Brief Description: Extending school or playground speed zones.

Sponsors: Representatives Hinkle, Murray, Armstrong, Priest, Boldt, Lovick, Mielke and Haigh.

Hearing Date: 2/5/03

Staff: Jill Satran (786-7315).

Background:

Current law provides for the creation of school and playground speed zones that limit traffic speed to 20 miles per hour. These speed zones extend 300 feet from either side of a marked school or playground crosswalk, when speed limit signs are clearly posted at the crosswalk. Fines for violating the speed limit zones are doubled. In some areas, particularly in rural communities where marked crosswalks are not provided, local authorities have established school or playground speed zones that extend from the property line in order to protect pedestrian traffic. Proponents of this bill are concerned that clear statutory authority does not currently exist to allow local jurisdictions to establish these speed zones from the property line rather than a crosswalk.

Summary of Bill:

House Bill 1114 expands the current law to allow counties and incorporated cities and towns to create school or playground speed zones on highways bordering a marked school or playground and may extend 300 feet from the property border. Driving speed in such marked zones is limited to 20 miles per hour.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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