New Law in WA State for Unsafe Drivers of Pedestrian-Vehicle Crashes

Have you heard the term 'Vulnerable road user' ? The law defines a vulnerable road user as a pedestrian, bicyclist, farm tractor operator or anyone who is not driving a vehicle that encloses the driver in a protective cage as cars and trucks do.

That pretty much means all of us at some time or another right? It's scary just how many people are seriously injured or killed on roads and highways in WA State.

Do you feel safe as a Pedestrian?

Yakima County’s top law enforcement official said a new law cracking down on negligent drivers will likely make little difference in how crashes are prosecuted. Prosecuting Attorney Joe Brusic said that his office likely will seek felony charges in cases where someone hurts or kills a pedestrian in a crash rather than seek a lighter sentence under the new law.

Can you imagine a family member being killed while walking across the street and the negligent driver gets a $5000 fine and a 90-day license suspension?

Accidents can happen even for careful drivers,  but when someone is careless texting while driving or drunk driving and injuring or killing someone that is almost like pre-meditated in my opinion!

We all have lived with our smartphones for years now and we all know NEVER text when driving! We also know getting behind the wheel after a drink is NEVER okay!

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Shelly Baldwin, director of the Washington State Traffic Commission, said in a news release that the law was part of ongoing efforts to increase traffic safety.

“By focusing on protecting our most vulnerable road users, we’re sending a clear message that when you’re the biggest and the fastest, you need to be the safest, too,” Baldwin said in the release. “Everyone has a right to safe passage on our roads, whether they’re in a car, on a bike or on foot.”

Let's make it a New Years Resolution this year to be extra careful of vulnerable road users and keep a good eye out to keep everyone safe!