SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5078
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Transportation, February 13, 2007
Title: An act relating to approaching stationary emergency vehicles or police vehicles.
Brief Description: Implementing rules for drivers when approaching stationary emergency vehicles and police vehicles on highways having less than four lanes.
Sponsors: Senators Honeyford and Kline.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/07/07, 2/13/07 [DPS].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5078 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Marr, Vice Chair; Murray, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey, Clements, Delvin, Eide, Holmquist, Kastama, Kauffman, Kilmer, Pflug and Spanel.
Staff: Dory Nicpon (786-7321)
Background: Current law requires that on highways with at least four lanes, two lanes of which
are for traffic traveling in a single direction, drivers approaching a stationary emergency vehicle
with a siren or flashing lights must proceed with caution, and if reasonable, yield the right-of-way
by making a lane change or moving away from the emergency vehicle. If changing lanes would
be unreasonable or unsafe, the driver must proceed with caution and reduce speed.
Current law requires that vehicles be driven on the right side of the roadway, except under
specified circumstances such as when passing or on a one-way roadway. No vehicle may pass
on the left side of the roadway unless authorized by statute, provided however, that the left side
of the roadway must be free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance for the overtaking
vehicle to pass without interfering with other vehicles or coming within 200 feet of approaching
traffic.
Summary of Bill: On highways of less than four lanes, drivers approaching a stationary
emergency vehicle with siren or flashing lights must proceed with caution, reduce speed, and if
reasonable and safe, yield the right-of-way by passing to the left.
The circumstances under which a vehicle may be driven on the left side of a roadway is expanded
to include when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle upon a highway of three or fewer
lanes. The circumstances under which a vehicle may pass another vehicle on the left side of the
roadway is expanded to include when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with a siren
or flashing lights, provided however, that the left side of the roadway must be free of oncoming
traffic for a sufficient distance for the overtaking vehicle to pass without interfering with other
vehicles or coming within 200 feet of approaching traffic.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED SUBSTITUTE AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Transportation): Stationary tow trucks using red lights and emergency assistance vehicles using warning lights are added to the list of vehicles to which motorists must yield the right-of-way.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill addresses an important safety issue. It will change motorist behavior, save lives, and reduce accidents.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Honeyford, prime sponsor; Captain Jeff DeVere, Washington State Patrol; Dave Overstreet, American Automobile Association of Washington; Ted Trepanier, Washington State Department of Transportation; Stu Halsan, Towing and Recovery Association.