Title: An act relating to using traffic safety cameras on arterial highways.

Brief Description: Adding speed violations on arterial highways to the traffic safety camera law.

Sponsors: Senator Jacobsen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/25/06.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff: Kelly Simpson (786-7403)

Background: Under current law, local governments may use "automated traffic safety cameras" (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 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 a 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 cameras are not part of the registered owner's driving record.

The registered owner of a vehicle is responsible for an infraction detected by an automated traffic safety camera unless the owner states under oath that the vehicle involved was, at the time, stolen or in the care, custody, or control of another person.

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

Summary of Substitute Bill: The automated traffic safety camera law is expanded to include authorizing local governments to use cameras to detect speed violations on arterial highways within cities over 500,000 persons.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The restriction to certain large cities was added.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: Traffic safety cameras change drivers' behaviors and result in fewer traffic accidents.

Testimony Against: None.

Testimony Other: Conspicuously marked police cars are a good deterrent. The motive of placing the cameras should be to reduce traffic accidents. The fine should go to transportation-related programs and not into a general fund.

Who Testified: PRO: Steve Lind, WA Traffic Safety Commission.

OTHER: Dave Overstreet, AAA.