SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6231

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.

Background: Under current law, drivers must take specific cautionary actions when approaching the following: (1) a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is using audible or visual emergency signals, (2) a tow truck using its red lights, (3) other vehicles providing roadside assistance using warning lights, or (4) a police vehicle properly using emergency lights.

Specifically, on a highway with four or more lanes, with at least two lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle, the driver must proceed with caution and, if reasonably safe under the conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change or moving away from the stationary authorized emergency vehicle or police vehicle. On a highway with less than four lanes, the driver must proceed with caution, reduce speed, and, if reasonably safe under the conditions, yield the right-of-way by passing to the left at a safe distance while also yielding the right-of-way to all other traveling vehicles. However, if changing lanes or moving away would be unreasonable or unsafe, the driver must proceed with due caution and reduce speed.

Failing to take the required cautionary actions when approaching stationary emergency and roadside assistance vehicles is a traffic infraction.

Summary of Bill: An emergency zone is established in the adjacent lanes of the roadway 200-feet before and after the following vehicles: (1) a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is using audible or visual emergency signals, (2) a tow truck using its red lights, (3) other vehicles providing roadside assistance using warning lights, or (4) a police vehicle properly using emergency lights. Drivers approaching an emergency zone must take the specific cautionary actions that are required under current law when approaching stationary emergency and roadside assistance vehicles, as determined by the number of established lanes on the applicable highway. Additionally, drivers may not exceed posted speed limits when driving in an emergency zone.

Failing to take the required cautionary actions in emergency zones, or speeding in an emergency zone, subjects the driver to twice the applicable monetary penalty regularly imposed. However, a traffic infraction issued for violating emergency zone restrictions is not subject to the $20 special assessment attached to most traffic infraction monetary penalties.

Persons driving in an emergency zone in such a manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger any emergency worker or property are guilty of a new crime, reckless endangerment of emergency workers. Reckless endangerment of emergency workers constitutes a gross misdemeanor. A person convicted of reckless endangerment of emergency workers must have their driving privileges suspended for 60 days.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill is a request bill from the State Patrol as an attempt to provide additional safety for emergency response workers attending to emergencies on public highways. The bill uses the highway work zones statutes as a model. This bill can serve as an educational tool for better compliance with the state's move over law that was enacted in 2007. The definition of emergency zone could use a bit more clarity as the typical driver may not be able to visualize 200 feet. Also, the new crime created (reckless endangerment of emergency workers) is very subjective. The bill also helps WSDOT, radio, and TV incident response vehicle operators. Tow truck operators also benefit under the bill. The phrase "emergency workers" should be revised to say "emergency zone workers."