House panel backs measure on right-of-way for disabled

A bill prohibiting drivers from entering an intersection when a blind or disabled person is crossing the street advanced out of the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday.

The person would have to be presenting visual cues to the driver to indicate that he or she had a disability. Such clues would include a cane, seeing-eye dog or pedestrian vehicle.

"They have to be pretty obviously (disabled)," said Col. Scott Duncan of the Utah Highway Patrol. Duncan said he was surprised the law was not already on the books.

HB96, sponsored by Rep. Brad Daw, R-Orem, will now go to the House floor for a full debate.