87R17937 JTS-D
 
  By: Israel H.B. No. 443
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 443:
 
  By:  Ortega C.S.H.B. No. 443
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to requiring the operator of a vehicle to stop and yield
  the right-of-way to a pedestrian.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 544.007(b) and (c), Transportation
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  An operator of a vehicle facing a circular green signal
  may proceed straight or turn right or left unless a sign prohibits
  the turn. The operator shall, while the signal is exhibited:
               (1)  yield the right-of-way to other vehicles [and to
  pedestrians] lawfully in the intersection [or an adjacent
  crosswalk] when the signal is exhibited; and
               (2)  stop and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians
  lawfully in the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk.
         (c)  An operator of a vehicle facing a green arrow signal,
  displayed alone or with another signal, may cautiously enter the
  intersection to move in the direction permitted by the arrow or
  other indication shown simultaneously. The operator shall stop and
  yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian lawfully in an adjacent
  crosswalk and shall yield the right-of-way to other traffic
  lawfully using the intersection.
         SECTION 2.  Section 552.002(b), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  A pedestrian facing a "Walk" signal may proceed across a
  roadway in the direction of the signal, and the operator of a
  vehicle shall stop and yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian.
         SECTION 3.  Sections 552.003(a) and (b), Transportation
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The operator of a vehicle shall stop and yield the
  right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing a roadway in a crosswalk if:
               (1)  no traffic control signal is in place or in
  operation; and
               (2)  the pedestrian is:
                     (A)  on the half of the roadway in which the
  vehicle is traveling; or
                     (B)  approaching so closely from the opposite half
  of the roadway as to be in danger.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a pedestrian may not
  suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and proceed into a
  crosswalk in the path of a vehicle so close that it is impossible
  for the vehicle operator to stop and yield.
         SECTION 4.  Section 552.006(c), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  The operator of a vehicle emerging from or entering an
  alley, building, or private road or driveway shall stop and yield
  the right-of-way to a pedestrian approaching on a sidewalk
  extending across the alley, building entrance or exit, road, or
  driveway.
         SECTION 5.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
  An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
  governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,
  and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For
  purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the
  effective date of this Act if any element of the offense was
  committed before that date.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.