The bill seeks to strengthen the Washington Traffic Safety Commission's role in addressing roadway fatalities by designating it as a public health authority dedicated to preventing motor vehicle collisions that lead to death or serious injury. It introduces new definitions related to traffic safety, such as "bicyclist fatality" and "pedestrian fatality," and expands the commission's responsibilities to include the collection of crash reports and driver licensing records. The bill also establishes a fatality review committee to analyze traffic fatalities, ensuring confidentiality for related documents, and grants the commission immunity from civil liability for its review activities.

Furthermore, the bill amends RCW 43.59.156 to create a council focused on enhancing the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, and other nonmotorists. This council, convened by the commission, will consist of various stakeholders and is tasked with reviewing data on fatalities and serious injuries, monitoring the implementation of safety recommendations, and identifying areas for improvement in the transportation system. The council is required to meet quarterly and produce an annual report for the governor and legislative committees. Notably, the bill removes previous provisions regarding the council's review of existing databases and the inadmissibility of documents in civil proceedings, thereby streamlining its focus on safety recommendations and data collection enhancements.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 42.56.360, 43.59.010, 43.59.040, 43.59.156