Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and Governor Jay Inslee say they are backing a package of new laws aimed at protecting workers, pedestrians and commuters.
New bills would reduce the blood alcohol concentration limit for operating a vehicle when driving, impose more restrictions on high-risk drivers and require a skills course for younger and older drivers.
Parkland mother Amber Weilert described how her mother was struck and killed in a crosswalk while riding his bicycle.
“I am here to be Michael’s voice to support him and make sure that this doesn’t happen again,” Weilert said.
She pleaded with lawmakers to think about her son and make roads safer. Lawmakers from both parties expressed support.
“Safety isn’t a partisan issue. It’s about all of us working together,” said state senator Curtis King (R-Yakima). “When you look at a list of bills that are here, most of them may have a Democratic sponsor, but I can tell you there are numerous Republican names right behind it.”
The coalition backing the package includes Inslee, state representative Jake Fey (D-Tacoma), King, state representative Andrew Barkis (R-Olympia), state senator John Lovick (D-Mill Creek), and state representative Sharlett Mena (D-Tacoma).
Many roads in Washington, such as the one in Parkland where young Michael Wielert died, put people at risk because they do not have sidewalks for pedestrian and cyclist use, according to bill advocates.
“Our transportation system is not safe. People from all communities across the state of Washington are being injured and killed at unacceptably high rates. We cannot be numb or complacent to this,” said Kelsey Mesher, the deputy director of the Transportation Choices Coalition, a statewide policy and advocacy nonprofit.
Inslee’s proposed 2023-25 budget includes $3 million to build nine crosswalk signals along SR-7, including Pacific Avenue in Parkland, where Weilert’s son died.
At 745 fatalities, last year had the highest number of traffic-related fatalities Washington has seen since 1990.
“We have a team assembled here behind me, and I believe that the state legislature this year will take significant steps to reduce this carnage on our highways,” Inslee said. “At least half of the deaths on our roadways are caused by impaired people, which is not acceptable to see.”
Senate Bill 5002, sponsored by Lovick and cosponsored by state senator Jim McCune (R-Graham), reduces the breath or blood alcohol concentration limit for operating a vehicle from 0.08 to 0.05. This includes driving under the influence of liquor, cannabis or any other drug.
“Drunk driving is a choice. You make a choice to drive drunk, and it should be embarrassing for all of us that we are losing one person every single day on our roads. By this time tomorrow, two people will be dead,” Lovick said.
To enforce these laws, Inslee said it is essential to have more regional criminal justice training centers and more trained officers.
“We owe these people safety when they’re taking care of our safety. We need additional law personnel to do the work that is necessary to remind people to be safe,” Inslee said.
Senate Bill 5272, sponsored by state senator Marko Liias (D-Everett) and cosponsored by King, authorizes the use of speed safety camera systems in state highway work zones.
An additional bill Liias introduced, Senate Bill 5583, will require young drivers from the ages of 18 to 25 to take driver’s education courses. Young drivers are the most dangerous group of drivers, and lawmakers believe that a stronger emphasis on education can reduce the number of accidents, Liias said.
Senate Bill 5560, introduced by state senator Sam Hunt (D-Olympia) creates a program where an older driver may voluntarily surrender their driver’s license before the expiration date to receive a new ID card at no cost. The bill defines an older driver as someone 70 years or older. The bill also authorizes the department of licensing to shorten the time period by which the driver’s license of an older driver expires and allows the department to require older drivers to successfully complete a knowledge and skills refresher course.
Washington State Patrol representatives, lawmakers, Inslee, construction workers, labor representatives and members of advocacy groups including Disability Rights Washington, Washington Bikes and Transportation Choices Coalition attended a press conference January 27 in support of the traffic safety bills.
“When we make roads safer for users, we particularly make them safe for people who walk and bike,” said Lee Lambert, executive director of Washington Bikes and Cascade Bicycle Club. “And we’re happy to have our partners and legislature and the governor’s office to ensure people will get home safe.”
The Washington State Journal is a non-profit website funded by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation. Learn more at wastatejournal.org.
This article was updated on February 2.
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