Legislators look at crosswalk safety

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - After the tragic death of a local 13-year-old boy stuck by a car on his way to school, authorities felt that crosswalk safety was an issue that needed to be addressed in this legislative session.

Now lawmakers are looking to codify laws to ensure that kids and everyone can stay safe while crossing the road.

The House Judiciary Committee held a meeting Wednesday to discuss funding for crosswalks across the state.

If passed, this would give about $10M to high-priority crosswalks and ensure that safe pathways to schools would receive first dibs on this funding, particularly in areas that have been struck by tragedy.

Experts say that counties manage and operate more than 50 percent of all roadways in the state and that this funding would provide for additional overpasses, underpasses, signage and lights.

”I happen to drop my kids off at a school where a fatality happened last year. Its...heavy on my heart and something I want to make sure that we address. This isnt just the first time, or only time that we do it, but that we continue to invest in this important issue,” said Jerimiah Rieman, Executive Director of Wyoming County Commissioner Association.

The bill has passed Committee 7 to 2.

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