HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1568

                       As Passed House

                       March 11,  1997

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:  By House Committee on Transportation Policy & Budget (originally sponsored by  Representatives Zellinsky and Fisher; by request of Washington State Patrol).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation Policy & Budget:  2/24/97 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/11/97, 96‑1.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION POLICY & BUDGET

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 22 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; Constantine; DeBolt; Hatfield; Johnson; Murray; O'Brien; Ogden; Radcliff; Robertson; Romero; Scott; Skinner; Wood and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 4 members:  Representatives Backlund; Cairnes; Chandler and Sterk.

Staff:  Jerry Long (786-7306).

Background:  The existing statute regarding two-way left turn lanes only states that a 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 which a vehicle can travel in a two-way left turn lane is 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 probable cause to stop a motorist traveling a long distance in a two-way left turn lane which increases the risk of an accident.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Captain Marsh Pugh, Washington State Patrol.