Efforts to make Washington roads safer wins bipartisan support

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and Governor Jay Inslee say they are backing a package of new laws aimed at protecting workers, pedestrians and commuters.

New bills would reduce the blood alcohol concentration limit for operating a vehicle when driving, impose more restrictions on high-risk drivers and require a skills course for younger and older drivers.

Parkland mother Amber Weilert described how a drunk driver took the life of her son.

“I am here to be Michael’s voice to support him and make sure that this doesn’t happen again,” Weilert said.

She pleaded with lawmakers to think about her son and make roads safer. Lawmakers from both parties expressed support.

“Safety isn’t a partisan issue. It’s about all of us working together,” said state senator Curtis King (R-Yakima). “When you look at a list of bills that are here, most of them may have a Democratic sponsor, but I can tell you there are numerous Republican names right behind it.”

The coalition backing the package includes Inslee, state representative Jake Fey (D-Tacoma), King, state representative Andrew Barkis (R-Olympia), state senator John Lovick (D-Mill Creek), and state representative Sharlett Mena (D-Tacoma).

Many roads in Washington, such as the one in Parkland where young Michael Wielert died, put people at risk because they do not have sidewalks for pedestrian and cyclist use, according to bill advocates.

“Our transportation system is not safe. People from all communities across the state of Washington are being injured and killed at unacceptably high rates. We cannot be numb or complacent to this,” said Kelsey Mesh, the deputy director of the Transportation Choices Coalition, a statewide policy and advocacy nonprofit.

Inslee’s proposed 2023-25 budget includes $3 million to build nine crosswalk signals along SR-7, including Pacific Avenue in Parkland, where Weilert’s son died.

At 745 fatalities, last year had the highest number of traffic-related fatalities Washington has seen since 1990.

“We have a team assembled here behind me, and I believe that the state legislature this year will take significant steps to reduce this carnage on our highways,” Inslee said. “At least half of the deaths on our roadways are caused by impaired people, which is not acceptable to see.”

Senate Bill 5002, sponsored by Lovick and cosponsored by state senator Jim McCune (R-Graham), reduces the breath or blood alcohol concentration limit for operating a vehicle from 0.08 to 0.05. This includes driving under the influence of liquor, cannabis or any other drug.

“Drunk driving is a choice. You make a choice to drive drunk, and it should be embarrassing for all of us that we are losing one person every single day on our roads. By this time tomorrow, two people will be dead,” Lovick said.

To enforce these laws, Inslee said it is essential to have more regional criminal justice training centers and more trained officers.

“We owe these people safety when they’re taking care of our safety. We need additional law personnel to do the work that is necessary to remind people to be safe,” Inslee said.

Senate Bill 5272, sponsored by state senator Marko Liias (D-Everett) and cosponsored by King, authorizes the use of speed safety camera systems in state highway work zones.

An additional bill Liias introduced, Senate Bill 5583, will require young drivers from the ages of 18 to 25 to take driver’s education courses. Young drivers are the most dangerous group of drivers, and lawmakers believe that a stronger emphasis on education can reduce the number of accidents, Liias said.

Senate Bill 5560, introduced by state senator Sam Hunt (D-Olympia) creates a program where an older driver may voluntarily surrender their driver’s license before the expiration date to receive a new ID card at no cost. The bill defines an older driver as someone 70 years or older. The bill also authorizes the department of licensing to shorten the time period by which the driver’s license of an older driver expires and allows the department to require older drivers to successfully complete a knowledge and skills refresher course.

Washington State Patrol representatives, lawmakers, Inslee, construction workers, labor representatives and members of advocacy groups including Disability Rights Washington, Washington Bikes and Transportation Choices Coalition attended a press conference January 27 in support of the traffic safety bills.

“When we make roads safer for users, we particularly make them safe for people who walk and bike,” said Lee Lambert, executive director of Washington Bikes and Cascade Bicycle Club. “And we’re happy to have our partners and legislature and the governor’s office to ensure people will get home safe.”

The Washington State Journal is a non-profit website funded by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation. Learn more at wastatejournal.org.

State Attorney General Bob Ferguson and other Washington lawmakers, including House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma), state senator Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma), state representative. Sharlett Mena (D-Tacoma), state representative Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane), and state representative Darya Farivar (D-Seattle) and state senator. Emily Randall (D-Bremerton) joined protestors at their early January rally and delivered speeches on the abortion rights bills they are planning to pass this legislative session.

One bill will need voter approval. Senate Joint Bill 8202, sponsored by state senator Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines) proposes amending the state Constitution to guarantee an individual’s right to have an abortion or choose contraception. For the bill to move forward, it needs a twothirds majority in the House and Senate before being placed on a statewide ballot for approval.

“We need to face the potential consequence of not having a constitutional guarantee for reproductive freedom,” Keiser said.

Governor Jay Inslee attended his first bill hearing of the legislative session in support of SJR 8202.

“A woman’s right of choice is so fundamental. In the most intimate decision of her life, it cannot be left to the whims of who happens to sit on the bench or who happens to sit in the legislature,” Inslee said.

State senator Patty Kuderer (D-Bellevue) a cosponsor of SJR 8202, also spoke in favor of passage.

“There’s been a call to restore reproductive justice across this country from all age groups, from young people who are most impacted, to working parents and to the older population who marched and sacrificed to earn the right to

While Democrats seem mostly united in support of the measures, a large number of people across the state signed up to oppose the measure at its public hearing. For online testimony, 309 people signed on in favor, and 608 signed on in opposition. “I gave birth to a beautiful daughter who is now 27 years old. I can’t imagine this world without my daughter, and I do not live with the regret of ending a life,” said Julie Barrett, president of Conservative Ladies of Washington.

A group of 15 anti-abortion activists countered the reproductive freedom rally in early January across the street. They wore bright red T-shirts and held signs that showed photos of 10-weekold fetuses. “Am I human?” some of the signs asked.

Many people at the hearing and protest said they were shocked when Roe v. Wade was overturned.

“Reproductive freedom is not just about abortion,” said Vicki Lowe, from American Indian Health Commission for Washington State. “This is not a decision to be made by the government. I never thought to think my children and grandchildren would have fewer rights than I did. Reproductive freedom is about choosing what happens to our bodies.”

The Washington State Journal is a non-profit news website funded by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation. Learn more at wastatejournal.org.

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The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: JOHN

FREDERICK SANDERS, Deceased. No. 23-4-00071-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge David E. Freeman fraud, theft and such other items requested. This summons is issued pursuant to crlj4 of the District Court Civil Rules of the State of Washington. Respectfully submitted this 2nd day of February, 2023. CITY OF BELLINGHAM Steven Bolster 315 prospect st Unit #1521 Bellingham, WA 98227

The Administrator named below has been appointed and has qualified as Administrator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 AND 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors:

January 24, 2023 with Clerk of Court:

Date of First Publication:

Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229

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