FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5850

PARTIAL VETO

                                  C 397 L 87

BYSenate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senator Tanner)

Revising certain traffic infractions and administrative penalties.

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committe on Transportation

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

When the federal government lowered maximum highway speed limits to 55 miles per hour in 1973, it was for energy conservation purposes, rather than highway safety concerns.  The multi-lane state highways of Washington State have been designed to accommodate vehicle speeds of 70 miles per hour and above.

Insurance companies currently receive a driver's abstract that reflects all traffic infractions and accidents for the three years preceding the request.  The accidents which appear on the driver's record do not differentiate between accidents where the person was at fault or not at fault.

There are over $7 million worth of traffic infractions outstanding in Washington State.  This is a drain on the state's general fund, motor vehicle fund, the local jurisdictions and the court system.  Currently, the Department of Licensing does not renew a driver's license if a court has notified the Department of Licensing that the person has Failed To Appear (FTA) and has not paid the fines and penalties due.

SUMMARY:

If the federal government approves a raise to 65 miles per hour on the rural interstate system, the Secretary of the Department of Transportation shall raise the speed on the rural interstate system to 65 miles per hour.  The maximum speed limit on Interstate 5 between Olympia and Everett is set at 55 miles per hour.

If the Department of Transportation through a traffic investigation determines that raising the speed limit to 65 on any particular stretch would be unsafe, the speed will be posted at the speed indicated by the study.

An insurer cannot raise a motor vehicle insurance premium unless the insurer determines that the insured was at fault in the accident.

Any person who has two or more Failure To Appear (FTA) shall have his/her driver's license suspended until such time as the fines and penalties are paid.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    32    14

      House 64  33 (House amended)

      Senate    34    14 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987

Partial Veto Summary:  The provision which requires the Department of Licensing to suspend the driver's license of individuals with two or more "failure to appear" is vetoed.  This is necessary because a similar provision is in legislation signed earlier by the Governor.  (See VETO MESSAGE)