Bonamici, Torres Introduce Legislation to Keep Pedestrians & Vulnerable Road Users Safe

Washington, D.C. — Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) announced today the introduction of the Pedestrian Hazard, Awareness and Safety Expansion (PHASE) Act to address rising pedestrian accidents and fatalities. 

“Our country has experienced a significant increase in pedestrian fatalities, making us an outlier among peer nations. This is a personal issue for me—earlier this year my husband and I were struck by a car as we walked across the street in a marked crosswalk with the light. We recovered, but too many people are not as fortunate. I’m grateful to join my colleague Congresswoman Norma Torres in introducing the PHASE Act, which will direct needed federal resources to research and implement road safety strategies to prevent deaths and make streets safer for drivers and pedestrians,” said Congresswoman Bonamici.

“Whether Americans are choosing to walk, bike, or even take a scooter to their next stop, they deserve the peace of mind and public policy forethought from Congress that we take their safety seriously. With rising pedestrian accidents and fatalities in California and across the nation, our current transportation infrastructure is clearly inadequate at keeping bike and pedestrian road users safe.. My PHASE Act is an important step toward developing stronger pedestrian safety policies and making our roads safer for all vulnerable road users,” said Congresswoman Torres.

A report released this year found the number of pedestrians who were struck and killed by vehicles in 2022 was the highest it has been since 1981. To reverse this dangerous trend, the

PHASE Act:

• Directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to devise solutions to better equip drivers and protect pedestrians, while ensuring its recommendations do not distract drivers.
• Directs the Department of Transportation to conduct a study on developing physical alternatives to better protect pedestrians.
• Creates a grant program for cities and municipalities to implement pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

The PHASE Act is cosponsored by Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and is supported by the League of Conservation Voters, Safe States, League of American Bicyclists, California Bicycle Coalition, and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

“Vulnerable road user safety, which encompasses all road users outside the vehicle, is critically important and urgently in need of improvement. Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities are at the highest levels in decades. Proven solutions must be advanced including roadway safety infrastructure upgrades and vehicle safety technologies that prevent or mitigate crashes. We commend Congresswoman Torres for her focus on enhancing safe roadway travel for all with the introduction of the PHASE Act,” said Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

The full text of the bill can be found here.