H-1807.1  _______________________________________________

                     HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 4013

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State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By Representatives Mielke, Thompson, Dunn and Honeyford

Read first time 02/17/97.  Referred to Committee on Transportation Policy & Budget.

Requesting the Washington State Patrol enforce the traffic law against motorists who drive continuously in the left lane of multilane roadways and impede the flow of other traffic.

    TO THE HONORABLE GARY LOCKE, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, AND TO THE HONORABLE ANNETTE SANDBERG, CHIEF OF THE WASHINGTON STATE PATROL:

    We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

    WHEREAS, Traffic congestion is a great concern to the citizens of this state; and

    WHEREAS, It is of great concern to the citizens of the state of Washington, and to their elected representatives in the state legislature, that the laws regarding proper use of multilane roadways be enforced; and

    WHEREAS, The legislature finds it a common occurrence for automobiles to drive continuously in the left lane of multilane roadways, thus impeding the flow of traffic; and

    WHEREAS, RCW 46.61.100(3) clearly provides that "It is a traffic infraction to drive continuously in the left lane of a multilane roadway when it impedes the flow of other traffic"; and

    WHEREAS, RCW 46.61.100(3) was enacted by the legislature in 1986 to address the problem of vehicles being driven in the left lane and thereby impeding traffic; and

    WHEREAS, It was the intent of the legislature, at that time, that the left-hand lane on any state highway with two or more lanes in the same direction be used primarily as a passing lane; and

    WHEREAS, The legislature desires that RCW 46.61.100(3) be more regularly and consistently enforced, in order to enhance the flow of traffic;

    NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the Washington State Patrol take appropriate action, vigorously enforcing RCW 46.61.100(3), and citing those motorists who drive continuously in the left lane of multilane roadways and impede the flow of other traffic.

    BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Gary Locke, Governor of the state of Washington, and to the Honorable Annette Sandberg, Chief of the Washington State Patrol.

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