H-356                _______________________________________________

                                                     HOUSE BILL NO. 23

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representative Sutherland

Read first time 1/13/87 and referred to Committee on Transportation.

AN ACT Relating to green lights on private cars of emergency medical personnel; and amending RCW 46.37.185 and 46.37.186.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 46.37.185, chapter 12, Laws of 1961 as amended by section 3, chapter 92, Laws of 1971 ex. sess. and RCW 46.37.185 are each amended to read as follows:

          Firemen and emergency medical personnel, when approved by the chief of their respective ((service)) fire district, shall be authorized to use a green light on the front of their private cars when on emergency duty only.  Such green light shall be visible for a distance of two hundred feet under normal atmospheric conditions and shall be of a type and mounting approved by the commission on equipment.  The use of the green light shall only be for the purpose of identification and the operator of a vehicle so equipped shall not be entitled to any of the privileges provided in RCW 46.61.035 for the operators of authorized emergency vehicles.

        Sec. 2.  Section 46.37.186, chapter 12, Laws of 1961 and RCW 46.37.186 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) No private vehicle((,)) bearing a sign or plate indicating a fire department or emergency medical connection((,)) shall be driven or operated on any public highway((,)) except when the owner thereof is a bona fide member of a fire department or emergency medical service.

          (2) Any sign or plate indicating fire department or emergency medical connection on a private car of any member of a fire department or emergency medical service shall include the name of the municipality or fire department or emergency medical organization to which the owner belongs.