FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 6439

C 126 L 04

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Enhancing motorcycle safety curriculum.

Sponsors: Senators Horn, Haugen, Swecker, T. Sheldon, Schmidt, Johnson, Poulsen, B. Sheldon, Jacobsen, Stevens, Mulliken, Hale, Spanel, Eide, Rasmussen and Winsley.

Senate Committee on Highways & Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background: Washington residents under age 18 are required to take a driver training class in order to obtain a driver's license, except under very limited and specific circumstances. Courses are offered at both public high schools and private driver training schools.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction sets the basic course requirements for traffic safety education courses offered in public schools. The Driver's Instructors' Advisory Committee is required to create a basic minimum curriculum for courses offered at private driver training schools. Both the Superintendent and the Advisory Committee are required to include information in driver education courses on the effects of alcohol and drug use on motor vehicle operators and proper use of the left hand lane.

Summary: The Superintendent of Public Instruction must include information on motorcycle awareness, approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, in instructional materials used in traffic safety education courses.

The basic minimum curriculum set by the Driver's Instructors' Advisory Committee must include information on motorcycle awareness approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate       48  0

House       95  0

Effective: June 10, 2004