Washington State House of Representatives |
BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
|
SSB 5457
Brief Description: Posting hazards to motorcycles.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Highways & Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Horn, Haugen, Oke, Johnson, Hargrove, B. Sheldon, Roach, Zarelli, Sheahan, Jacobsen, Stevens, Schmidt, Rossi, Eide, Kline, T. Sheldon, West, Shin and Rasmussen).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
• Requires that signs be posted when road construction, repair or maintenance presents a special hazard to motorcyclists. |
• Requires the Department of Transportation to adopt rules for a uniform sign for the purpose of warning motorcyclists of hazards related to construction, repair, or maintenance, including at least the language "Motorcycles use extreme caution." |
• Provides that if funding for the provisions of this bill is not provided by June 30, 2003, in the omnibus transportation appropriations act, this act is null and void. |
Hearing Date: 3/31/03
Staff: Jill Satran (786-7315).
Background:
Under current law, when construction, repair, or maintenance work on public highways, county roads, streets or bridges interferes with the normal and established mode of travel, the location must be posted with signs, flagman or both. This requirement applies to contractors, firms, political subdivisions, and other agencies performing work on commonly traveled thoroughfares. Signage used must be consistent with the provisions found in the state Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
Summary of Bill:
If construction, repair or maintenance work on public highways, county roads, streets or bridges, or other thoroughfare commonly traveled includes or uses grooved pavement, abrupt lane edges, steel plates, or gravel or earth surfaces, the work zone must be posted with signs stating the condition and must warn motorcyclists of the potential hazard.
The Department of Transportation is required to adopt by rule a uniform sign or signs for this purpose, including at a minimum, the language "MOTORCYCLISTS USE EXTREME CAUTION."
If funding for this purpose is not provided by June 30, 2003, in the omnibus transportation appropriations act, the provisions of this bill are null and void.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Preliminary fiscal note available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.