Congress mandates 5% of highway funds for pedestrian safety
H.R. 9424 — Save Our Pedestrians Act of 2026 · Filed by Mike Carey (R-OH) · 1 cosponsor · Introduced Jun 24, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill requires states to spend at least 5% of certain federal highway funds on safety improvements at pedestrian crossings where pedestrians are frequently injured or killed. States identify which crossings qualify in consultation with local governments, and the requirement applies starting in fiscal year 2027.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole operative mechanism is a mandatory spending set-aside for pedestrian safety improvements. It is a straightforward public-health measure with no private carve-outs, tax provisions, or deregulatory elements.
What the text implies
- The 5% set-aside reduces discretionary state flexibility in highway spending; states may need to reprogram existing projects or seek additional funding for non-pedestrian highway work.
- Definition of 'high-risk pedestrian crossing' is state-determined in consultation with local government, creating potential for inconsistent application across states and possible disputes over which crossings qualify.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
construction and engineering firms performing pedestrian safety improvements; traffic signal and safety equipment manufacturers