Bipartisan legislation sponsored recently by U.S. Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH) would require states to set aside certain funds to carry out highway safety improvement projects aimed at reducing the number of injuries and fatalities at high-risk pedestrian crossings.
“The Columbus metro region has seen an explosion in population growth, but unfortunately our transportation and pedestrian infrastructure has not kept up,” Rep. Carey said. “Our legislation will make our roadways safer for children and families by redesigning crosswalks, roundabouts, sidewalks, and other infrastructure.”
Rep. Carey on Feb. 1 introduced the Save Our Pedestrians Act of 2024, H.R. 7191, with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-OH) to help improve pedestrian safety in rural, urban, and suburban communities, according to their bill summary.
“As more pedestrians are injured and killed while walking in crosswalks and on streets without sidewalks, the need to find common-sense solutions to allow people to move around our neighborhoods without fear is critical to the quality of life in our communities,” said Rep. Sykes. “I’m proud to work alongside Congressman Carey to co-lead the Save Our Pedestrians Act. This bipartisan, common-sense legislation will reduce accidents and save lives in Ohio’s 13th District and across the country.”
If enacted, H.R. 7191 would require that 5 percent of all funding appropriated to states through the Highway Safety Improvement Program be used for projects that reduce the number of injuries and fatalities at high-risk pedestrian crossings, the summary says.
H.R. 7191 has been referred to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for consideration.