FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1114

C 192 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Extending school or playground speed zones.

Sponsors: By Representatives Hinkle, Murray, Armstrong, Priest, Boldt, Lovick, Mielke and Haigh.

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Highways & Transportation

Background:

Washington law provides for the creation of school and playground speed zones that limit traffic speed to 20 miles per hour. These speed zones may extend 300 feet from either side of a marked school or playground crosswalk when speed limit signs are clearly posted at the crosswalk, and fines for violating the speed limit in these zones are doubled. In some areas, particularly in rural communities where marked crosswalks are not provided, local authorities have established school or playground speed zones that extend from the property line in order to protect pedestrian traffic. It is not clear that statutory authority exists to allow local jurisdictions to establish these speed zones from the property line rather than a crosswalk.

Summary:

Counties, incorporated cities, and towns are authorized to create school or playground speed zones on highways bordering a marked school or playground that may extend 300 feet from the property border. Driving speed in such marked zones is limited to 20 miles per hour. The speed zones created by local jurisdictions may only include areas consistent with active school or playground use.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 96  0

Senate 48  0    (Senate amended)

House 96  0    (House concurred)

Effective: July 27, 2003