SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5541

               As Passed Senate, March 12, 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:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Wood, Goings and Winsley; by request of Washington State Patrol).

 

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/6/97, 2/25/97 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/12/97, 45-3.

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

 

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5541 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Prince, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Haugen, Goings, Horn, Jacobsen, Morton, Oke, Patterson, Prentice and Rasmussen.

 

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 in 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 to help reduce the number of collisions.

 

Testimony Against:  None.

 

Testified:  Senator Wood, prime sponsor; Marsh Pugh, WSP (pro).