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An Act To Improve the Safety of Vulnerable Users in Traffic and To Clarify the Responsibilities of Bicyclists and Pedestrians
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  29-A MRSA §101, sub-§91-A  is enacted to read:
 
91-A.  Vulnerable user.     "Vulnerable user" means:
 
A.  A pedestrian, including a person on or within a public way engaged in work or the provision of emergency or roadside assistance;
 
B.  A person riding, guiding or leading an animal upon or within a public way;
 
C.  A person being guided by a service animal upon or within a public way;
 
D.  A person lawfully on or within a public way, crosswalk or shoulder portion of the public way who is lawfully operating, riding, using, holding or otherwise on or in any of the following devices:
 
(1) A bicycle, or a device that is an extension of a bicycle such as an extend-a-bike, a bicycle trailer or a child's bicycle seat;
 
(2) A motorized bicycle or tricycle, including an electric-assisted bicycle;
 
(3) A farm tractor or similar vehicle designed primarily for farm use;
 
(4) A skateboard;
 
(5) Roller skates;
 
(6) In-line skates;
 
(7) A scooter;
 
(8) A moped;
 
(9) A motorcycle;
 
(10) A horse-drawn carriage;
 
(11) An electric personal assistive mobility device;
 
(12) A wheelchair;
 
(13) A Segway; or
 
(14) Roller skis; or
 
E.  Any other such person a court finds and determines is similarly situated to a person listed in paragraphs A to D.
Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §1351, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 183, §1, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
 
4.  Requirements.     A driver education course approved under this subchapter must include instruction that:
 
A.  Imparts the understanding and skills necessary to operate a motor vehicle safely in a situation in which a motorcycle is sharing the road with that motor vehicle; and
 
B.  Includes at least 30 minutes of instruction that imparts the understanding and skills necessary to operate a motor vehicle safely in a situation in which a vulnerable user is sharing the road with that motor vehicle.
Sec. 3. 29-A MRSA §2056, sub-§4, as amended by PL 1999, c. 101, §1, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
 
4.  Pedestrian in a marked crosswalk.     Traffic must stop or yield the right-of-way, as set forth in subsections 4-A and 4-B, to a pedestrian crossing the way in a marked crosswalk when any part or extension of the pedestrian moves onto the way in a crosswalk with the intention to proceed. For the purpose of this subsection, "part or extension of the pedestrian" includes, but is not limited to, any part of the pedestrian's body or a stroller, wheelchair, cane, crutch, roller ski, walking pole, bicycle or leashed animal.
Sec. 4.  29-A MRSA §2056, sub-§§4-A and 4-B  are enacted to read:
 
4-A.  Duty to stop and remain stopped.     The operator of a vehicle must stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian crossing the way in a marked crosswalk when the pedestrian is:
 
A.  Proceeding in accordance with a traffic-control device as provided in section 2057 or crossing the way in a crosswalk; or
 
B.  In any of the following locations:
 
(1) The lane in which the operator's vehicle is traveling;
 
(2) The lane adjacent to the lane in which the operator's vehicle is traveling;
 
(3) The lane into which the operator's vehicle is turning;
 
(4) A lane adjacent to the lane into which the operator's vehicle is turning if the operator is making a turn at an intersection that does not have a traffic-control device under which a pedestrian may proceed as provided under section 2057; or
 
(5) Less than 6 feet from the lane into which the operator's vehicle is turning, if the operator is making a turn at an intersection that has a traffic-control device under which a pedestrian may proceed as provided under section 2057.
 
For the purpose of this subsection, a bicycle lane or part of a way is considered to be part of a lane adjacent to the lane into which the driver's vehicle is turning.
 
4-B.  Duty to yield.     A bicyclist, roller skier or other nonmotorized traffic must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the way in a marked crosswalk who is proceeding in accordance with a traffic-control device as provided in section 2057 or who is proceeding without a traffic-control device in operation. For purposes of this subsection, "yield the right-of-way" means to slow or stop to avoid colliding with or causing other harm to a pedestrian.
Sec. 5. 29-A MRSA §2057, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
An operator or a person riding a bicycle shall obey a traffic-control device, unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer. A traffic-control device conforming to the requirements for these devices is presumed to comply with this chapter.
Sec. 6. 29-A MRSA §2057, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
 
