FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 83

                                  C 463 L 87

BYHouse Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Baugher, Prince, Grant, Lewis, Scott, Ballard, J. Williams, Jacobsen, S. Wilson, Lux, Basich, Patrick, Walk, Gallagher, Zellinsky, Haugen, Schmidt, Betrozoff, Day, Braddock, McMullen, Spanel, Rayburn, Holm, Heavey, Jesernig, P. King, Fisch, Taylor, Fuhrman, Ferguson, Bumgarner, McLean, Walker, D. Sommers, Schoon, May, Miller, Rasmussen, Winsley, Nealey, Silver, C. Smith and Unsoeld)

Including on a driver's record only accidents in which the driver was at fault.

House Committe on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

A driver who is involved in an accident that results in death or injury or $300 in property damage is required to file an accident report with the local law enforcement agency within 24 hours.  Because the accident- reporting threshold for property damage is statutorily set, it does not always reflect the current inflation rate.  The amount of property damage incurred was set at $25 in 1937, and was increased to $100 in 1965 and $300 in 1977.

A Driver's Collision Report must be filed with the Department of Licensing (DOL) within 180 days when an accident occurs that results in $300 in property damage and/or injury or death.  If it appears there is a reasonable possibility of a judgment against an uninsured driver in a civil case, DOL sets up a financial responsibility case to determine the amount of damages and hence, the amount of security deposit that will be required of the uninsured driver.

In 1981, two separate civilian accident report forms were created to reduce the amount of paper flowing to the Washington State Patrol (WSP):  (1) Investigated Report Form - If the accident is investigated, a copy of the accident report form completed by the driver and filed with the local law enforcement agency is not forwarded to the patrol; and (2) Non-Investigated Report Form - If the accident is not investigated, a copy of the accident report form completed by the driver and filed with the local law enforcement agency is forwarded to the WSP.

The use of two accident report forms has resulted in confusion.  In many instances the patrol is receiving the wrong report or no report at all.  Returning to the use of one civilian accident report should ensure more accurate reporting.  The WSP now has an automated filing system which will enable the Records Section to deal with the increased paper flow with minimal impact.

The driver's license for a minor, under the age of 18, is distinguished by the use of the letter "M;" an adult's license (18 years of age and older) is distinguished by the letter "A."  In addition, DOL uses a three-quarter profile picture to identify a person under the age of 21.  The use of three age identifiers is confusing as other laws define an adult as 21 years of age and older.

SUMMARY:

The accident reporting threshold for property damage and corresponding financial responsibility threshold are each raised to $500 on October 1, 1987.  Thereafter, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the Department of Licensing (DOL) will adjust the respective accident reporting and financial responsibility thresholds by Washington Administrative Code rule.  The WSP and DOL thresholds may be revised no more often than every two years based on economic changes reflected by an inflationary index recommended by the Office of Financial Management.  Revisions are guided by changes in the index from the time of the last revision.  DOL's revisions are also guided by the patrol's threshold for filing accident reports.  A civilian accident report may be filed by a driver when the property damage amount is less than the current threshold.

Only one civilian accident report form is provided, regardless of whether or not the accident is investigated by a law enforcement officer.

The department may use distinguishing marks to identify the driver's license of a person under the age of 21.  Laws requiring the department to issue minor and adult driver's licenses are repealed.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 93   4

      Senate    45     0(Senate amended)

      House       (House refused to concur)

Conference Committee

      Senate    37     0

      House 96   0

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987