Sponsors: By Senators Horn, Haugen, Swecker, T. Sheldon, Schmidt, Johnson, Poulsen, B. Sheldon, Jacobsen, Stevens, Mulliken, Hale, Spanel, Eide, Rasmussen and Winsley.

Brief Summary of Bill

• Requires motorcycle awareness information be included in driver training curriculum.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 27 members: Representatives Murray, Chair; Rockefeller, Vice Chair; G. Simpson, Vice Chair; Ericksen, Ranking Minority Member; Jarrett, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Bailey, Campbell, Clibborn, Cooper, Dickerson, Flannigan, Hankins, Hatfield, Hudgins, Kristiansen, Lovick, Mielke, Morris, Nixon, Rodne, Romero, Schindler, Shabro, Wallace, Wood and Woods.

In general, Washington residents under age 18 are required to complete a driver training course in order to be eligible for a driver's license. Courses are offered at public high schools and private driver training schools.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) establishes the basic course requirements for traffic safety education courses offered in public schools. The Driving Instructors' Advisory Committee establishes basic minimum curriculum for private driver training schools. Both the OSPI and the Driving Instructors' Advisory Committee are required to include information in driver training courses on the effects of alcohol and drug use on motor vehicle operators and proper use of the left-hand lane on multilane highways.

The OSPI must include information on motorcycle awareness in instructional materials used in traffic safety education courses. The motorcycle awareness information must be approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

The basic minimum curriculum established by the Driving Instructors' Advisory Committee must include information on motorcycle awareness, approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The Motorcycle Safety Foundation provides this type of safety curriculum nationwide. The curriculum teaches motorcycle safety awareness from the perspective of motorcycles.