Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

HB 1698

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 Summary of Bill

Requires the installation and maintenance of signs indicating the end of a school zone on any street upon which the beginning of such a zone is also marked.

Background:

A school speed zone is automatically established surrounding a marked school crosswalk, if the crosswalk is fully posed with standard school speed limit signs. Alternatively, any county or incorporated city may create a school speed zone on a highway bordering a marked school. Such a zone extends for 300 feet in either direction of the crosswalk or boundary of school property. Within such a zone, it is a traffic infraction for a driver to operate a vehicle in excess of 20 miles per hour. Additionally, the monetary penalty is doubled for a driver who exceeds this limit.

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which has been adopted by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and local jurisdictions, provides guidance on the installation of school speed limit zones. The MUTCD requires that a sign be installed to indicate the beginning points of a designated school zone. When increased fines are imposed, the MUTCD requires that a sign be installed to inform drivers of the higher fines. Finally, the MUTCD requires a sign be installed to indicate the end of a higher fine zone, school zone, or both.

Summary of Bill:

The end of a school speed limit zone must be indicated with an "END SCHOOL ZONE" sign on any road where the beginning of such a zone is also marked. The responsibility for the installation and maintenance of such a sign depends upon the type of road at issue. The WSDOT must install and maintain such a sign on a state highway. A county is responsible for the installation and maintenance on county roads. Finally, a city is responsible for installing and maintaining these signs on a city street that is within its jurisdiction.