Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

HB 2198

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

Adds the upward spray of rocks as a material that must be minimized by preventive devices such as fenders, covers, flaps or splash aprons.
Adds such preventive devices must also be as wide as the tires above which the device is mounted.
States that if there is no preventative device for minimizing the spray or splash of water, mud, or rocks from the roadway, tires may not be wider than the wheel well of the vehicle and may not extend outside of the wheel well.

Background:

No person may operate a motor vehicle, trailer, or cargo extension that is not equipped with fenders, covers, flaps, or splash aprons for minimizing the spray of water or mud from the roadway.

All such devices must be as wide as the tires behind which they are mounted and extend downward to the center of the axle.

Summary of Bill:

The bill states the intent to protect pedestrians, drivers, and vehicles from rocks and debris that can be jettisoned by vehicles with uncovered tires.

The upward spray of rocks is added as a material that must be minimized by preventive devices, such as fenders, covers, flaps or splash aprons. Such preventive devices must also be as wide as the tires above which the device is mounted.

If there is no preventative device for minimizing the spray or splash of water, mud, or rocks from the roadway, tires may not be wider than the wheel well of the vehicle and may not extend outside of the wheel well.