FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5539

                          C 248 L 97

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Changing accident report requirements.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Oke and Horn; by request of Washington State Patrol).

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation Policy & Budget

Background:  The driver of a vehicle that is in an accident where there is an injury, death, or significant damage must file an accident report within 24 hours of the accident.  It is up to the discretion of the driver to file an accident report in other circumstances.  The report is filed with the law enforcement=s jurisdiction in which the accident occurred.  The original is sent to the Washington State Patrol.  If a law enforcement officer is present at the scene or investigates the accident, the law enforcement officer must also file an accident report, in addition to the report filed by the drivers.

Summary:  If a law enforcement officer completes an accident report, the drivers involved in an accident do not have to file a report.  The reference to a driver=s report is deleted since not all accidents require an accident report to be filed.  Time for filing an accident report is four days.  Reference to Ahis@ within the statute is changed to Athe chief=s@ and Acause@ of an accident on the report is changed to the Acircumstances@ of the accident.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 48 0

House     98 0 (House amended)

Senate    47 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  May 2, 1997