EXPEDITED RULES
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Amending WAC 204-10-024 Windows and 204-10-014 Definitions.
THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Melissa Van Gorkom, Washington State Patrol, P.O. Box 42600, Olympia, WA 98504-2600, fax (360) 596-4015, e-mail melissa.vangorkom@wsp.wa.gov , AND RECEIVED BY October 20, 2009.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Amending WAC 204-10-024 and 204-10-014 to remove language which is no longer required due to the passage of SB 5581 which implemented the language into RCW 46.37.430.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The language in the WAC is no longer necessary. Removing the language from WAC will avoid any confusion by the public in having more than one law that reads the same/similar.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.37.005 and 46.37.320.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 46.37.430.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Washington state patrol, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Melissa Van Gorkom, P.O. Box 42600, Olympia, WA 98504-2600, (360) 596-4017; Implementation and Enforcement: Washington State Patrol, P.O. Box 42600, Olympia, WA 98504-2600, (360) 596-4017.
August 5, 2009
John R. Batiste
Chief
OTS-2620.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-19-079, filed 9/16/08,
effective 10/17/08)
WAC 204-10-014
Definitions.
(1) "Eye glasses" mean any
spectacles, sunglasses, or goggles having two separately
mounted lenses, but shall exclude contact lenses.
(2) "Goggles" means an optical device worn before the eyes, the predominant function of which is to protect the eyes without obstructing peripheral vision. They provide protection from the front and sides and may or may not form a complete seal with the face.
(3) "Face shield" means an eye protector attached to a helmet or headband(s) and which covers the wearer's eyes and face at least to a point approximately to the tip of the nose and whose predominant function is protection of the eyes.
(4) "FMVSS" means Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, chapter 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 571.
(5) (("Frame" means those parts of eye glasses or goggles
containing the lens housings. The frame may be associated
with padding.
(6))) "Headband" means that part of the device consisting of a supporting band or other structure that either encircles the head or protective helmet, or can be attached thereto.
(((7))) (6) "Motor vehicle" means passenger vehicles,
multipurpose passenger vehicles, motorcycles, trucks and buses
which are intended for use on public highways, excluding
commercial vehicles as defined under RCW 46.04.140.
(((8) "Motor vehicle window glazing" means glass material
that meets the appropriate FMVSS for use in motor vehicles.
(9))) (7) "Recognized manufacturer" means a person, firm, copartnership, association, or corporation who is or has engaged in the business of manufacturing motor vehicles intended for use on the public highways and offered for sale in interstate commerce.
(((10) "Recreational products" means any toys, cartoon
characters, stuffed animals, signs, and other vision-reducing
articles and materials that may be applied to or suspended
near motor vehicle windows for entertainment and/or amusement
purposes.
(11))) (8) "Reflectorized warning device" means any device defined in RCW 46.37.450 or any device composed of a reflective sheeting material which consists of spherical lens elements embedded with a transparent plastic having a smooth, flat outer surface. The sheeting shall be weather resistant and have a protected, low tac, precoated adhesive backing.
(((12))) (9) "Reflex reflector" means a device that is
used on vehicles to give an indication of presence to an
approaching driver by reflecting light from the headlamps of
the approaching vehicle.
(((13))) (10) "SAE" means the Society of Automotive
Engineers. Copies of the SAE Standards are available for
review at the Washington State Patrol, 210 11th Avenue,
Olympia, WA 98504, and may also be ordered from the Society of
Automotive Engineers International, 400 Commonwealth Drive,
Warrendale, PA 15086-7511.
(((14) "Sunscreening devices" are those products and/or
materials applied or installed on motor vehicle windows for
the purpose of reducing adverse effects of the sun. Such
devices include, but are not limited to, semipermanently
installed roll-up style shades and louver materials as well as
temporarily applied articles such as towels, sheets, and
blankets.
(15))) (11) "Wheelchair conveyance" means any vehicle specially manufactured or designed for transportation of a physically or medically impaired person who is either wheelchair-bound or otherwise walking impaired. The vehicle may be a separate vehicle used in lieu of a wheelchair or a vehicle used for transporting the impaired person who is simultaneously occupying a wheelchair.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.005 and 46.37.320. 08-19-079, § 204-10-014, filed 9/16/08, effective 10/17/08.]
(a) The maximum height of the letters or numbers must not exceed one-half inch.
(b) The etched vehicle identification number must not be located in any position as to interfere with the vision of the occupant(s).
(2))) The windshield must be framed and in such a position that it affords continuous horizontal frontal protection to the driver and front seat occupants. The minimum vertical height of the unobstructed windshield glass must be six inches, or as originally equipped by a recognized manufacturer.
(((3))) (2) The vehicle must be provided with a
windshield and side windows or openings which allow the driver
a minimum outward horizontal vision capability, ninety degrees
each side of a vertical plane passing through the fore and aft
centerline of the vehicle. This range of vision:
(a) May be interrupted by window framing not exceeding four inches in width at each side location.
(b) Must have no obstruction forward of the windshield which extends more than two inches upward into the horizontally forward projected vision area of the windshield except windshield wiper components and hood ornaments identical to those originally installed by a recognized manufacturer. For the purposes of this section, the projected vision area of the windshield shall be defined as that area above a line from the top of the steering wheel to the top of the front fenders or hood, whichever is higher.
(((4) Sunscreening devices and/or recreational products:
(a) Must not be applied to or suspended between the driver and the windshield or the windows to the immediate right and left of the driver.
(b) May be applied to other windows provided that such devices do not interfere, by their size or position, with the driver's ability to see other vehicles, persons, and objects and do not reduce the driver's area of vision uniformly and by no more than fifty percent, as measured on a horizontal plane.
(c) May be applied to the rear window, provided that the vehicle must be equipped with outside rear view mirrors on both the left and the right.
This rule does not permit or prohibit the use and placement of federal, state, or local certificates or decals on any window as are required or prohibited by applicable laws or regulations. Any such decal or certificate must, however, be of such size and placement so that the ability of the driver to safely operate the vehicle is not impaired.
(5) Due to the nature of use, function and operation of such vehicles, transit city buses are exempt from the provisions of subsection (4)(a) and (b) of this section. The following are exempted from the provisions of subsection (4)(b) of this section:
(a) Hearses.
(b) Ambulances.
(c) Limousines, passenger buses, and transit city buses used to transport persons for compensation.
Such vehicles must have mirrors on both the right and left to provide vision at least two hundred feet to the rear. This section does not limit liability of the operators and/or owners of such vehicles involved in accidents resulting from reduced visibility.
(6))) (3) If a windshield is not required under 49 CFR 571, the operator must wear eye protection as outlined in chapter 46.37 RCW and WAC 204-10-026.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.005 and 46.37.320. 08-19-079, § 204-10-024, filed 9/16/08, effective 10/17/08.]