If you live in Washington and own a car, there are certain rules that the state has put in place that could change your driving experience. Lawmakers in Washington have put together new traffic safety penalties and proposed that the new laws cater for autonomous vehicles too. The new rules aim to keep everyone safe on the road, whether or not there is a driver behind the steering wheel.
Tougher traffic fines may be hard for drivers in Washington to accept
Just to break it down for you: According to KHQ, if you are driving too close to a car in front of you and not within the expected space apart, you will be fined. This also applies to drivers who do not keep the speed limit of 10 miles an hour. Additionally, if a driver is seen using his or her electronic device while driving, penalties will be doubled, worse if it is close to a school, playground, or crosswalk speed zone.
If these rules are not obeyed and there is consistent misconduct, it will not look good for drivers. The state of Washington is fighting for a safer life on the road for its residents. Lawmakers have expressed that the stricter rules are good as a result of reckless driving, injuries and accidents that have transpired because of people not aligning with road and driving rules.
There are individuals who are in support of Washington’s new rules, stating that it will reduce the number of road faults and injuries. Critics state that the penalties are too high for individuals who have low disposable income. The truth is, whether or not you have a low or high income, rules apply to everyone and all should obey them. Safety has nothing to do with income status.
Autonomous vehicles’ ascent: Implications for Washington’s roads
Having spoken about the new road rules and lawmakers wanting to stimulate safety, one issue arises and that is about autonomous vehicles, also known as self-driving cars. The Washington State Legislature has raised concern on whether these types of cars should actually operate without a driver. There is also a chance that House Bill 1984, sponsored by Rep. Shelley Kloba, D-Kenmore might make autonomous vehicles illegal.
However, what has not triggered the execution of making them illegal is that some self-driving vehicles are still under testing and the state wants to consider that as well without quickly banning the whole initiative. Kloba also expressed that this type of technology aims to make our lives easier and people can have the opportunity to have transportation options.
Besides people having options and customising their transport choices, having a driver—like Tesla’s autonomous vehicles—will help maintain safety whenever there is an emergency. According to an article by The Chronicle, there have been incidents where these autonomous vehicles do not stop or give way for an emergency vehicle such as firefighters.
Nick Gullickson with the Washington State Council of Firefighters expressed that had the self-driving vehicles stopped or functioned in an expected road rule to give way to firefighters, some incidents would not have happened. Take note that fire doubles in size every minute and literal seconds; therefore, there is no room to take chances in such situations.
Washington’s drivers: What this means for them, now and into the future
It means they need to buckle up and maintain a safe driving method. It also means that they will all eventually be mentally trained to keep checking their driving to reduce all these accidents. Additionally, it means automotive companies that own self-driving vehicles should make a plan. Perhaps take Tesla’s initiative of having a driver present to prevent unforeseeable occurrences that will lead to regret.