Section 1

Enacts GS 20-173 making it a Class 2 misdemeanor if any person is guilty of failing to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian as required by this Article and inflicting serious injury to the pedestrian, unless the conduct is covered under another provision of law providing greater punishment. This section is effective December 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Section 2

Amends GS 20-88.1, concerning driver education, to require the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to develop or identify existing training courses (was, one training course) to educate individuals on both the safe operation of a motor vehicle in a “highway work zone,” as defined in GS 20-141 and when a motor vehicle operator is required to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian (was, only education on the safe operation in a highway work zone). Makes technical changes. This section is effective December 1, 2025.

Section 3

Makes conforming changes to GS 115C-215, concerning the driver education curriculum requirements, to reflect the changes made to the training course requirements in GS 20-88.1. This section is effective December 1, 2025, and applies beginning the 2026-2027 school year.

Section 4

Requires the Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles (Division), in consultation with the Department of Public Instruction, to study improving driver education curriculum with respect to its instruction on pedestrian safety. Requires the Division to provide a plan for these improvements and report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly, the chairs of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee, the chairs of the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee, and the Fiscal Research Division by January 1, 2026.