5623-S AMS SHEL S2354.1
SSB 5623 - S AMD 104
By Senators Sheldon, Hargrove, Braun, King, Hasegawa
ADOPTED 3/5/2015
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1.  RCW 46.61.608 and 2013 c 139 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane.
(2)(a) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken, except on the left-hand side of a vehicle traveling in the left-most lane of traffic on a numbered state highway identified in chapter 47.17 RCW that has two or more lanes of traffic in each direction if the operator of the motorcycle is traveling at a rate of speed no more than ten miles per hour over the speed of traffic flow and not more than twenty-five miles per hour. ((However, this subsection shall not apply)) When the operator of a motorcycle overtakes and passes a pedestrian or bicyclist ((while maintaining)), the operator shall maintain a safe passing distance of at least three feet.
(b) Any operator of a motor vehicle that intentionally impedes or attempts to prevent any operator of a motorcycle from operating his or her motorcycle as permitted under this subsection is guilty of a traffic infraction.
(3) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.
(4) Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.
(5) Subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall not apply to police officers in the performance of their official duties.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  Section 1 of this act expires July 31, 2017."
SSB 5623 - S AMD 104
By Senators Sheldon, Hargrove, Braun, King, Hasegawa
ADOPTED 3/5/2015
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "traffic;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 46.61.608; prescribing penalties; and providing an expiration date."
EFFECT: Removes the authorization for a motorcycle to operate between lanes of traffic and rows of vehicles. Limits a motorcycle operator to passing in the same lane as a vehicle it is overtaking to passing on the left-hand side of the vehicle and only in the left-most lane of traffic on a state highway or interstate with two or more lanes of traffic in each direction. The motorcycle may only pass on the left-hand side when the motorcycle is operating under twenty-five miles per hour and not traveling more than ten miles per hour over the flow of traffic.
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