HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 2075

BYRepresentatives Cantwell, S. Wilson, Wood, Walk, Heavey, Prince, K. Wilson, Sprenkle, Ferguson, Nelson and Spanel

Permitting local governments to have a twenty-four hour headlight policy.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (23)

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

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (2)

      Signed by Representatives Kremen and R. Meyers.

House Staff:Mary McLaughlin (786-7309)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 14, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Last year the Department of Transportation (DOT) started a voluntary "Lights On For Safety" demonstration program to determine if requiring motor vehicle headlights to be on at all times improves safety.  Five locations were selected and signs were posted stating "Test Area -- Turn Lights On". The five locations are:  (1) SR 2 between Snohomish and Monroe, (2) SR 18 from Auburn to I-90, (3) SR 522 between east Bothell and Monroe, (4) a segment on SR 97 in the Yakima area, and (5) a segment on SR 14 in the Camas area.

Because some segments have been posted as recently as November of 1988, the DOT does not have any firm test results.  Data has been compiled on accident patterns prior to posting the signs, and random spot checks are being conducted to determine compliance (currently running between 25 percent and 50 percent, depending on the highway segment).  Test results are expected in the early 1990's.

The Canadian government is currently exploring the possibility of requiring the use of motor vehicle headlights at all times based upon a recent study that concluded illuminated headlights increases visibility and depth perception of surrounding vehicles.  A recent California study concluded that the use of headlights was beneficial in some test areas, but not in others.

SUMMARY:

A "24-Hour Headlight Policy" is created in which cities and counties may petition the Department of Transportation (DOT) to implement a lights-on policy on state highways within their jurisdictions, or discontinue an implemented policy.  A participating local jurisdiction is directed to educate its citizens on the 24-hour policy and periodically report its education efforts to the DOT.

The department is responsible for (1) developing criteria (traffic volume, accident statistics, signage costs, etc.) for approval or denial of a petition, (2) notifying all counties of the voluntary lights-on program, and (3) erecting and maintaining appropriate signs along a designated highway.  Participating local jurisdictions are required to share in the cost of signing, in an amount determined by the department.

Periodically, the department reports to the Legislative Transportation Committee regarding petitions and subsequent accident statistics.  A final report is to be submitted by the DOT to the Legislature by January 1, 1995.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Shirley Bartholomew, Snohomish County Council; Dr. Eric Kiesel, Snohomish County Medical Examiner; Lloyd Neal, Snohomish County Public Works Department.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    A test program will determine if the use of headlights at all times is effective in reducing accidents.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.