FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1469

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.

C 106 L 19

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Modifying provisions relating to approaching emergency or work zones and tow truck operators.

Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Jenkin, Chapman, Lovick, Young, Ryu, Orcutt, McCaslin and Barkis).

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

Definition of an Emergency or Work Zone.

An emergency or work zone is defined as the adjacent lanes of the roadway 200 feet before and after an emergency or work-zone vehicle. The following vehicles qualify as emergency or work-zone vehicles:

Passing an Emergency or Work-Zone Vehicle.

If the highway has four or more lanes, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding in the same direction as the motor vehicle approaching the emergency or work zone, the approaching motor vehicle must proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change or moving away from the lane or shoulder occupied by an emergency or work-zone vehicle.

On a highway having fewer than four lanes, the driver of a motor vehicle must proceed with caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions and following all applicable rules of the road, yield the right-of-way by passing to the left of the vehicle at a safe distance and simultaneously yield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction on the highway.

If changing lanes or moving away would be unreasonable or unsafe, the driver of a motor vehicle must proceed with due caution and reduce the speed of the vehicle.

Emergency or Work-Zone Traffic Violations.

The driver of a motor vehicle may not drive in an emergency or work zone at a speed greater than the posted speed limit. A person found to be in violation of any speed restriction in an emergency or work zone must be assessed a monetary penalty equal to twice the standard penalty, which may not be waived, reduced, or suspended.

A person who drives a vehicle in an emergency or work zone in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger an emergency or work-zone worker or property is guilty of reckless endangerment of emergency work-zone workers. This offense is a gross misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 364 days in a county jail, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both. The Department of Licensing is required to suspend the driver's license, driver's permit, or non-resident driving privilege of a person convicted of reckless endangerment of emergency or work-zone workers for 60 days.

Summary:

Passing an Emergency or Work-Zone Vehicle.

The driver of a motor vehicle passing an emergency or work-zone vehicle must:

Emergency or Work-Zone Traffic Violations.

A driver is prohibited from operating a vehicle at a speed greater than the posted speed limit, or greater than 10 mph below the posted speed limit, when the driver is unable to change lanes or move away from an emergency or work-zone vehicle.

Votes on Final Passage:

House

97

0

Senate

46

0

Effective:

July 28, 2019