Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2056, sub-§4, as amended by PL 1999, c. 101, §1, is further amended to read:

4. Pedestrians in marked crosswalks. When traffic-control devices are not in operation, an operator must yield the right- of-way to a pedestrian crossing within a marked crosswalk that traverses a way that is fewer than 4 lanes. If the crosswalk traverses a way that is at least 4 lanes, the operator must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing within a marked crosswalk when the pedestrian is on the same 1/2 of the way or approaching so closely as to be in danger.

SUMMARY

Current law requires an operator of a motor vehicle to yield to a pedestrian anywhere within a marked crosswalk. This bill maintains the current law for crosswalks on roads that are fewer than 4 lanes, but requires an operator on larger roads to yield only when the pedestrian is in the crosswalk on the same side of the road or so close to the operator's vehicle as to be in danger.