SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 3001

As of February 17, 2010

Title: An act relating to bicycle and pedestrian safety education in traffic schools.

Brief Description: Addressing bicycle and pedestrian safety education in traffic schools.

Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Klippert, Liias, Wallace, Campbell and Simpson).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/10/10, 97-0.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/17/10.

Staff: Wendy Malkin (786-7434)

Background: Any city or town and the county in which it is located is authorized to establish a traffic school. A traffic school must be established for the purpose of educating its students on the lawful and safe operation of motor vehicles, including instruction on rules of the road and the limitation of persons, vehicles, bicycles, and roads under varying conditions. A court within a county that has an established traffic school may order an individual to attend the school as part of a sentence for a traffic violation conviction or as a condition on the suspension or deferral of such a sentence.

In addition to traffic schools, Washington has traffic safety education courses administered by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and a Driver Training School Program administered by The Department of Licensing (DOL). A person at least 16 years of age but less than 18 years of age is eligible to receive an intermediate driver's license if the applicant meets certain conditions, including passing either a traffic safety education course or a driver training school course. Both types of courses are required to include curriculum on driving safely among bicyclists and pedestrians.

The DOL has approved curriculum on driving safely among bicyclists and pedestrians for its driver training schools, and the curriculum is available on its website.

Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.

Summary of Bill (Proposed Amendment): A traffic school must include, as part of its curriculum on rules of the road, the curriculum for driving safely among bicyclists and pedestrians that has been approved by the DOL for driver training schools or traffic schools. This curriculum requirement must not exceed 30 minutes of the class or course.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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 will improve safety on Washington roads without any cost to the state. There are over 400 fatalities or life-altering injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists every year in Washington. It is important for drivers to know that they must take any precautions necessary to avoid injury to pedestrians and bicyclists. The DOL has already approved curriculum materials that are paid for by the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, and DOL has been using the materials in its driving training schools for two years. The traffic schools can use these materials for no expense. The materials, which are used in several states, include a short video, a quiz, and discussion.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Klippert, prime sponsor; Brian Faller, Bicycle Alliance of Washington.