Title: An act relating to photo enforcement of traffic infractions.

Brief Description: Modifying photo enforcement of traffic infraction provisions.

Sponsors: Senators Haugen and Kline; by request of Board For Judicial Administration.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/25/06, 2/1/06 [DPS, w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6654 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Jacobsen, Vice Chair; Poulsen, Vice Chair; Benson, Ranking Minority Member; Eide, Finkbeiner, Kastama, Mulliken, Spanel, Swecker and Weinstein.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senators Benton and Esser.

Staff: Kelly Simpson (786-7403)

Background: Under current law, refusing to pay a toll at a tolled facility is a traffic infraction. Since the passage of SHB 2475 in 2004, toll violations may be detected through the use of a photo enforcement system. Photo enforcement systems may take recorded images (e.g., photographs) of vehicles and vehicle license plates only. Additionally, infractions detected through the use of photo enforcement systems are not part of registered owners' driving records.

During the 2005 legislative session, ESSB 5060 was enacted allowing local governments to use "automated traffic safety cameras" to detect stoplight, railroad crossing, or school speed zone violations. Infractions detected through the use of the cameras must be processed in the same manner as parking infractions.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The photo enforcement system statute for toll violations is changed to conform with the administrative provisions found in ESSB 5060 enacted last session. Toll violations detected through the use of photo enforcement systems must be processed in the same manner as parking infractions and the penalty is set at $40.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The bill as referred to committee was not considered.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The Board for Judicial Administration is interested in having a single consistent process with respect to the administration of traffic infractions detected through traffic cameras. The $40 fine was arrived at by Pierce County District Court and the state Washington State Department of Transportation. Traffic safety cameras change drivers' behaviors for the better. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a good resource regarding the effectiveness of traffic cameras.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Jeff Hall, Board for Judicial Administration; Mel Sorensen, Property Casualty Insurers Assoc.; David Pope, WA State Dept. of Transportation.