SENATE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5850

BYSenate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senator Tanner)

Revising certain traffic infractions and administrative penalties.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 24, 1987; February 25, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5850 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Peterson, Chairman; Hansen, Vice Chairman; Tanner, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Barr, Conner, DeJarnatt, Garrett, Halsan, Johnson, Patterson, Sellar, von Reichbauer, West.

Minority Report:  That it not be substituted.

      Signed by Senator Bender.

Senate Staff:Brad Lovaas (786-7307)

                  April 17, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 19, 1987

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 forwarded to 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 of a raise to the 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 on those roads that were posted at 65 or more prior to the 1973 federal law.

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

No matter what the federal government does, the speed limit on Interstate 5 between Olympia and Everett cannot be raised.

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 their driver's license suspended until such time as the fines and penalties are paid.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: No one

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

Intent section language is clarified so it is clear that maximum speed of 65 mph will be strictly enforced.