AN ACT Relating to highway speed limits; and amending RCW 46.61.405 and 46.61.410.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. Section 2, chapter 16, Laws of 1963 as last amended by section 34, chapter 151, Laws of 1977 ex. sess. and RCW 46.61.405 are each amended to read as follows:

Whenever the secretary of transportation shall determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that any maximum speed hereinbefore set forth is greater than is reasonable or safe with respect to a state highway under the conditions found to exist at any intersection or upon any other part of the state highway system or at state ferry terminals, or that a general reduction of any maximum speed ((~~hereinbefore~~)) set forth ((~~would aid in the conservation of energy resources~~)) in RCW 46.61.400 is necessary in order to comply with a national maximum speed limit, the secretary may determine and declare a reasonable and safe lower maximum limit or a lower maximum limit which will ((~~reasonably conserve energy resources~~)) comply with a national maximum speed limit, for any state highway, the entire state highway system, or any portion thereof, which shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected. The secretary may also fix and regulate the speed of vehicles on any state highway within the maximum speed limit allowed by this chapter for special occasions including, but not limited to, local parades and other special events. Any such maximum speed limit may be declared to be effective at all times or at such times as are indicated upon the said signs; and differing limits may be established for different times of day, different types of vehicles, varying weather conditions, and other factors bearing on safe speeds, which shall be effective (a) when posted upon appropriate fixed or variable signs or (b) if a maximum limit is established for auto stages which is lower than the limit for automobiles, the auto stage speed limit shall become effective thirty days after written notice thereof is mailed in the manner provided in subsection (4) of RCW 46.61.410, as now or hereafter amended.

Sec. 2. Section 3, chapter 16, Laws of 1963 as last amended by section 35, chapter 151, Laws of 1977 ex. sess. and RCW 46.61.410 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) (a) Subject to subsection (2) ((~~below~~)) of this section the secretary may increase the maximum speed limit on any highway or portion thereof to not more than seventy miles per hour in accordance with the design speed thereof (taking into account all safety elements included therein), or whenever the secretary determines upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that such greater speed is reasonable and safe under the circumstances existing on such part of the highway.

(b) If the federal government increases the national maximum speed limit to at least sixty-five miles per hour, and subject to subsection (2) of this section, the secretary of transportation shall forthwith increase to that same speed the maximum speed limit on any highway or portion thereof then posted at fifty-five miles per hour, if such limit had been established for that highway or portion thereof in order to comply with the former national maximum speed limit.

(c) The greater maximum limit ((~~so determined~~)) established under (a) or (b) of this subsection shall be effective((,)) when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected, or if a maximum limit is established for auto stages which is lower than the limit for automobiles, the auto stage speed limit shall become effective thirty days after written notice thereof is mailed in the manner provided in subsection (4) of this section.

(d) Such maximum speed limit may be declared to be effective at all times or at such times as are indicated upon said signs or in the case of auto stages, as indicated in said written notice; and differing limits may be established for different times of day, different types of vehicles, varying weather conditions, and other factors bearing on safe speeds, which shall be effective when posted upon appropriate fixed or variable signs or if a maximum limit is established for auto stages which is lower than the limit for automobiles, the auto stage speed limit shall become effective thirty days after written notice thereof is mailed in the manner provided in subsection (4) of this section.

(2) The maximum speed limit for vehicles over ten thousand pounds gross weight and vehicles in combination except auto stages shall not exceed sixty miles per hour and may be established at a lower limit by the secretary as provided in RCW 46.61.405((~~, as now or hereafter amended~~)).

(3) The word "trucks" used by the department on signs giving notice of maximum speed limits ((~~shall~~)) means vehicles over ten thousand pounds gross weight and all vehicles in combination except auto stages.

(4) Whenever the secretary ((~~shall~~)) establishes maximum speed limits for auto stages lower than the maximum limits for automobiles, the secretary shall cause to be mailed notice thereof to each auto transportation company holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Washington utilities and transportation commission. The notice shall be mailed to the chief place of business within the state of Washington of each auto transportation company or if none then its chief place of business without the state of Washington.