Dear friends and neighbors,
It’s been a couple weeks since my last newsletter to you. We’re now in week 4 of this year’s legislative session. In a week’s time, my fellow legislators and I will begin debating bills on the House floor long into the night.
Today, I’d like to focus this newsletter on traffic safety. I’ve got a couple bills centered around this theme. I’d also like to share some video footage of me with Smokey Bear, who made a special appearance in Olympia recently, to help support my bill that would create a special license plate with the iconic bear’s face and message.
Two Traffic Safety Bills of Mine
Did you know that 2022 saw the largest number of traffic fatalities since 1990? Sadly, statistics for 2023—not yet publicly available—look even worse. Speeding and substance use are the leading factors in traffic deaths and that’s why I have introduced two bills this session to help put a stop to these contributing factors.
The first of these bills is House Bill 2384, which concerns the use of traffic cameras to crack down on speeding, the second most common risk factor in fatal crashes in our state. Speed contributes to traffic fatalities in two ways; first, it increases the likelihood of a crash since a driver has less time to react and has a narrower field of vision; and second, force increases exponentially with more speed, leading to more deaths.
My bill clarifies how cities and counties can opt to establish speed camera programs through local ordinances, while maintaining privacy protections and allowing city and county governments to reinvest revenues from traffic camera fines into safety improvements. Studies show that fixed camera sites can reduce injury by up to 25 percent and fatalities by up to 32 percent. People aware of where speed cameras are also less likely to drive recklessly.
My second traffic safety bill is House Bill 2196, which would lower the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit from its current 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent.
Utah was the first state in the country to get a law on the books about lowering BAC from 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent six years ago and the state has seen some positive aspects in lowering its traffic fatalities and getting people to change their habits before getting behind the wheel while under the influence of substances. I want the same for Washington! We all want our loved ones to make it home safely at the end of the day and this piece of legislation is one step towards making that a reality for everyone right here at home.
My Visit with Smokey Bear
A couple weeks ago, I told you about House Bill 2108, my bill that would add a Smokey Bear license plate to our state’s specialty plates. Smokey made a special appearance in Olympia recently; click here or on the image above to see me meeting him! Proceeds from sales of this plate would go towards wildfire education and prevention programs. There’s still time to sign on to the petition if you are interested in this plate. Click here to add your name.
In Service,
Rep. Brandy Donaghy