Committee hears bill to allow local "accident risk zones" as short‑term road safety tool

House Local Government Committee members on Nov. 25 heard testimony on House Bill 2,174, which would authorize counties, cities or the state Department of Transportation to designate ‘‘accident risk zones’’ on public roads with high crash histories.

The bill’s staff briefing described a three‑part approach: require a public hearing before designation; mandate engineering and traffic investigations after designation; and direct half of monetary penalties from traffic infractions inside a zone into an account dedicated to engineering, signage and enforcement in that zone. "Once an accident risk zone is established, the establishing jurisdiction or the Department of Transportation must conduct an engineering and traffic investigation of the public roads to identify safety improvements," staffer Elizabeth Renstaff told the committee.

Sponsor Rep. Mark Clicker framed the bill as a short‑term, locally driven tool to slow traffic and raise awareness while longer‑term engineering projects — overpasses, turn lanes or four‑lane conversions — are funded. Clicker cited recent fatal crashes along US‑395 and a multi‑phase upgrade on US‑12, saying the ARZs would combine visible warnings (similar to construction‑zone flashing lights), temporary speed limit adjustments and targeted enforcement. "If a city or a county needs that, it gives them the opportunity to put it in front of the people — hey, this is an accident risk zone," Clicker said.

Local officials and stakeholders who testified generally supported the concept but urged revisions. Maria Serra, public works director for the city of Pasco, described multiple fatal and serious crashes at two intersections within her jurisdiction and asked for technical edits to ensure the zones improve safety without creating additional liability. Brad Tower of a county risk pool recommended liability protections and careful documentation for engineering decisions. ABATE of Washington’s Larry Walker supported the safety aim but warned that the bill’s required "increased enforcement" language could risk targeted enforcement of motorcyclists and asked for law‑enforcement training or guidance.

Testimony included personal appeals: Michael Robitel, the mayor of Columbus speaking as a private citizen, told the committee his father was killed in a 2025 crash and urged passage. Committee members pressed the sponsor on implementation details, asking whether penalties should be mandatory for young drivers or whether alternative penalties or pilot programs might be appropriate; Clicker said language and pilot options remain under discussion with agencies.

The committee closed the public hearing on HB 2174 without taking a vote. Next steps — including any drafting changes to address liability, enforcement guidance and the penalty structure — were not decided in the hearing.