Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Transportation Committee
HB 1582
Brief Description: Prohibiting drivers from making a right turn within proximity of certain facilities.
Sponsors: Representatives Ryu, Fey, Fitzgibbon, Doglio, Reed, Berry, Alvarado, Ramel, Macri and Kloba.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Prohibits a vehicle operator facing a red light from turning right within 1,000 feet of an elementary or secondary school, a child care center, a public park or playground, a recreation center or facility, a library, a public transit center, a hospital, a senior center, or any other facility with a high level of pedestrian traffic.
  • Requires the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to develop a public awareness campaign to inform and educate the public about the prohibition of right turns on red.
Hearing Date: 2/2/23
Staff: Jennifer Harris (786-7143).
Background:

Vehicle operators facing a steady circular red signal or a red turn arrow at a controlled intersection are required to stop:

  • at a clearly marked stop line; or
  • in the absence of a stop line, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection; or
  • in the absence of a crosswalk, before entering the intersection control area.

 

Vehicle operators must then remain standing until the signal or arrow color changes. 

 

Vehicle operators facing a steady circular red signal or red right-turn arrow may, after stopping, proceed to make a right turn from a one-way or two-way street into a two-way street or into a one-way street carrying traffic in the direction of the right turn, unless a sign prohibits this movement.  Vehicle operators facing a steady circular red signal or red left-turn arrow may, after stopping, proceed to make a left turn from a one-way or two-way street into a one-way street carrying traffic in the direction of the left turn, unless a sign posted prohibits this movement.

 

Vehicle operators planning to make a turn facing a steady circular signal must remain stopped to allow other vehicles lawfully within or approaching the intersection control area to complete their movements.  Vehicle operators must also stop for pedestrians and personal delivery devices lawfully within the intersection control area.
Summary of Bill:

A vehicle driver facing a steady circular red signal or red arrow at a controlled intersection may not turn right from a one-way or two-way street into a two-way street or into a one-way street carrying traffic in direction of the right turn within 1,000 feet of:

  • an elementary or secondary school;
  • a childcare center;
  • a public park or playground;
  • a recreation center or facility;
  • a library;
  • a public transit center;
  • a hospital;
  • a senior center; or
  • any other facility with high levels of pedestrian traffic, as determined by the local jurisdiction or department of transportation.

 

Signs must be placed at any affected controlled intersection by the local jurisdiction or department of transportation.

 

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) must develop and implement a statewide public awareness campaign to educate Washingtonians about the prohibition of right turns on red through June 30, 2026.  The education campaign must include the use of public service announcements and written and digital material.  The WTSC and the Washington State Department of Transportation must develop the public awareness campaign using available resources, including federal and other grant funding that may become available for this purpose.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2024.