Day 38: Bill revising traffic improvements around schools goes to governor for approval

The House Floor debated Senate Bill 5687, concerning certain traffic improvements, authorizing use of automatic traffic safety cameras in school walk areas. The bill passed the Senate 25-24 on Feb. 9 and passed the House 55-42, which now makes its way to the Governor’s Office for an opportunity to be signed into law.

Brief Summary of Bill

Senate Bill Report Brief Summary

• Allows jurisdictions to establish a 20-mph speed limit on nonarterial highways without first conducting an engineering and traffic investigation.
• Requires pedestrians, when walking upon a roadway, to exercise due care to avoid colliding with any vehicle upon the roadway.
• Expands the use of automated traffic safety cameras to detect speed violations on any roadway identified in a school walk area.

House Bill Report Brief Summary

• Extends the authority to establish a maximum speed limit of 20 miles per hour (mph) on a non-arterial highway from cities and towns to all local authorities, and from non-arterial highways in residential and business districts, to all non-arterial highways.
• Authorizes the Washington State Department of Transportation to establish a maximum speed limit of 20 mph on a non-arterial state highway without making a determination based on an engineering and traffic investigation.
• Requires a pedestrian to exercise due care when walking or moving along a roadway to avoid colliding with a vehicle.
• Authorizes the use of automated traffic safety cameras to detect speed violations on roadways in school walk areas.

Click here for more SB 5687.