SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6168

                            AS OF JANUARY 28, 1992

Brief Description:  Prohibiting the citation of drivers failing to yield to unmarked and unidentified emergency vehicles.

SPONSORS: Senator McCaslin

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff:  Jeff Doyle (786‑7322)

Hearing Dates: January 28, 1992

BACKGROUND:

The Washington State Patrol, among other law enforcement agencies, sometimes uses unmarked patrol cars for traffic enforcement.  An unmarked patrol car is one which does not have the Patrol's insignia attached to the side.

Under current law, a driver of a vehicle may be cited for failure to yield to a police vehicle even if that vehicle is an unmarked patrol car.  The only requirement is that the patrol car must use its siren.

SUMMARY:

A driver of a vehicle shall not be cited for failure to yield the right of way if the law enforcement vehicle is not clearly identified.  A vehicle is clearly identified if it has the official insignia of the law enforcement agency, lettering indicating the jurisdiction of the law enforcement vehicle, or uses visual signal devices affixed across the full width of the outside of the vehicle.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested