FINAL BILL REPORT
SSB 6084
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. |
C 199 L 20
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Concerning circular intersections.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Takko, Hobbs, Mullet and Padden).
Senate Committee on Transportation
House Committee on Transportation
Background: A vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island must be driven to the right of the island.
Whenever a roadway is divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, a vehicle must be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and may not be moved from the lane until the driver concludes that the movement can safely be made.
It is unlawful for any person to operate on public roadways any vehicle with an overall length, with or without load, over 40 feet, subject to the following exceptions:
a municipal transit vehicle;
an auto stage—which carries passengers or incidental baggage and freight or both, private carrier bus, school bus, or motor home with an overall length no greater than 46 feet;
an articulated auto stage with an overall length no greater than 61 feet—excluding a bike rack up to 4 feet long; and
an auto recycling carrier up to 42 feet in length manufactured prior to 2005.
It is unlawful for any person to operate on public roadways any combination of vehicles consisting of a tractor and semitrailer that has a semitrailer length over 53 feet or a combination consisting of a tractor and two trailers in which the combined length of the trailers exceeds 61 feet, with or without load, subject to certain exceptions, including specified exceptions for two trailers or semitrailers; a truck and trailer; a log truck and stinger-steered pole trailer; and vehicles transporting poles, pipe, machinery, or certain objects required for emergency public utility repair.
Federal law permits a maximum vehicle width of 8 feet on the interstate highway system, except for buses and commercial trucks, which are permitted to have a maximum vehicle width of 8.5 feet. Under state law, vehicle widths are limited to 8.5 feet on public roadways, unless a special permit is obtained for greater widths within certain maximum vehicle widths by roadway type. On two-lane roadways outside the limits of a city or town, a special permit may be obtained for vehicles with a maximum width of 14 feet.
A semitrailer includes every vehicle without motive power designed to be drawn by a vehicle, motor vehicle, or truck tractor, that is constructed so an appreciable part of its weight and its load rests on and is carried by another vehicle, motor vehicle, or truck tractor.
Summary: A "circular intersection" is defined as an intersection characterized by a circulatory roadway, encompassing the area up to the outermost curb line, or the edge of the pavement if there is no curb, and includes crosswalks. A circular intersection includes roundabouts, traffic circles, and rotaries.
The operator of certain commercial motor vehicles approaching and traveling through a circular intersection may, with due regard for other traffic, deviate from the lane in which the operator is driving.
Commercial motor vehicles authorized to deviate from the lane of travel to navigate a circular intersection include a commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, a motor vehicle designed to carry 16 passengers or more, all school buses, and any motor vehicle transporting hazardous materials.
Votes on Final Passage:
Senate | 47 | 1 | |
House | 97 | 0 |
Effective: | June 11, 2020 |