H-1409              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 2075

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Representatives Cantwell, S. Wilson, Wood, Walk, Heavey, Prince, K. Wilson, Sprenkle, Ferguson, Nelson and Spanel

Read first time 2/17/89 and referred to Committee on Transportation.

AN ACT Relating to motor vehicle safety; and adding a new section to chapter 47.04 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 47.04 RCW to read as follows:

          On the recommendation of their public works departments or designees, counties or cities can petition the department of transportation to create a "twenty-four hour headlight policy" on state highways in their respective jurisdictions.  The department shall develop criteria for approval or disapproval, such as traffic volume, accident statistics, and costs of signs.  The department shall notify all counties about this program.

          A jurisdiction implementing such a policy shall periodically report to the department regarding accident statistics on the designated highway.  A jurisdiction may petition the department to remove such a policy.

          The jurisdiction shall educate its citizens on the "twenty-four hour headlight policy."  The department shall place and maintain appropriate signs along the designated highway.

          The department shall periodically report to the legislative transportation committee regarding petitions and the subsequent accident statistics.   By January 1, 1995, the department shall report to the legislature on the findings of the program.