7. Stop signs.   Unless directed to proceed by a law enforcement officer or traffic control device, an operator of a vehicle or a person riding a bicycle approaching a stop sign shall stop and:
 
A. Yield the right-of-way to a vehicle that has entered the intersection or that is approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard; and
 
B. Having yielded, an operator may proceed. All other operators approaching the intersection shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle so proceeding.
Sec. 7. 29-A MRSA §2057, sub-§10, as amended by PL 2007, c. 348, §21, is further amended to read:
 
10. Failure to yield; criminal offense.   A person commits a Class E crime if the person operates a vehicle past a yield sign and collides with a vehicle, person riding a bicycle or pedestrian proceeding on the intersecting way.
Sec. 8. 29-A MRSA §2057, sub-§10-A, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 348, §22, is amended to read:
 
10-A. Failure to yield; traffic infraction.   A person commits a traffic infraction if the person operates a vehicle or a bicycle past a yield sign and fails to yield the right-of-way to a vehicle, person riding a bicycle or pedestrian proceeding on the intersecting way.
Sec. 9. 29-A MRSA §2059, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
§ 2059.One-way road
On a public way posted for one-way traffic, unless directed to proceed by a law enforcement officer or traffic control device, a vehicle may be driven or a bicycle ridden only in the direction designated.
Sec. 10. 29-A MRSA §2063, sub-§5, as amended by PL 2009, c. 484, §5, is further amended to read:
 
5. Rights and duties.  ASubject to the laws expressly applicable to bicycles, scooters and roller skis, including, but not limited to, this section and chapter 20, a person riding a bicycle or scooter or operating roller skis on a way has the rights and is subject to the duties applicable to the operator of a vehicle under this chapter, except as to:provisions that by their express terms only apply to motor vehicles or by their nature can have no application to bicycles, scooters or roller skis.
 
A.  Special regulations; and
 
B.  Provisions in this Title that by their nature can have no application.
Sec. 11. 29-A MRSA §2063, sub-§7, as amended by PL 2013, c. 482, §2, is further amended to read:
 
7. Penalties.   A person 17 years of age or over who violates this section commits a traffic infractionthe laws expressly applicable to bicyclists, including, but not limited to, this section and chapter 20, or who violates sections 2056, 2057 or 2059, commits a traffic infraction for which a fine of not less than $25 and not more than $250 may be adjudged. A person under 17 years of age is not subject to a fine under this section.
Sec. 12. 29-A MRSA §2070, sub-§1-A, as amended by PL 2013, c. 241, §5, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
 
1-A.  Passing bicycle or roller skier.     An operator of a motor vehicle that is passing a bicyclist or roller skier proceeding in the same direction:
 
A.  Shall pass to the left at a safe distance and may not return to the right until safely clear of the bicyclist or roller skier;
 
B.  Shall exercise due care by taking into consideration the speed and size of the operator's motor vehicle, all traffic, the surface and width of the way and other conditions then existing and leaving a reasonable and proper distance between the motor vehicle and the bicyclist or roller skier, but not less than 3 feet, while the motor vehicle is passing the bicyclist or roller skier; and
 
C.  May pass a bicyclist or roller skier traveling in the same direction in a no-passing zone only when it is safe to do so.
 
The collision of a motor vehicle with a person operating a bicycle or roller skis is prima facie evidence of a violation of this subsection.
Sec. 13.  29-A MRSA §2120  is enacted to read:
§ 2120. Vulnerable user law; prohibitions
 
1.  Definitions.     As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
 
A.  "Operate" means to drive a motor vehicle on a public way with the motor running, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic light or a stop sign or otherwise stationary. "Operate" does not include when the operator has pulled the motor vehicle over to the side of, or off, a public way and has halted with or without the motor running in a location where the motor vehicle can safely remain stationary.
 
B.  "Shoulder" means that portion of a public way contiguous with the travel lane portion of the public way.
 
2.  Prohibitions.     The following actions by the operator of a motor vehicle are prohibited.
 
A.  A person may not operate a motor vehicle in a careless or distracted manner that causes serious physical injury or death to a vulnerable user.
 
