FINAL BILL REPORT
E2SSB 5188
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
C 85 L 12
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Harmonizing certain traffic control signal provisions relative to yellow change intervals, certain fine amount limitations, and certain signage and reporting requirements.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Becker, Haugen, Swecker, Stevens, King, Fain, Delvin, Holmquist Newbry, Honeyford and Hewitt).
Senate Committee on Transportation
House Committee on Transportation
Background: Under current law, local governments may use automated, traffic-safety cameras to detect stoplight, railroad crossing, or school speed zone violations. Use of the cameras is restricted to two arterial intersections, railroad crossings, and school speed zones. The cameras may only take pictures of the vehicle and vehicle's license plate while an infraction is occurring, and must not reveal the face of the driver or passengers. Infractions detected through the use of cameras are not part of the registered owner's driving record. Additionally, infractions must be processed like parking infractions, and fines issued for infractions may not exceed the amount of fines issued for other local parking infractions.
Summary: All traffic control signals (stoplights) must have yellow light change intervals that are at least as long as the minimum intervals identified in the federal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
If an automated, traffic-safety camera is used to detect stoplight violations, it must be installed on a stoplight that has a yellow change interval duration that meets the standards identified in MUTCD, and the yellow change interval duration may not be reduced after placement of the camera.
The fine issued for a stoplight violation that is detected through the use of an automated, traffic-safety camera may not exceed the monetary penalty for a violation of the requirement to follow official traffic control devices – currently $124.
The following provisions are added to the automated traffic safety camera law:
requires the applicable jurisdiction to conduct an analysis of the proposed camera locations;
requires annual reports regarding traffic accident rates where a camera is located and the number of infractions issued for each camera;
requires signage regarding the location of a camera to be posted at least 30 days before activation of the camera; and
standardizes the signage requirements for camera locations.
Votes on Final Passage:
Senate | 45 | 0 | |
House | 96 | 0 |
Effective: | June 7, 2012 |