BILL REQ. #:  Z-0257.1 

Read first time 01/18/2005.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to vehicle length and width measurement exclusive devices and specialized equipment; amending RCW 46.44.010 and 46.44.030; and adding a new section to chapter 46.44 RCW.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 46.44.010 and 1997 c 63 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     The total outside width of any vehicle or load thereon ((shall)) must not exceed eight and one-half feet((: PROVIDED, That no)); except that an externally mounted rear vision mirror may extend ((more than five inches)) beyond the ((extreme)) width limits of the vehicle body((: PROVIDED FURTHER, That)) to a point that allows the driver a view to the rear of the vehicle along both sides in conformance with Federal National Safety Standard 111 (49 C.F.R. 571.111), and RCW 46.37.400. Excluded from this calculation of width are ((safety appliances such as clearance lights, rub rails, flexible fender extensions, mud flaps, and splash and spray suppressant devices, and appurtenances such as door handles, door hinges, and turning signal brackets and such other safety appliances and appurtenances as the department may determine are necessary for the safe and efficient operation of motor vehicles: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That no appliances or appurtenances may)) certain devices that provide added safety, energy conservation, or are otherwise necessary, and are not designed or used to carry cargo. The width-exclusive devices must be identified in rules adopted by the department of transportation under section 3 of this act. A width-exclusive device must not extend more than three inches beyond the ((extreme)) width limit((s)) of the vehicle body.

Sec. 2   RCW 46.44.030 and 2000 c 102 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     It is unlawful for any person to operate upon the public highways of this state any vehicle having an overall length, with or without load, in excess of forty feet. This restriction does not apply to (1) a municipal transit vehicle, (2) auto stage, private carrier bus, school bus, or motor home with an overall length not to exceed forty-six feet, or (3) an articulated auto stage with an overall length not to exceed sixty-one feet.
     It is unlawful for any person to operate upon the public highways of this state any combination consisting of a tractor and semitrailer that has a semitrailer length in excess of fifty-three feet or a combination consisting of a tractor and two trailers in which the combined length of the trailers exceeds sixty-one feet, with or without load.
     It is unlawful for any person to operate on the highways of this state any combination consisting of a truck and trailer, or log truck and stinger-steered pole trailer, with an overall length, with or without load, in excess of seventy-five feet. ((However, a combination of vehicles transporting automobiles or boats may have a front overhang of three feet and a rear overhang of four feet beyond this allowed length.)) "Stinger-steered," as used in this section, means the coupling device is located behind the tread of the tires of the last axle of the towing vehicle.
     These length limitations do not apply to vehicles transporting poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature that cannot be dismembered and operated by a public utility when required for emergency repair of public service facilities or properties, but in respect to night transportation every such vehicle and load thereon shall be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps upon the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
     ((The length limitations described in this section are exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices, such as mud flaps and splash and spray suppressant devices, refrigeration units or air compressors, and other devices that the department determines to be necessary for safe and efficient operation of commercial vehicles. No device excluded under this paragraph from the limitations of this section may have, by its design or use, the capability to carry cargo.)) Excluded from the calculation of length are certain devices that provide added safety, energy conservation, or are otherwise necessary, and are not designed or used to carry cargo. The length-exclusive devices must be identified in rules adopted by the department of transportation under section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 46.44 RCW to read as follows:
     The department of transportation may, within the provisions set forth in this chapter, adopt rules for size and weight criteria relating to vehicles considered to be specialized equipment by the federal highway administration for interstate travel or as determined by the department for intrastate travel.