OLYMPIA, Wash. — A bill to expand the use of cameras at intersections to enforce traffic laws passed out of the House Monday night 58-39.
No Republican voted in favor of House Bill 2384.
They cited privacy concerns, and don’t like a provision that allows low-income drivers to face lower fine amounts.
Under current law, cities are allowed to use cameras to track speeders and red-light runners, but only cities with more than 500,000 people can use cameras to nab those who block intersections, crosswalks, and bus lanes.
The bill would open up that ability to all cities with more than 10,000 residents.
Under the proposal, cities would not be required to install cameras, but any funding raised by the infractions would have to go to city traffic safety projects.
According to the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission, 800 people were killed in crashes in 2022, the highest total since 1990.
Another bill aimed at reducing that figure died Tuesday afternoon.
Sen. John Lovick's bill move to lower the threshold for determining when a driver is under the influence failed to pass off the floor of the Senate ahead of Tuesday's 5 p.m. deadline.
The bill would have lowered the blood alcohol content level from .08 to .05.
Critics questioned if the move would make a difference on roadways and lobbyists for bars, and restaurants. The liquor industry said the change could put their employees at risk of over-serving customers at the .05 level.
Lovick said he would propose the bill in 2025.