Legislation designed to make roads safer

There was some confusion in Friday's article in the Bonner County Daily Bee regarding two of the bills I am carrying for law enforcement. I would like to clarify a few points.

1. Senate Bill 1058 deals with bicycles. I simply clarifies the existing law to include that bicyclists must stop at red lights and wait for the light to change unless they are turning right. If they are turning right, they can stop, yield to traffic and proceed. If they are turning left onto a one-way street they may also stop yield to traffic and proceed. The law is currently vague and not interpreted in that manner by some bicyclists.

2. Senate Bill 1057 clarifies existing law regarding pedestrians in crosswalks. It states that the driver of the vehicle must wait for the pedestrian in the crosswalk to clear your lane and any adjacent lane before proceeding.

These bills are both designed to make our roads safer. Law enforcement officials from across the state got together and came up with these changes.

In helping them to get the bills drafted, I am doing the job I was sent to Boise to do. I would hope that this simple explanation will make things clearer for Mr. Fury who has not taken the opportunity to read the bills before objecting to their worthiness.

SEN. JOYCE BROADSWORD

Sagle