher; the House passed the bill 72‑0 and referred it to the Senate.
The Utah House on Feb. 10 passed HB 161, a pedestrian safety bill that forbids exchanges between drivers and pedestrians in active travel lanes on paved roads or controlled‑access highways where the posted speed is 35 miles per hour or higher. Representative Eliason, sponsor, said the law “simply specifies if you're going to do that, you should do it in a safe place instead of an active lane of traffic.”
The measure removes language struck by courts in prior legislation, limits application to higher‑speed paved roads and ramps, and prescribes penalties that start as infractions for the first two offenses and escalate to a class C misdemeanor on a third offense. Representative Winder spoke in support, noting local governments have used similar ordinances and that statewide consistency could improve public education and safety.
Representative Eliason said there was no fiscal note for the bill; after floor discussion the House approved HB 161 by voice/roll call 72‑0 and sent it to the Senate for further consideration.
