Traffic Safety for All

HB 1512 | SB 5521

The Problem

The rise in traffic collisions is concerning. Limited enforcement resources should be prioritized for the most significant contributors to fatalities and injuries is a priority, including impaired driving, distracted driving, failure to use seatbelts, and speeding. But right now, officers in Washington continue to make tens of thousands of stops for non-safety-related violations. Although all drivers may face the indignity and potential danger of a police encounter, people of color are at greater risk of being stopped and searched. Washington State Patrol data shows that officers searched the vehicles of Black drivers at twice the rate we would expect based on the proportion of Black people in the population, even though white drivers were more likely to have contraband found when searched. Non-safety-related traffic stops only exacerbate the problem, with more racial disparities than safety-related stops.

The Solution

By combining targeted enforcement with support programs, this bill strives to improve traffic safety for all road users while promoting fairness and accessibility within the system. Data suggests that prioritizing safety stops can lead to a decrease in traffic accidents and fatalities, enhance enforcement of dangerous driving behaviors, and mitigate racial disparities in traffic stops. As WCPA family member Sonia Joseph says, “We have to stop the unnecessary stops so that everyone can come home safe after a drive.”

Key Provisions

Targeted Enforcement

The bill focuses enforcement efforts on primary offenses that directly impact safety, such as moving violations, safety belt violations, and vehicles without proper license plates.

Non-moving violations are relegated to secondary enforcement, meaning they can only be addressed if a driver is stopped for a primary offense.

This shift aims to prioritize the most dangerous driving behaviors while reducing the likelihood of stops for minor infractions that disproportionately impact low-income drivers.

Support Programs for Low-Income Road Users

A grant program is established to support local initiatives providing alternative solutions for non-moving violations affecting low-income drivers.

This program includes funding for initiatives such as:

  • A statewide voucher program for bicycle helmets and lights.

  • A pilot program to offset vehicle registration renewal fees in counties with low on-time renewal rates.

  • Grants for repair vouchers and community education workshops addressing vehicle equipment violations.

These programs aim to alleviate the financial burden of non-moving violations on low-income drivers, improving compliance with vehicle codes and ensuring equitable access to transportation.

Sponsors

Senator Javier Valdez

Representative Chipalo Street

FAQ

    • Prioritizes safety stops: The bill allows law enforcement officers to stop vehicles for primary offenses that pose a direct threat to safety, such as moving violations, safety belt violations, and driving without proper license plates.

    • Limits enforcement of non-moving violations: Non-moving violations, such as expired tabs or broken tail lights, can only be enforced as a secondary action after a driver has been stopped for a primary offense.

    • Requires transparency and accountability: Officers must record and inform drivers of the primary reason for a stop, and they are limited in their ability to question drivers beyond the scope of the initial stop. The bill also mandates data collection and reporting on traffic stops, including driver demographics and the reasons for the stop

  • Non-moving violations are offenses related to vehicle equipment, registration, licensing, and inspection. Examples include expired tabs, broken headlights, or a missing mirror. While these violations can impact safety, they often result in fines and penalties that can create a significant financial burden for low-income drivers, potentially leading to a cycle of debt and difficulty maintaining legal driving status.

  • The bill establishes a grant program to support local initiatives that offer alternative solutions to traditional enforcement for non-moving violations affecting low-income drivers. These initiatives could include:

    • A statewide bicycle helmet and lighting voucher program

    • A pilot program for vehicle registration renewal fee offsets in counties with low on-time renewal rates

    • Grants for repair vouchers and community education workshops addressing vehicle equipment violations

  • Yes, the bill allows law enforcement officers to mail warnings for non-moving violations to the registered owner of a vehicle without stopping the driver, as long as the infraction was committed in the officer's presence. This provision aims to provide a less punitive approach for addressing minor infractions while still encouraging compliance with vehicle codes.

Further Reading