HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5541

             As Reported By House Committee On:

               Transportation Policy & Budget

Title:  An act relating to restricting the distance a vehicle may travel in a two‑way left turn lane.

Brief Description:  Restricting the distance a vehicle may travel in a two‑way left‑turn lane.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Wood, Goings and Winsley; by request of Washington State Patrol).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Transportation Policy & Budget:  4/2/97, 4/3/97 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION POLICY & BUDGET

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 24 members:  Representatives K. Schmidt, Chairman; Hankins, Vice Chairman; Mielke, Vice Chairman; Mitchell, Vice Chairman; Fisher, Ranking Minority Member; Blalock, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cooper, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buck; Cairnes; Chandler; DeBolt; Gardner; Hatfield; Johnson; Murray; O'Brien; Ogden; Radcliff; Robertson; Romero; Scott; Skinner; Sterk and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Backlund.

Staff:  Jerry Long (786-7306).

Background:  The existing statute regarding two-way left turn lanes only states that one vehicle may not pass another in a two-way left turn lane.  Drivers often travel significant distances in two-way left turn lanes before making a turn or entering traffic.  This increases the risk of right of way collisions, especially during peak traffic hours.

Summary of Bill:  The distance a vehicle can travel in a two-way left turn lane is set at 300 feet.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This will reduce the number of vehicles traveling long distances in a two-way left turn lane.  The anticipated benefit is a reduction in the number of right-of- way collisions, especially during peak traffic hours.  This will also give law enforcement officers probably cause to stop a motorist traveling a long distance in a two-way left turn lane.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Chief Annette Sandberg, Washington State Patrol.