Collisions on Highway 395 result in Crash Prevention Zone, lowered speeds

April 16, 2026

By: C&K Trowbridge

GOVERNOR FERGUSON SIGNS TORRES’ CRASH PREVENTION BILL - Senator Nikki Torres is joined by Representative Mark Klicker, Franklin County Commissioner Stephen Bauman, WSP Trooper Dustin Drout, and Kahlotus Mayor Michael Robitaille, along with others from the house and senate in support of, as Governor Bob Ferguson signs Torres’ Crash Prevention Bill into law on March 29, 2026 in Yakima. The new speed limit signs were placed on Thursday, April 9, at Eltopia and just before King City alerting drivers that the speed limit is now 65 mph for cars and 60 mph for semi’s.

Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senator Nikki Torres’ Crash Prevention Bill into law on Thursday, March 20, as the results of the Reason Foundation’s 29th annual Highway Report were released, ranking Washington State dead last in three categories, suggesting that taxpayers spend far more than they’re getting in return.

The latest results, based on 2023 data from the Federal Highway Administration, examines road and bridge conditions nationwide across 13 categories to identify which states have the best performing and most cost-effective infrastructure. Overall, Washington State ranks 48th, just below New York and above California and Alaska. “You’re just sort of entering a maintenance death spiral,” Baruch Feigenbaum, lead author of the study and senior managing director of Reason Foundation, told The Center Square, “At a certain point in time, leadership, political leadership, I think is going to have to change the way they’re operating.”

The study came as steps began to move forward for a Crash Prevention Zone along Highway 395. The bill, SB 6066, authored by Senator Nikki Torres, along with 16th District Representative Mark Klicker, fell in line with a call to action by Franklin County Commissioners and public outcry for what was referenced as a “deadly stretch of roadway” between Eltopia and the Tri-Cities along Highway 395. This happened at the end of 2025 spurred by the death of Kahlotus council member Perrie Robitaille, among others, over the past five years.

WA Senate Bill 6066 “Crash Prevention Zones” was signed into law after passing the House (yeas 94; Nay’s 2) on March 6 and the Senate (48 yeas; 1 nays) on March 10.

The bill authorized a Crash Prevention Zone for Franklin County on the portion of U.S. Highway 395 from milepost 23 to 32 between Pasco and Mesa. The road in this zone was identified as, “…where the incidences of collision resulting in serious injuries or fatalities is greater than expected for similar roads over the previous five-year period…”

Approval was needed from the Department of Transportation (traffic and engineering investigation) which authorized speed reduction measures including erecting road signs (70 mph to 65 mph/65 mph to 60 mph) and possibly cameras with posting.

The State Patrol and local law enforcement are authorized increased enforcement in the zone to reduce speeding, reduce use of personal electronic devices while driving, and prevent crashes. Base penalty fines will be DOUBLED for infractions while driving in the zone (exceptions are for first responders including fire engines and ambulances). Registered owners of vehicles ticketed will be responsible for fines with the exception of rental cars, which will be the fault of the driver.

DRIVERS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY HAVE A NEW SPEED LIMIT - Highway 395 heading south by the Country Mercantile showcases the new 65 mile per hour speed limit signs, posted April 9, aimed to help curtail this deadly stretch of highway.

On Thursday, April 9, new signage was placed on Highway 395, southbound at the Country Mercantile, and northbound just north of King City, which lowered the regulated speed limit for vehicles from 70 miles per hour (mph) to 65 mph and semi-trucks remaining at a speed of 60 mph. The speed, northbound, returns to 70 mph for vehicles just north of Blanton Road/ Eltopia West Road near Mile Marker 37.

Despite these initial steps, many feel this will not fix the overall problem.

As has been witnessed by the Graphic’s staff, on multiple occasions, people traveling through the King City area, where the speed limit drops to 60 mph, drivers, even semi drivers, speed up rather than slow down.

SPEED ZONES - Signage returns to 70 mph north of Blanton Toad and Eltopia West Road for northbound traffic on Highway 395.

At the 70 mph speed limit posting, some drivers were stated to be going 80 or 90 mph on what feels like the average. So lowering the speed limit may not deter drivers from driving too fast for the roadway. However, it is a start. Added patrols have already been reported by drivers and the potential for cameras in the area would put added emphasis on the need to lower speed limits while driving the stretch of highway.

Paul Phillips commented online stating, “Instead of fixing the problem of accidents, the state spent money for new signs, so that our gas taxes can stay in Seattle.” Shelly Chouinard reiterated Phillips' sentiments stating, “If people still drive irresponsible or in a hurry, we are going to continue having these accidents and deaths… I’m hoping the speed change helps.”

Dayna Ochoa called the speed changes, “Just a band-aid on a bullet hole.”

Ed Moore said he was doing 65 mph, after the speed change last week, and there were “cars passing me like I was in reverse, trucks doing 75 mph, cars doing at least 80 mph…”

The real concern, according to some, is people and trucks entering the highway, who are either blocking the roadway or not paying attention to oncoming traffic which are traveling at highway speeds.

Randi Garibay added to the online discussion, “My hope is that this is just a short term solution. I know budgets and plans can’t be approved overnight.”

Garibay is correct, as was stated on December 10, 2025, in a meeting hosted by county commissioners where state and federal leaders were invited to discuss solutions and local citizens shared their concerns with the roadway. Elected officials stated it could take many years to get plans approved for roadway changes, quoting the over 20 years the state has already taken on the Highway 12 expansion project, now moving into Phase 8.

Senator Torres thanked those who spoke out at the listening session along with Franklin County Sheriff Jim Raymond, Pasco Mayor Charles Grimm, Franklin County Prosecutor Shawn Sant, among others, for their “on-the-ground insights that helped to shape a stronger, more effective bill.”

The Crash Prevention Bill is a beginning point, not only for Hwy 395 but also a stretch of Highway 12, between Tank Farm Road (outside of Burbank) to A Street (in Pasco), and Highway 12 from Attailia East Road (Wallula) to Nine Mile Canyon Road.

Senator Torres stated the bill signing marked, “a big step forward for traffic safety in Washington. I was honored to serve as the prime sponsor of the Crash Prevention Zones Bill, alongside Mark Klicker, who sponsored the companion measure.”

Toress added, “Together we’re making our roads safer for drivers, first responders, and every community across the state.”