Rep. Cairns files bill in North Carolina House to increase penalties for failing to yield to blind pedestrians

A new bill filed by State Rep. Cairns seeks to enhance safety measures for blind pedestrians by increasing penalties for motorists who do not yield the right-of-way at crossings, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 275 on March 4 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Failure to Yield Penalties.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill seeks to increase the penalty for failing to yield the right-of-way to blind or partially blind pedestrians in North Carolina. It stipulates that at any crossing or intersection not regulated by traffic-control signals, motorists must stop if a blind pedestrian extends a white cane or is accompanied by a guide dog. Vehicles must remain stationary until the pedestrian has completed crossing. If traffic signals are present, vehicles must stop if a blind pedestrian is already partly across when the signals change. Violators are guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. The bill becomes effective Dec. 1, 2026, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr. proposed the most bills (18) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Cairns graduated from the University of Georgia with a BBA.

Cairns, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 13th House district, replacing previous state representative Patricia McElraft.