HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2932

                      As Passed House:

                      February 10, 1998

Title:  An act relating to requiring stops at intersections with nonfunctioning signal lights.

Brief Description:  Requiring stops at intersections with nonfunctioning signal lights.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Transportation Policy & Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Zellinsky, O'Brien, Talcott and Wensman).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Transportation Policy & Budget:  2/2/98 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  2/10/98, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION POLICY & BUDGET

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 25 members:  Representatives K. Schmidt, Chairman; Hankins, Vice Chairman; Mielke, Vice Chairman; Mitchell, Vice Chairman; Fisher, Ranking Minority Member; Cooper, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Buck; Cairnes; Chandler; Constantine; Hatfield; Johnson; McCune; Murray; O'Brien; Ogden; Radcliff; Robertson; Romero; Scott; Skinner; Sterk; Wood and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Mary McLaughlin (786-7309).

Background:  The basic right of way rule for a vehicle approaching an intersection is that when two vehicles from different roads approach an unmarked intersection at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.  The right of way rule for a vehicle turning left is that the vehicle intending to turn left must yield to the vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.  There appears to be some confusion as to who has the right of way when proceeding through an intersection with a traffic control device that is not functioning.

Summary of Bill:  Except when directed to proceed by a flagger, police officer or firefighter, a driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection whose traffic signal is not functioning, must stop and yield the right of way in compliance with the basic right of way rule for (1) a vehicle approaching an intersection, and (2) a vehicle turning left at an intersection.  The red/yellow/green traffic signal is specified to preclude having to stop at an intersection with a control beacon or other traffic control device.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This is a safety issue.  It will eliminate the confusion of who has the right of way at an intersection by making each vehicle stop and proceed according to the rules of the road.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Dave Peach, Department of Transportation; and Captain Marsh Pugh, Washington State Patrol.