Vermont House Bill H0100

Vermont 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23
• Refer: 1/25/23

Caption

An act relating to pedestrian safety

Impact

In addition to permitting pedestrian crossing signage, H0100 also proposes amendments to speed limit regulations on state highways. It would empower the legislative body of a municipality to establish speed limits between 25 and 50 miles per hour based on engineering and traffic investigations. This could lead to more localized speed limit adjustments, allowing for safer urban environments, especially in areas that experience high foot traffic, such as downtown districts and village centers.

Summary

House Bill H0100 aims to address pedestrian safety by allowing municipalities in Vermont to install in-street pedestrian crossing signs in non-signalized crosswalks from May 1 to October 15. This initiative is designed to enhance visibility and safety for pedestrians, particularly in areas where traditional traffic signalization may not be present. The bill encourages local governance in managing pedestrian safety measures, thus empowering municipalities to tailor their approaches based on specific community needs.

Conclusion

Overall, H0100 reflects a shift towards enhancing local control over pedestrian safety while maintaining an emphasis on engineering-backed decisions for speed limits. The balance between municipal authority and state oversight will be crucial as this bill progresses through discussions and potential amendments.

Contention

There may be points of contention related to H0100, particularly around the General Assembly’s intent regarding speed limits. Specifically, there is a section that expresses the assembly's wish for the Traffic Committee to refrain from increasing speed limits in response to municipal requests unless safety hazards are evident. This stipulation may be debated among stakeholders who might argue for more flexible regulations that allow for higher speed limits under certain conditions, citing safety and traffic flow as potential factors.