Court Opinion

ID: 9539788
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:10:20.639601+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:59:20.820759
License: Public Domain

Rosellini, J.
(dissenting)- — -The majority concedes that the relator in open court admitted that it did use a point system for the purpose of determining when an operator’s motor vehicle license should be suspended, under RCW 46.20.290, but holds that the court cannot inquire into the existence of facts that do not appear in the record.
It is the function and inherent power of the court (whether it be trial or appellate) to take judicial notice of facts outside the record, provided they meet certain standards. In several cases courts have taken judicial notice of various records in the offices of state government. *473Waldum v. Lake Superior Terminal & Transfer R. Co., 169 Wis. 137, 170 N. W. 729 (1919); State v. Roden, 219 Wis. 132, 262 N. W. 629 (1935).
The letters, reports, and records of a department of state are documents and official records which can be judicially noticed. Carolene Products Co. v. United States, 323 U. S. 18, 89 L. Ed. 15, 65 S. Ct. 1, 155 A. L. R. 1371; Adams v. Bolin, 74 Ariz. 269, 247 P. (2d) 617, 33 A. L. R. (2d) 1102; Florida Accountants Ass’n v. Dandelake, (Fla. 1957) 98 So. (2d) 323, 70 A. L. R. (2d) 425; Southern Cotton Oil Co. v. Anderson, 80 Fla. 441, 86 So. 629, 16 A. L. R. 255.
The department of licenses for more than a decade has used a point system in evaluating a licensed operator’s driving delinquencies for the purpose of determining whether his license should be suspended after a hearing. The following is an official form of the point schedule used by the department:
Department of Licenses
Drivers Division
Point Schedule Effective December 15, 1959
Point evaluation will be made for the twenty-four (24) month period immediately preceding. Adults and juveniles will be given the same consideration.
12 points .................Warning letter
20 points .................Hearing
25 points (or more).......Suspension (after hearing)
Warning citations will be assigned no points. The following points will be assessed upon conviction and fine or forfeiture of bail, only.
Violation
Code Violation Points
01 Speed — up to 20 mph over limit (Zone under 35)...... 6
02 Speed — over 20 mph over limit (Zone under 35)....... 10
03 Speed — up to 20 mph over limit (Zone over 35)........ 5
04 Speed — over 20 mph over limit (Zone over 35)........ 8
05 Speed — too fast for conditions........................ 6
06 Speed — School Zone — up to 10 mph over limit........ 6
07 Speed — School Zone — over 10 mph over limit......... 10
08 Failure to stop ..................................... 6
09 Negligent driving reduced from drunken or reckless... 12
10 Negligent driving .................................. 10
11 Following too closely............................... 10
12 Failure to yield right of way......................... 10
*47413 Improper turn ..................................... 6
14 Improper passing .................................. 6
15 Failure to dim headlights .......................... 5
16 Failure to signal ior turn or stop.................... 5
17 Hit and run (unattended vehicle).................... 10
18 Passing stopped school bus.......................... 10
19 Impeding traffic by slow speed....................... 6
20 Driving on shoulder................................ 5
21 Improper backing .................................. 5
22 Violating license restrictions (Medical, Vision,
Equipment*) ...................................... 7
23 More persons than provided for on motorcycle........ 5
24 Owner permitting vehicle to be operated illegally...... 6
^Special vehicle equipment is usually required to compensate for a physical handicap.
The point system is a guide to selection of drivers’ records for review by the Driver Improvement Section of the Operators Division.
This schedule is self-explanatory. It is used by the department of licenses as a standard by which RCW 46.20.290 is enforced. If a licensed driver accumulates twelve points, he is sent the following letter of warning:
Louise S. Taylor Albert D. Rosellini
DIRECTOR GOVERNOR
State of Washington Department of Licenses Olympia
Driver Improvement Program
Cr#
We wish to bring to your attention the record you have established in our Drivers License Division files in order that you may protect your privilege of operating a motor vehicle upon Washington highways.
The following violations have been received and have now become a part of your permanent driving record.
Date Enforcement Agency Arrest or Warning Violation
The Motor Vehicle Law (Chapter 46.20) provides for the suspension or revocation of a license when the person to whom such license has been issued has established a record as a traffic law violator repeator or an accident-prone driver. *475Further reports of traffic law violation convictions or accidents may lead to the loss of your driving privileges.
We believe that you can and will correct your driving habits before it becomes necessary to take any further action. We feel that highway safety can best be promoted through a driver improvement program which will prevent traffic law violations and accidents before they happen. This letter, therefore, is intended to caution you to drive more safely. You must obey the speed limit and all signs regulating and directing traffic. It is our sincere hope that you will give us your cooperation. Your efforts as an individual driver are the basis of highway safety.
Very truly yours,
Drivers License Division
/s/ A. C. Bertocchini,
A. C. Bertocchini, Administrator
Upon the accumulation of twenty points, a licensed operator is notified of the time and place for the hearing by the following letter:
Louise S. Taylor director
Albert D. Bosellini governor
State of Washington Department of Licenses Olympia
Please refer your reply to the Washington State Patrol office in...........................
Notification of Hearing Cr#
A recent review of your driving record, which we maintain in accordance with the law shows a serious accumulation of violations and/or accidents. This situation, if allowed to continue, may result in your becoming involved in an accident of serious nature.
Before we take action toward suspension of your driving privilege, you are directed to appear for a hearing at which time your driving ability will be carefully analyzed. Any apparent weaknesses will be tabulated and the corrective measures outlined for improving your future driving.
This hearing will be held at the Washington State Patrol office in on between the *476hours of and and will be conducted by of the Washington State Patrol.
We are interested in the promotion of safer driving on our highways and streets and would prefer, under the right circumstances, that you retain your driving privilege. However, failure to appear on the above date without sufficient cause will necessitate prompt action against your driving privilege.
Very truly yours,
Operators License Division
/s/ A. C. Bertocchini,
A. C. Bertocchini, Administrator
At the hearing pursuant to the letter of notification, a driver’s license may be suspended or the hearing officer may grant probation.
It cannot be determined by what standards the department of licenses chooses to grant a hearing to one licensed operator before suspending his license, and to suspend the license of another operator without a hearing. However, it is obvious that the respondent’s license was suspended without a hearing, contrary to the department’s rules and regulations.
Certain it is, such a system denies to the plaintiff equal protection of the law. Tyranny through an administrative process is not only conceivable, but actual if the rules do not apply equally to everyone similarly situated.
The record of the department, as demonstrated in this opinion, does have rules and regulations by which an operator’s license can be suspended. No amount of verbal gymnastics can alter the true essence of the facts. The usual meaning of words can be stretched, contorted, and stood upside down to accomplish the purpose of the user, but the facts still remain that the department of licenses has promulgated rules and regulations to determine the standard by which an operator’s license may be suspended. The department grants a hearing to some operators before suspending their license; and in other cases, the driver’s license is suspended summarily. To my mind, this is arbi*477trary and capricious action, and the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed.
Foster, J., concurs with Rosellini, J.