SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5112
BYSenators Benitz, Hansen, West, Owen, Zimmerman and Bauer
Authorizing green lights on cars of dive rescue personnel.
Senate Committee on Transportation
Senate Hearing Date(s):January 18, 1988
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; von Reichbauer, Vice Chairman; Barr, Bender, Conner, DeJarnatt, Garrett, Hansen, Kiskaddon, McMullen, Metcalf, Owen, Sellar.
Senate Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)
January 19, 1988
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, JANUARY 18, 1988
BACKGROUND:
Emergency dive teams are voluntary organizations whose role it is to respond to situations involving drownings, vehicles in water, boating accidents,and other water related crises on a 24- hour basis. They operate with a radio and paging system in a similar manner to that of volunteer firefighters.
Dive team vehicles are sometimes not recognized as emergency vehicles when responding to calls. They have requested permission to attach a green light to vehicles used only when responding to emergencies. Currently only firefighters are authorized use of a green light.
SUMMARY:
Dive rescue personnel shall be authorized to use a green light on the front of their private cars only when they are on emergency duty, in the same manner as firefighters. The purpose of the green light is for official identification and does not provide the driver with other emergency privileges accorded fire fighters, such as proceeding through signal lights.
Identifying signs or plates indicating a dive rescue team may not be used on any vehicle unless the owner is a bona fide member of a dive rescue team. If an identifying sign or plate is used on a private car of a dive team member, the sign must include the name of the municipality or dive rescue team.
The green light shall be of a type approved by the State Patrol, visible for approximately 200 feet.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: none requested
Senate Committee - Testified: No one