BILL ANALYSIS
By: Wentworth
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
When approaching an intersection controlled by a stop sign or a yield sign, drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to other cars already in the intersection or when it would be hazardous not to yield. Currently, the penalty for failing to properly yield the right-of-way is the same regardless of whether a collision results from the violation, and if so, without regard to the severity of the collision.
S.B. 798 enhances the punishment for failing to yield the right-of-way if, as a result of the violation, a collision causing injury to or death of a pedestrian occurs.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 545.153, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (e), to provide that if it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that as a result of the commission of the offense an accident causing injury to or the death of a pedestrian occurred, the minimum fine applicable to the offense is twice the minimum fine that would otherwise be applicable to the offense and the maximum fine applicable to the offense is twice the maximum fine that would otherwise be applicable to the offense.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2007.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2007.