SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5541

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Transportation, February 25, 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:  Senators Wood, Goings and Winsley; by request of Washington State Patrol.

Brief History:

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

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 Substitute Bill:  The distance in which a vehicle can travel in a two-way left turn lane is 300 feet.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill designates the distance as 300 feet in which a vehicle can travel in a two-way left turn lane as compared to the original bill which was 100 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).