Title: An act relating to the use of automated traffic safety cameras in state highway work zones.

Brief Description: Authorizing the use of automated traffic safety cameras in state highway work zones.

Sponsors: Representatives Lovick, Hankins, Morrell and Kagi; by request of Department of Transportation.

Brief History:

Transportation: 2/1/06, 2/2/06 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 28 members: Representatives Murray, Chair; Wallace, Vice Chair; Woods, Ranking Minority Member; Skinner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Buck, Campbell, Clibborn, Curtis, Dickerson, Ericksen, Flannigan, Hankins, Hudgins, Jarrett, Kilmer, Lovick, Morris, Nixon, Rodne, Schindler, Sells, Shabro, Simpson, B. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove and Wood.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Holmquist.

Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).

Background:

Local governments may use automated traffic safety cameras subject to the following conditions: (1) an ordinance must first be enacted by the local legislative authority allowing their use to detect only stoplight, railroad crossing, or school speed zone violations and setting forth public notice and signage provisions; (2) use of the automated traffic safety cameras is restricted to two-arterial intersections, railroad crossings, and school speed zones only; (3) pictures may only be taken of vehicles and vehicle license plates and only while an infraction is occurring, and must not reveal driver or passenger faces; (4) all locations where an automated traffic safety camera is used must be clearly marked by signs indicating the presence of a camera zone; (5) infraction notices must be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle within 14 days of the infraction, and may be responded to by mail; and (6) infractions detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera are not part of the registered owner's driving record.

Infractions detected through the use of automated traffic safety cameras must be processed in the same manner as parking infractions.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The use of automated traffic safety cameras in roadway construction zones is authorized. The fine issued for roadway construction zone infractions detected with automated traffic safety cameras is $137, and the infractions are issued by the Washington State Patrol.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

• Changed reference to conform to current statute.
• Sets fine for roadway construction zone infractions at $137.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Testimony For: Since 1999, there have been almost 3,000 injuries and more than 40 deaths in highway work zones. Work zone safety is a priority, and this bill will increase the safety of both workers and drivers.

Excessive speed is the second greatest danger that drivers face. Where traffic safety cameras have been used, such as in school zones in Lakewood, speed has decreased and safety has increased.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Lovick, prime sponsor; Jennifer Ziegler and Bill Buchanan, Washington State Department of Transportation; Jeff Hall, Board for Judicial Administration; Jeff Devere, Washington State Patrol; and Steve Lind, Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.