Reports from Olympia are that House Bill 1793 is in danger. The bill would authorize local jurisdictions to do use camera enforcement to keep motorists from illegally blocking intersections, crosswalks, and transit lanes. Authored by Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, the bill made it out of committee and onto the floor calendar, but it’s far from certain that it has the votes. The cutoff for legislation this session is fast approaching: HB 1793 needs to be called to a vote by 5pm tomorrow (Wednesday, March 13th).
Please contact your representatives to let them know you value safety, transit priority, and climate action and that you expect them to put those priorities before the desire of motorists to be break traffic laws with impunity. Transportation Choices Coalition has provided a template for emailing your legislators, so it’s quick and easy. It takes just seconds. Help put this beleaguered but essential bill over the top.
Local disability rights group Rooted in Rights have been powerful advocates for legislation to prevent blocking the box, a term for when a car obstructs the crosswalk rather than waiting behind the box. Their video has illustrated how bad the problem has gotten in Seattle and how challenging the situation we’ve created for disabled pedestrians is.
