SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5907
As of January 25, 2022
Title: An act relating to roadside safety measures and public awareness of emergency vehicles providing roadside assistance.
Brief Description: Concerning roadside safety measures and public awareness of emergency vehicles providing roadside assistance.
Sponsors: Senators Wilson, J., Lovick, Fortunato, Lovelett, Randall, Salda?a, Stanford and Wilson, L..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/25/22.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires drivers to reduce their speed when approaching an emergency or work zone on a highway having four or more lanes.
  • Requires the Department of Licensing to develop an appropriate training module relating to the requirement to move over and reduce speed when approaching an emergency or work zone.
  • Requires an increase in the use of roadway signage and electronic display sign boards along roadways to reflect the emergency or work zone requirements.
  • Requires the development of a statewide public awareness campaign about the slow down and move over law.  
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Staff: Kelly Simpson (786-7403)
Background:

An emergency or work zone is defined as the adjacent lanes of the roadway 200 feet before and after:

  • a stationary authorized emergency vehicle using audible or visual signals, or both;
  • a tow truck using visual red lights;
  • other vehicles providing roadside assistance using warning lights with 360 degree visibility;
  • a police vehicle properly and lawfully displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating emergency light or lights; or
  • a stationary or slow moving highway construction vehicle, highway maintenance vehicle, solid waste vehicle, or utility service vehicle using flashing lights or warning lights with 360 degree visibility.  

 
Drivers approaching an emergency or work zone must proceed with caution and, if the opportunity exists, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change or moving away from the lane or shoulder occupied by an emergency or work zone vehicle.  If approaching the emergency or work zone on a highway having less then four lanes, the driver must also reduce the speed of the vehicle.  If changing lanes or moving away would be unsafe, the driver must proceed with due caution and reduce the speed of the vehicle to at least 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.  
Summary of Bill:

When approaching an emergency or work zone on a highway having four or more lanes, drivers must reduce the speed of the vehicle in addition to proceeding with caution and moving away from the emergency or work zone vehicle.

 

The Department of Licensing (DOL) must develop an appropriate training module, for inclusion in all new driver training curriculums, relating to the requirements that apply when approaching an emergency or work zone. 

 

At the time of renewal of a driver license or commercial driver license, DOL must require applicants to affirmatively acknowledge having read and understood the requirements that apply when approaching an emergency or work zone.

 

DOL must substantially increase the use of roadway signage and electronic display sign boards along roadways to reflect the emergency or work zone requirements.

 

DOL and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission must develop a statewide public awareness campaign to inform and educate Washington citizens about the slow down and move over law.  
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 20, 2022.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO:  Drivers are often unaware of the requirements around approaching an emergency or work zone.  The law is intended to save lives.  This is an education bill to help raise public awareness of the requirements.  The bill requires drivers to understand and acknowledge the requirements of the move over law.  Other states have media campaigns to educate drivers about the move over law and Washington should too.  The bill provides more signage along highways to remind drivers of the move over requirements.  Many tow truck operator friends have died from drivers not moving over and hitting tow operators along the highways.  Protecting tow truck operators is of utmost importance.   
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Jeff Wilson, Prime Sponsor; Nathan Ogle, Dick’s Towing, Wenatchee; Ron Jake, Bethel Towing, Port Orchard; Peter Lukevich, TRAW; Jennifer Cook, AAA Washington; Jesse Pauley, AAA Washington.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.