Title: An act relating to motorcycle safety training curriculum.

Brief Description: Requiring motorcycle safety courses to be approved by the director of licensing.

Sponsors: Senators Weinstein, Jacobsen, Finkbeiner, Schmidt, Haugen and Shin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/31/05, 2/9/05 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Jacobsen, Vice Chair; Poulsen, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Benson, Eide, Esser, Kastama, Mulliken and Oke.

Staff: Janice Baumgardt (786-7319)

Background: Washington residents under age 18 are required to take a driver training class in order to obtain a driver's license, except under very limited circumstances. Courses may be offered at both high schools and private driver training schools.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction sets the basic course requirements for traffic safety education courses offered in high schools. The Driver's Instructors' Advisory Committee is required to create a basic minimum curriculum for courses offered at private driver training schools. Both the Superintendent and the Advisory Committee are required to include, among other things, information in driver education courses on the effects of alcohol and drug use on motor vehicle operators, the proper use of the left hand lane, and information on motorcycle awareness. The information on motorcycle awareness must be approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Summary of Bill: The information on motorcycle awareness required to be provided in driver training courses must be approved by the Department of Licensing Director, rather than the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This is a technical correction.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Larry Walker, Washington Road Riders Association.