Iowa Is Closing ‘Loophole’ to Make Crosswalks Safer for Everyone

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a crosswalk is defined as:

'A specially paved or marked path for pedestrians crossing a street or road.'

We know it as that painted area where you should be able to get from one side of the street to the other with a relative expectation of safety.

Most states have laws on the books that impose strict fines for drivers who don't yield to pedestrians who are in said crosswalks.

But who exactly is considered a pedestrian?

Up until now in Iowa, a pedestrian was only defined as 'people on foot'.

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That's about to change.

House File 2568 has made its way through the Iowa Legislature and now has the signature of Governor Kim Reynolds, meaning it is now state law.

The new Iowa law protects all pedestrians while in a crosswalk, expanding the definition of a pedestrian to now include 'a person afoot or a person using a pedestrian conveyance.'

That includes items like bicycles, strollers, and wheelchairs.