BILL REQ. #:  S-1037.1 

READ FIRST TIME 01/31/11.   

     AN ACT Relating to streamlining the process applicable to reducing speed limits on state highways; and amending RCW 46.61.405.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 46.61.405 and 1987 c 397 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     Whenever the secretary of transportation shall determine, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation which must be completed within sixty days, that any maximum speed hereinbefore set forth is greater than is reasonable or safe with respect to a state highway under the conditions found to exist at any intersection or upon any other part of the state highway system or at state ferry terminals, or that a general reduction of any maximum speed set forth in RCW 46.61.400 is necessary in order to comply with a national maximum speed limit, the secretary may determine and declare a reasonable and safe lower maximum limit or a lower maximum limit which will comply with a national maximum speed limit, for any state highway, the entire state highway system, or any portion thereof, which shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected. Public safety, and input provided by the applicable local jurisdictions impacted by the existing and proposed speed limits, shall be accorded paramount weight in any engineering and traffic investigation conducted under this section. The secretary may also fix and regulate the speed of vehicles on any state highway within the maximum speed limit allowed by this chapter for special occasions including, but not limited to, local parades and other special events. Any such maximum speed limit may be declared to be effective at all times or at such times as are indicated upon the said signs; and differing limits may be established for different times of day, different types of vehicles, varying weather conditions, and other factors bearing on safe speeds, which shall be effective (((a) [(1)])) (1) when posted upon appropriate fixed or variable signs or (((b) [(2)])) (2) if a maximum limit is established for auto stages which is lower than the limit for automobiles, the auto stage speed limit shall become effective thirty days after written notice thereof is mailed in the manner provided in subsection (4) of RCW 46.61.410, as now or hereafter amended.