Dodging Emergency Barricades to Get More Expensive in WA

Sometimes laws are inspired or proposed because of a pressing need, or something that needs 'fixing.' This might be one of those.

Unlike Taxes, Some Laws Are Proposed Because of an Issue

We didn't see the degree of devastation like on the west side from weather this winter, but apparently a lot of west side drivers chose to bypass emergency barricades--even driving through standing water on roads.

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GOP House Rep Joshua Penner of Orting, WA saw his bill unanimously pass the State House. Penner's bill would greatly increase fines and penalties for drivers who bypass emergency barricades and road closures.

According to testimony and information related to the bill, emergency and rescue crews had to rescue a number of drivers in various areas of the west side who became stranded after driving past these barriers.

Many of them drove through standing water on roads thinking they could make it across. The bill heads to the Senate for further consideration, and could possibly make running such barricades a misdemeanor.

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF

Source: Running Emergency Barricades in WA? Fines-Penalties to Go Up