Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
HB 1527
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Allowing motorcycles to stop and proceed through traffic control signals under certain conditions.
Sponsors: Representatives Asay, Armstrong, Taylor, Wilcox, Orcutt, Dammeier, Condotta, Carlyle, Stanford, Warnick and McCune.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/8/11
Staff: Wendy Malkin (786-7114).
Background:
All vehicle operators are required to obey traffic control devices, including traffic signals at intersections. Some of these traffic signals are equipped with sensors that determine when a vehicle has approached the intersection. Once detected by the sensor, the traffic signal will initiate a change in, or extension of, a traffic signal phase (e.g., change a red light to green).
Summary of Bill:
After stopping at an intersection controlled by a traffic signal using a vehicle detection device, a motorcyclist may proceed through the intersection, after exercising due care, if a full cycle of the traffic signal has passed, and the signal has failed to operate due to the size of the motorcycle.A belief that a traffic signal is equipped with a vehicle detection device, when it is not, is not a defense to a traffic citation for failure to obey a traffic signal. Similarly, a belief that the device is inoperative due to the size of the motorcycle is not a defense when the device is not inoperative due to the size of the motorcycle.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.