Washington Automotive Wholesalers Association

The Washington Highway Users Federation opposes legislation that seeks to mandate reductionsin vehicle miles traveled (VMT).  There are currently four bills moving through the Washington Legislature that include language designed to restrict VMT: 

• SB 5735.  This is the latest version of an omnibus bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  This measure would require regional transportation planning organizations to adopt regional transportation plans that implement the state’s goals to reduce annual per capita vehicle miles traveled.

• HB 2010, SB 5138, SB 5560.  These bills would predicate state funding for certain projects on local compliance with state goals to reduce annual per capita vehicle miles traveled.

While the goal of reducing VMT may be appropriate as part of an overall strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, these bills are untimely, unnecessary, and create a number of problems for citizens, businesses, and local governments. 

Setting arbitrary goals for reducing vehicle miles traveled is the wrong approach.  The focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector should be emissions-based, not based on the number of miles driven.  Lawmakers should work to create incentives for people to make smart transportation choices instead of trying to force them out of their vehicles.  Mandating reductions in VMT would unfairly punish those who drive electric, hybrid, and other more fuel efficient vehicles, and create a disincentive to invest in these types of vehicles. 

In addition, there has been no analysis done on the impacts a reduction in annual per capita vehicle miles traveled would have on our economy, employment, personal mobility, and reduced state tax dollars for transportation. 

The Washington Highway Users Federation urges legislators to work with the business community and local governments to create a stakeholder process that facilitates a full vetting of the issues related to VMT before moving ahead with any potentially harmful legislation.    

The Washington Highway users Federation (WHUF) aggressively promotes the use of related funding to increase highway capacity and safety, releive congestion and promote economic growth with sound public investment.  More information can be found at www.whuf.org.