Relating to the right-of-way of pedestrians and other sidewalk users.
Summary
SB 1013 would amend the Texas Transportation Code to expand and clarify right-of-way rules when a vehicle is emerging from or entering an alley, driveway, or building in a business or residence district. The bill requires the driver to stop before moving onto a sidewalk or the sidewalk area crossing the alley or driveway, yield to pedestrians and defined “sidewalk users” to avoid a collision, and then yield to approaching vehicles when entering the roadway.
The bill also adds a definition of “sidewalk user” to include people lawfully operating bicycles, motor-assisted scooters, electric personal assistive mobility devices, skateboards, roller skates, and similar devices on a sidewalk. This makes the statute explicitly protect not only pedestrians but also other vulnerable sidewalk users in these crossing situations.
Impact
SB 1013 would modify Section 545.256 of the Transportation Code and broaden the class of persons protected by right-of-way rules at alley, driveway, and building crossings. It would affect drivers entering or exiting private access points in business and residential districts, as well as pedestrians and people using bicycles, scooters, skateboards, roller skates, and similar devices on sidewalks. The bill does not create a new offense, but it clarifies existing duties to stop and yield, which could influence traffic enforcement and liability determinations in collision cases.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill was generally well received and advanced with strong support, though not unanimously. It passed the Senate on third reading by a 28-3 vote after procedural votes of 25-6, indicating broad bipartisan acceptance of the safety-focused changes. The bill’s placement on the House General State Calendar indicates it continued to move forward in the legislative process.
Contention
The main policy issue is the scope of protection at driveway and alley crossings and whether the law should expressly include non-pedestrian sidewalk users. Supporters appear to favor clearer safety rules for pedestrians, cyclists, and micromobility users, while any opposition likely centers on concerns about added duties for drivers or the breadth of the new “sidewalk user” definition. The recorded votes show some dissent, but the bill does not appear to have generated major controversy in the available materials.