SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6666

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Transportation, February 5, 1998

Title:  An act relating to the duty of a driver in an accident.

Brief Description:  Allowing a vehicle in an accident to be moved to safety.

Sponsors:  Senators Goings, Haugen, Rasmussen and Patterson.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/3/98, 2/5/98 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6666 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  Jennifer Hanlon (786-7316)

Background:  If a driver of a vehicle is involved in an accident, the driver must immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident. The driver must remain at the scene of the accident and provide his name, address, insurance company, and vehicle information to the driver or occupant of any vehicle with which he collided.

Any driver involved in an injury accident, who fails to stop or provide the necessary information is guilty of a class C felony, unless the person was physically incapable of compliance.  Any driver involved in a non-injury accident, who fails to stop or provide the necessary information is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The driver of a vehicle involved in a noninjury accident must move the vehicle as soon as possible off the roadway and freeway main lanes and adjacent areas.  The driver must move the vehicle to an exit ramp shoulder, frontage road, or other suitable location.  Moving the vehicle does not affect fault for the accident.

An officer or Department of Transportation representative is not liable for any damage to a vehicle resulting from removal of the vehicle from the scene of the accident.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Vehicles must be moved off of freeways and roadways.  An officer or employee of the Department of Transportation is not liable for damage caused by moving the vehicle.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The state suffers severe economic losses as a result of congestion.  Serious accidents are often caused by minor accidents that remain on the road.  This legislation is an effective step for reducing congestion.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Goings, prime sponsor; Paula Hammond, DOT; Jim LaMunyon, WSP; Stu Halsan, WTTA.