Senate committee hears bill to let cities and WSDOT create 'crash prevention zones' with higher penalties

The Senate Transportation Committee held a public hearing on Substitute Senate Bill 6,066, a measure that would authorize counties, cities, towns and the Washington State Department of Transportation to create designated "crash prevention zones" at stretches of roadway with multiple serious or fatal collisions.

Brandon Popovac, staff to the committee, told members the bill allows jurisdictions to map zones, require engineering and traffic investigations, identify safety improvements (including possible speed‑limit adjustments), and direct state and local law enforcement to coordinate enforcement within zones. Popovac said the bill increases the monetary penalty tied to speeding or collision‑related infractions committed inside a zone by $73 and directs that $73 to be deposited into an account administered by the creating jurisdiction to pay for engineering studies, outreach and signage. He described dissolution options for zones, including removal once safety improvements are implemented, a WSDOT recommendation, or a petition by 10% of abutting property owners or businesses.

"What this bill does is it authorizes a county, city or town or Department of Transportation to create a crash prevention zone within its jurisdiction by identifying public roads where there have been a multitude of collisions that cause serious injuries or fatalities," Popovac told the committee.

Prime sponsor Senator Nikki Torres said the measure was prompted by a high‑crash corridor on U.S. 395 near Pasco. "According to the Washington State Patrol, in 2021 alone, there were more than 250 crashes along this corridor," Torres said, adding that the stretch has become known for frequent and severe collisions and that constituents had asked the legislature to act. Torres said she has coordinated with the Washington State Patrol, WSDOT, the City of Pasco, Franklin County elected officials and law enforcement in developing the proposal.

City of Pasco public works director Maria Serra testified in strong support, describing recent fatal and serious collisions on U.S. 12 and U.S. 395 and urging the committee to consider strengthening the penalty structure. "We think the penalty should not be capped at $73; it should be double fines like it is in construction zones," Serra said, urging clarifying language so the $73 is not interpreted as a cap on penalties but as an additional penalty amount.

Supporters including the county risk‑pool also said the bill gives local officials a practical framework to take action earlier. Opponents questioned whether the measure creates a new layer of government or serves primarily as a revenue generator rather than a safety tool; one testifier argued that local jurisdictions should address safety concerns directly.

There was a fiscal note to the original bill and Popovac said additional outreach and signage could cost approximately $105,000 in some cases; staff described the broader fiscal and revenue impacts as indeterminate because zones would be optional.

The committee did not take a vote. Chair Elias closed the public hearing and moved to the next bill on the agenda.