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- Washington
Washington State House Passes 'Crash Prevention Zone' Bill for U.S. 12
New designation aims to reduce deadly collisions on dangerous highway stretches
Published on Mar. 9, 2026
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The Washington State House of Representatives has passed a bill that would designate two hazardous sections of U.S. Route 12 as the state's first 'crash prevention zones.' This new designation is intended to help curb the high number of deadly collisions that have occurred on those stretches of the highway.
Why it matters
U.S. Route 12 has long been considered one of the most dangerous highways in Washington state, with a history of serious and fatal accidents. The creation of 'crash prevention zones' is an effort by lawmakers to improve safety and reduce the number of collisions on this perilous roadway.
The details
The bill passed by the state House would allow the Washington State Department of Transportation to establish 'crash prevention zones' on two specific stretches of U.S. 12. These zones would implement enhanced safety measures such as increased law enforcement presence, variable speed limits, and targeted public awareness campaigns to try to prevent accidents.
- The state House of Representatives passed the 'crash prevention zone' bill on March 9, 2026.
The players
Washington State Department of Transportation
The state agency responsible for managing and maintaining Washington's transportation infrastructure, including highways like U.S. Route 12.
What’s next
The bill will now move to the state Senate for consideration. If passed by the Senate and signed into law by the governor, the Washington State Department of Transportation would begin the process of designating and implementing the 'crash prevention zones' on the identified stretches of U.S. 12.
The takeaway
This legislation represents a proactive effort by Washington state lawmakers to address the longstanding safety issues on U.S. Route 12 and try to prevent future deadly collisions through targeted interventions and increased enforcement.
