SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5727

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Transportation, January 27, 1998

Title:  An act relating to rearview mirrors on trucks.

Brief Description:  Requiring rearview mirrors on certain delivery trucks.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Wood, Haugen, Jacobsen, Hargrove, Finkbeiner, Deccio, Heavey, Goings, McAuliffe, Patterson, Prentice, Winsley, Kohl and Rasmussen).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/25/97, 2/27/97 [DPS]; 1/27/98 [DP2S].

Passed Senate, 3/14/97, 37-12.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5727 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  Jerry Long (786-7306)

Background: The state has the ability to adopt certain motor vehicle equipment safety standards so long as the standards are at least as stringent as federal law, and so long as the federal government has not preempted state regulation.  Currently, there is no requirement under either federal or state law that small delivery trucks be equipped with a backup device that alerts the driver that a person or object is directly behind the vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Institute (NHTSA) is currently testing the effectiveness of various backup devices on the market in an effort to promulgate federal rules on uniform equipment standards.  NHTSA is looking at rear-view mirrors, infra-red devices and radar warning devices.  The earliest the federal rules are anticipated to be put in place is September, 1998.  Once the rules are finalized, all states must comply with the new equipment standards.

Summary of Second Substitute Bill:  Small delivery trucks registered or based in Washington that are up to 18 feet long must be equipped with a rear crossview mirror or backup device to alert the driver that a person or object is behind the truck.  Administrative rules for equipment specification, installation and operating condition are developed by the Washington State Patrol.  The new standards take effect September 30, 1998.

Second Substitute Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  Rear crossview mirrors were required in the substitute bill.  The second substitute bill requires a rear crossview mirror or a backup device by September 30, 1998.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on September 30, 1998.

Testimony For:  Testimony for the bill promoted safety for persons from delivery trucks backing up and to reduce or minimize damage caused by delivery trucks backing into objects that the driver does not see.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Marsh Pugh, Washington State Patrol; Diane Nelson, Package Delivery Company; Dee and Jackie Norton; Steve Lind, Washington Traffic Safety Commission; Mike Ryherd, Teamsters.