BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                 C.S.S.B. 798

80R15557 JRJ-D                                                                                                       By: Wentworth

                                                                                                 Transportation & Homeland Security

                                                                                                                                            4/19/2007

                                                                                                        Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

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.

 

C.S.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

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 545.153, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (e), to set forth specific fines for a collision causing injury to or the death of a pedestrian resulting from the commission of an offense under this section (Vehicle Entering Stop or Yield Intersection).

 

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2007.