WA Senate passes bill to put cameras in work zones
By Terry Murry on Friday, February 24th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – A bill to authorize the use of speed safety cameras in state highway work zones passed the Washington Senate Wednesday on a bipartisan 47-2 vote. Sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Everett), Senate Bill 5272 aims to increase safety for workers on state highways.
As traffic fatalities across Washington have increased in recent years, work safety zones have also seen a staggering uptick in collisions and fatalities. The Washington State Department of Transportation reported that in 2021 alone, there were 1,232 work zone collisions – including five fatal crashes.
Speed safety cameras are already in use in Washington at locations such as school speed zones and railroad crossings.
The bill now heads to the state House of Representatives for consideration. If passed in its current form, the bill would go into effect in July 2024.
