PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 204-41 WAC, Seat belt exemptions.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 46.61.688(2).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Washington State Patrol, Office of Government and Media Relations, was contacted by a senator requesting a seat belt exemption for individuals driving delivery vehicles. The constituent who contacted the senator requested an exemption similar to what is currently granted to rural mail carriers, rural newspaper delivery carriers, utility meter readers, and refuse/recycling collectors. The proposed language outlines specifically when a commercially-recognized delivery vehicle operator may be exempt from wearing a seat belt system.
Process for Developing New Rule: Worked with the senator, the constituent, Office of Government and Media Relations, and solicited input from the Washington Trucking Association, United Parcel Service, and Federal Express.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Washington State Patrol, Equipment and Standards Review Unit, P.O. Box 42614, Olympia, WA 98504-2614, christine.fox@wsp.wa.gov, (360) 753-3697, or fax (360) 586-8233.
April 5, 2005
John R. Batiste
Chief