HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1684

BYRepresentatives Nelson, Betrozoff and Spanel

Authorizing running lights on motor vehicles.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (25)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair; Schmidt, Ranking Republican Member; Wood, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Betrozoff, Cantwell, Cooper, Day, G. Fisher, Gallagher, Haugen, Heavey, Jones, Kremen, R. Meyers, Nelson, Patrick, Prentice, Prince, Smith, D. Sommers, Todd, Walker, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (2)

      Signed by Representatives R. Fisher and Hankins.

House Staff:Mary McLaughlin (786-7309)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION MARCH 2, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Running lights are lights installed on motor vehicles that indicate that the engine is running.  Several years ago, some vehicles were manufactured with a single running light on the front of the vehicle.

Two lighted lamps are required to be displayed on the front of the vehicle from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour before sunrise and at times of poor visibility.  Because the current law does not specify the use of headlamps, parking lights may be displayed.

State equipment standards prohibit the use of more than two white lamps in addition to the headlamps on the front of the vehicle.  Except for headlamps, spot and auxiliary lamps, flashing turn signals, and warning lamps (emergency vehicle, school bus or other warning lamps authorized by the State Patrol), a lighted lamp that projects a beam of light greater than 300 candlepower must be aimed so no part of the high intensity portion of the beam strikes the level roadway at a distance greater than 75 feet from the vehicle.

Since 1968, daytime running lights have been widely used in Finland.  In 1982 their usage was made mandatory in Finland's rural areas.  In a study comparing multiple and single vehicle crashes between 1966 and 1974, Finland found the daytime crash rate in accidents involving more than one vehicle decreased 27 percent.  In Sweden, there has been an 11 percent decrease in frontal collisions involving more than one vehicle since daytime running lights became mandatory in 1977.  After December 1, 1989, Canada will require daytime running lights on all passenger cars manufactured in or imported to that country.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Standard (FMCSS) No. 108 does not address running lights.  Last year the Federal Highway Administration held a hearing on an amendment to FMCSS 108 allowing the use of running lights. To date, no final rule has been issued by the Agency.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  Any motor vehicle may be equipped with two amber running lights installed so they are automatically illuminated when the engine is running.  Headlamps may serve as running lights.  The State Patrol may adopt rules for additional specifications.

Two lighted headlamps must be displayed from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour before sunrise at times of poor visibility when the vehicle is in operation.  Amber running lights and two additional white lamps may be illuminated in conjunction with headlights.  Running lights are also added to the list of lamps that are exempt from the 300 candlepower high intensity light aiming restriction.

The Insurance Commissioner, jointly with the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and other interested parties are to develop WAC rules to establish: (1) availability of running lights that meet the Patrol's lighting equipment standards; (2) installation, maintenance and operation standards; and (3) a reduced premium for motor vehicles equipped with running lights based upon the likelihood that vehicles using such lights will be involved in fewer accidents.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Headlights may be used as running lights; running lights are amber in color; lights must meet WSP lighting standards.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    None Presented.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.