SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6084
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 of January 31, 2020
Title: An act relating to roundabouts.
Brief Description: Concerning roundabouts.
Sponsors: Senators Takko, Hobbs, Mullet and Padden.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/28/20.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Staff: Kim Johnson (786-7472)
Background: A vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island must be driven to the right of the island.
Whenever a roadway is divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, a vehicle must be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and may not be moved from the lane until the driver concludes that the movement can safely be made.
It is unlawful for any person to operate on public roadways any vehicle with an overall length, with or without load, over 40 feet, subject to the following exceptions:
a municipal transit vehicle;
an auto stage—which carries passengers or incidental baggage and freight or both, private carrier bus, school bus, or motor home with an overall length no greater than 46 feet;
an articulated auto stage with an overall length no greater than 61 feet—excluding a bike rack up to 4 feet long; and
an auto recycling carrier up to 42 feet in length manufactured prior to 2005.
It is unlawful for any person to operate on public roadways any combination of vehicles consisting of a tractor and semitrailer that has a semitrailer length over 53 feet or a combination consisting of a tractor and two trailers in which the combined length of the trailers exceeds 61 feet, with or without load, subject to certain exceptions, including specified exceptions for two trailers or semitrailers; a truck and trailer; a log truck and stinger-steered pole trailer; and vehicles transporting poles, pipe, machinery, or certain objects required for emergency public utility repair.
Federal law permits a maximum vehicle width of 8 feet on the interstate highway system, except for buses and commercial trucks, which are permitted to have a maximum vehicle width of 8.5 feet. Under state law, vehicle widths are limited to 8.5 feet on public roadways, unless a special permit is obtained for greater widths within certain maximum vehicle widths by roadway type. On two-lane roadways outside the limits of a city or town, a special permit may be obtained for vehicles with a maximum width of 14 feet.
A "semitrailer" includes every vehicle without motive power designed to be drawn by a vehicle, motor vehicle, or truck tractor, that is constructed so an appreciable part of its weight and its load rests on and is carried by another vehicle, motor vehicle, or truck tractor.
Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.
Summary of Bill (Proposed Substitute): A "roundabout" is defined as a circular intersection consisting of one or more lanes where vehicles travel counterclockwise.
The operator of certain large motor vehicles approaching and traveling through a roundabout may, with due regard for other traffic, deviate from the lane in which the operator is driving.
Motor vehicles authorized to deviate from the lane of travel to navigate a roundabout include a vehicle or combination of vehicles meeting the definition of a semitrailer, with a total length in excess of 40 feet or a total width exceeding 10 feet.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Proposed Substitute: PRO: I love roundabouts. People complain about them at first, but after they get used to using them, they see that it is better than sitting at a light or a stop sign. They really are efficient.
This bill is putting into statute some clear operational guidelines that need to be there. Over width or very long vehicles cannot navigate a roundabout without deviating from a single lane. Physics does not allow it. This bill provides relief for the operator of very wide, or a vehicle in excess of 40 feet to straddle the lanes prior to entering a roundabout and as the vehicle moves through the roundabout.
The contract logging industry thanks you for this bill. The log trucks physically cannot track in a single lane around the tight corners in a roundabout.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Dean Takko, Prime Sponsor; Jerrold Bonagofsky, Washington Contract Loggers Association; Jeff DeVere, Washington Trucking Associations.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.