CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE related to the operation of tour and excursion vehicles; creating a new Chapter 15.66 in the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, distracted driving by motorists poses a significant risk of injury or death to motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. A tour bus driver who is narrating a tour while driving is likely to be speaking to the bus's passengers, en masse, during the vast majority of time during the tour. Further, the job of driving a tour bus is in important respects more complex than driving an automobile. Thus, the safety problems created by talking while driving are at their zenith when a tour bus driver, in addition to attending to his or her driving responsibilities, is also providing narration to passengers; and
WHEREAS, prohibiting narration by tour bus drivers in the City will reduce distracted driving and advance traffic safety by reducing the likelihood of collisions and injuries caused by distracted driving; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. A new Chapter 15.66 is added to the Seattle Municipal Code as follows:
Chapter 15.66 TOUR VEHICLE OPERATION
15.66.010 Definitions
For purposes of this Chapter 15.66:
"Amphibious tour vehicle" means 1) any DUKW amphibious vehicle, manufactured by General Motors Corporation during the years 1942 to 1945, inclusive, or similar amphibious vehicle, that has been modified by the addition of seats to transport passengers for hire; 2) any such vehicle modified for touring purposes by Amphibious Vehicle Manufacturing known as a "Stretch Duck"; 3) any amphibious vehicle manufactured by Amphibious Vehicle Manufacturing known as a "Truck Duck"; or 4) any other similar vehicle used for touring purposes.
"Charter party carrier" means every person engaged in the transportation over any public highways wholly within the limits of The City of Seattle of a group...
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