Senate Bill 573 would require drivers to stop for a pedestrian who raises a hand and waves that they plan to cross the street.

The bill would replace the current law, which essentially states that a pedestrian has to be stepping into the street before a motorist is required to give right-of-way.

A wave to someone going 40 mph? Talk about a false sense of security.

In real life, too many potential misunderstandings exist. We list just a few:

* People waving to friends;

* Dog-walkers holding high leashes to shift sides with an antic pooch;

* Telephone users holding cell phones;

* People with disabilities who cannot wave;

* People trying to cross in poorly lit conditions.

Then consider people who don’t live in Oregon. Visitors from out of state won’t know they have to wave. They’ll step into the lane, and get hit.

How do you measure a raised arm against some other unintended or ambiguous gesture along a busy street?

Safety is paramount; this newspaper has called for increased driver pedestrian awareness, and concerted pedestrian caution. We have also praised the practice or “Crosswalk Blitz” campaigns by police as a way to draw attention to the problem and perhaps change habits and attitudes.

At least one lawmaker argues that the new law would improve communications. We disagree. Too many possibilities exist for confusion — possibly of a tragic nature.

Worsening the problem is that the new law would also apply to intersections where there are no crosswalks. Talk about a dangerous move.