Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

E2SSB 5188

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.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Second Substitute Bill

Requires all stoplights to have yellow change intervals that are at least as long as those identified in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
Establishes requirements for local jurisdictions using automated traffic safety cameras, including conducting an analysis of proposed camera locations, posting annual reports on traffic accident rates where a camera is located, and complying with certain signage requirements.

Background:

Under current law, local governments may use automated traffic safety cameras to detect stoplight, railroad crossing, or school speed zone violations. Use of the cameras is restricted to two-arterial intersections, railroad crossings, and school speed zones. Prior to use, the local legislative authority must adopt an ordinance allowing their use. All locations where an automated traffic safety camera is used must be clearly marked by placing signs in locations that clearly indicate to a driver that he or she is entering a zone where traffic laws are enforced by an automated traffic safety camera. The cameras may only take pictures of the vehicle and vehicle license plate while an infraction is occurring, and must not reveal the face of the driver or passengers. Infractions detected through the use of cameras are not part of the registered owner's driving record. Additionally, infractions must be processed like parking infractions, and fines issued for infractions may not exceed the amount of fines issued for other local parking infractions.

The federal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) defines standards to install and maintain traffic control devices on all public streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public traffic. It is adopted in regulation by the Federal Highway Administration. It is considered to be both a legal and an engineering document. State law requires the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to adopt uniform standards for traffic control devices installed along state highways. Traffic control devices on county roads must conform to these adopted standards, and those on city streets must conform to the extent possible.

Summary of Bill:

Findings are made and the Legislature's intent is declared. The Legislature finds that it is in the interest of the driving public to continue to provide for a uniform system of traffic control signals, including provisions relative to yellow light durations, fine amounts for certain traffic control signal violations, and signage and reporting requirements at certain traffic control signal locations. The Legislature further finds that a uniform system of traffic control signals greatly enhances the public's confidence in a safe and equitable highway network. Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to harmonize and make uniform certain legal provisions relating to traffic control signals.

All control signals (stoplights) must have yellow light change intervals that are at least as long as the minimum intervals identified in the MUTCD. If an automated traffic safety camera is used to detect stoplight violations, it must be installed on a stoplight that has a yellow change interval duration that meets the standards identified in the MUTCD, and the yellow change interval duration may not be reduced after placement of the camera. The fine issued for a stoplight violation that is detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera may not exceed the monetary penalty for a violation of the requirement to follow official traffic control devices.

Changes are also made to the requirements for use of automated traffic safety cameras. Local legislative authorities must prepare an analysis of locations where automated traffic safety cameras are proposed to be located before allowing for their use and before adding additional cameras or relocating any existing camera to a new location. Local jurisdictions are also required to post annual reports regarding traffic accident rates where a camera is located and the number of infractions issued for each camera. Signs indicating the location of a camera must be posted at least 30 days before activation of the camera and signs for camera locations must follow the MUTCD, as adopted by the WSDOT. Additionally, cities and counties must consider installing cameras that minimize the impact of the flash on drivers.