Brief Description: Modifying photo enforcement of traffic infraction provisions.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Kilmer, Swecker, Haugen and Rockefeller; by request of Board For Judicial Administration).

Hearing Date: 3/15/07

Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).

Background:

It is a traffic infraction to refuse to pay a toll or otherwise avoid a toll at a publicly operated toll facility. In 2004, Substitute House Bill 2475 allowed for the detection of toll violations through the use of a photo enforcement system. The photo enforcement system may record images of vehicles and vehicle license plates only, and the infractions issued through such a system are not part of the registered owners' driving records.

Automated traffic safety cameras were authorized during the 2005 legislative session to detect stoplight, railroad crossing or school speed violations. Infractions detected through the use of this equipment must be processed in the same manner as parking infractions and are not part of the registered owners' driving record.

Summary of Bill:

Toll violations detected through the use photo enforcement systems must be processed in the same manner as parking infractions, conforming with the treatment accorded other violations detected through photo enforcement systems.

The penalty for toll violation infractions issued through the use of photo enforcement systems is set at $40, plus three times the cash toll for a standard passenger vehicle during peak hours. The $40 penalty goes to the local jurisdiction processing the violation, and the penalty equal to three times the cash toll must be deposited into the account in which tolls are deposited for the respective facility.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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