Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
SSB 6208
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. |
Brief Description: Increasing mobility through the modification of stop sign requirements for bicyclists.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Billig, Rivers, Liias, Randall and Wilson, C.).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/29/20
Staff: Jennifer Harris (786-7143).
Background:
The driver of a vehicle approaching a stop sign is required to stop and yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching another roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard.
All vehicles must stop at least 15 feet from the rail line where stop signs are located at highway grade crossings of railroads designated as particularly dangerous by the Washington State Department of Transportation or local authorities and may proceed only upon exercising due care. All vehicles must stop before reaching a school bus with a stop sign in use and may not proceed until the school bus stop sign is no longer activated.
The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign is required to slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions, and if required for safety to stop, to stop and yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching another roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard. If a driver subject to the yield sign does not stop and is involved in a collision with a vehicle in the intersection or junction of roadways, a presumption will be made that the driver failed to yield right-of-way as required.
Summary of Bill:
Every person operating a bicycle approaching a stop sign must either follow the requirements for approaching a stop sign or follow the requirements for approaching a yield sign. Every person operating a bicycle must continue to follow the requirements for vehicles stopping at a stop sign located at a highway grade crossing of a railroad and for vehicles stopping for a school bus using a stop sign while it is activated.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on October 1, 2020.