B.  A person may not:
 
(1) Physically assault, attempt to physically assault or threaten to physically assault a vulnerable user based on, in whole or in part, that vulnerable user's status as a vulnerable user;
 
(2) Harass or taunt, either orally or using a vehicle or other object, a vulnerable user because of, in whole or in part, that vulnerable user's status as a vulnerable user;
 
(3) Distract or attempt to distract a vulnerable user because of, in whole or in part, that vulnerable user's status as a vulnerable user;
 
(4) Force or attempt to force a vulnerable user off a public way. This subparagraph does not apply to an authorized emergency vehicle operated in response to, but not returning from, a call or fire alarm or operated in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law when the vehicle is emitting a visual signal using an emergency light and an audible signal using a bell or siren;
 
(5) Pass a vulnerable user at an unsafe distance;
 
(6) Fail to stop for or yield to a vulnerable user walking or running along the roadway, crossing the roadway or using a public sidewalk, in order to intimidate or injure the vulnerable user;
 
(7) Open the door of any motor vehicle with intent to strike, injure or interfere with the safe and lawful travel of a vulnerable user; or
 
(8) Place dangerous materials or substances such as glass, oil, sand, debris or other items on any portion of a public way with the intention of interfering with the safe and lawful travel of a vulnerable user.
 
3.  Penalties.     The following penalties apply to a violation of this section.
 
A.  A person who violates this section commits a traffic infraction for which a fine of not less than $50 but not more than $250 may be adjudged.
 
B.  A person who violates this section after previously having been adjudicated as violating this section within a 3-year period commits a traffic infraction for which a fine of not less than $500 may be adjudged, and the Secretary of State shall suspend the license of that person without right to hearing. The minimum periods of license suspension are:
 
(1) Thirty days, if the person has 2 adjudications for a violation of this section within a 3-year period;
 
(2) Sixty days, if the person has 3 adjudications for a violation of this section within a 3-year period; and
 
(3) Ninety days, if the person has 4 or more adjudications for a violation of this section within a 3-year period.
 
For the purposes of this paragraph, an adjudication has occurred within a 3-year period if the date of the new conduct is within 3 years of the date of a docket entry of adjudication of a violation of this section.
 
4.  Nonexclusivity.     The remedies provided by the provisions of this section are in addition to all other remedies provided by law; this section may not be construed to preclude an aggrieved person or the State from pursuing any other remedy provided by law and does not supersede or limit any other such remedies.
Sec. 14. Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause. In the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, in the title headnote, the words "motor vehicles" are amended to read "motor vehicles and traffic" and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or republishing the statutes.
 
SUMMARY
This bill amends the motor vehicle laws as follows.
1. It creates a vulnerable user law to protect people on public ways who are not in motor vehicles. A "vulnerable user" is defined as a pedestrian, a person performing emergency work or a person riding or using a nonmotorized device or certain motorized devices such as a motorcycle, scooter, Segway or electric personal assistive mobility device. A motorist who assaults, attempts to assault, taunts or distracts a vulnerable user, because that person is a vulnerable user, commits a traffic infraction and is subject to the same penalties as a person who texts while operating a motor vehicle.
2. It requires a driver education course to contain at least 30 minutes of instruction to impart the understanding and skills necessary to operate a motor vehicle safely in a situation in which a vulnerable user is sharing the road with that motor vehicle.
3. It amends the law regarding pedestrians in crosswalks to require a motor vehicle to stop and remain stopped when a pedestrian or an extension of a pedestrian is in the lane, including a bicycle lane, in which the motor vehicle is traveling or a lane adjacent to that lane. Nonmotorized traffic is required to yield to such a pedestrian.
4. It specifies that a person riding a bicycle is required to obey traffic control devices such as lights, stop signs and yield signs.
5. It clarifies the law regarding travel down one-way streets to allow travel against the direction indicated when directed by a law enforcement officer or traffic control device.
6. It specifies that a person riding a bicycle or scooter or operating on roller skis has the same rights and duties as a person operating a motor vehicle pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, chapter 19, which deals with the operation of a vehicle, except for laws that expressly apply to bicycles, scooters and roller skis or the law expressly only applies to motor vehicles.
7. It expands the provisions of law for which a violation by a person over 17 years of age riding a bicycle or scooter or operating on roller skis is a traffic infraction.
8. It specifies that the operator of a motor vehicle passing a bicyclist or roller skier proceeding in the same direction must exercise due care by taking into consideration the speed of the motor vehicle and other conditions and leaving a reasonable and proper distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle or roller skier, but not less than 3 feet, while the motor vehicle is passing the bicycle or roller skier.