BILL REQ. #:  S-3406.1 

Read first time 01/14/2004.   Referred to Committee on Highways & Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to restricted speed limits in unincorporated urban growth areas; amending RCW 46.61.400; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 46.61.400 and 1965 ex.s. c 155 s 54 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. In every event speed shall be so controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.
     (2)(a) Except when a special hazard exists that requires lower speed for compliance with subsection (1) of this section, the limits specified in this section or established as hereinafter authorized shall be maximum lawful speeds, and no person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed in excess of such maximum limits.
     (((a))) (i) Twenty-five miles per hour on city and town streets;
     (((b))) (ii) Fifty miles per hour on county roads;
     (((c))) (iii) Sixty miles per hour on state highways.
     (b) The maximum speed limits set forth in this section may be altered as authorized in RCW 46.61.405, 46.61.410, and 46.61.415.
     (3) Notwithstanding RCW 46.61.410, the secretary of transportation shall set a reasonable and safe maximum speed limit on state highways, located in the urban growth area of an unincorporated area of a county, that recognizes urban density in close proximity to the state highway. The secretary may not set a maximum speed limit that exceeds the limits provided in subsection (2)(a) of this section.
     (4) The driver of every vehicle shall, consistent with the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, drive at an appropriate reduced speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railway grade crossing, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, and when special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act takes effect July 1, 2004.