Title 46 — Title 46 MOTOR VEHICLES
54 chapters · 1,673 sections in this title.
RCW 46.61.245 Drivers to exercise care.
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(1) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this chapter every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any roadway and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary and shall exercise proper precaution upon observing an…
RCW 46.61.250 Pedestrians on roadways.
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(1) Where sidewalks are provided and are accessible, it is unlawful for any pedestrian to walk or otherwise move along and upon an adjacent roadway. Where sidewalks are provided but wheelchair access is not available, persons with disabilities who require such access may walk or …
RCW 46.61.255 Pedestrians soliciting rides or business.
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(1) No person shall stand in or on a public roadway or alongside thereof at any place where a motor vehicle cannot safely stop off the main traveled portion thereof for the purpose of soliciting a ride for himself or herself or for another from the occupant of any vehicle.(2) It …
RCW 46.61.260 Driving through safety zone prohibited.
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No vehicle shall at any time be driven through or within a safety zone.[ 1965 ex.s. c 155 s 39.]
RCW 46.61.261 Sidewalks, crosswalks—Pedestrians, bicycles, personal delivery devices.
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(1) The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian, bicycle, or personal delivery device on a sidewalk. The rider of a bicycle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian on a sidewalk or crosswalk. A personal delivery device must yield the right-of-way t…
RCW 46.61.264 Pedestrians and personal delivery devices yield to emergency vehicles.
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(1) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.380(4) and visual signals meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.190, or of a police vehicle meeting the requirements of RCW 46.61.035(3), every…
RCW 46.61.266 Pedestrians under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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A law enforcement officer may offer to transport a pedestrian who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or any drug and who is walking or moving along or within the right-of-way of a public roadway, unless the pedestrian is to be taken into protective custody under *RCW 70…
RCW 46.61.269 Passing beyond bridge or grade crossing barrier prohibited.
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(1) No pedestrian or personal delivery device shall enter or remain upon any bridge or approach thereto beyond a bridge signal gate, or barrier indicating a bridge is closed to through traffic, after a bridge operation signal indication has been given.(2) No pedestrian or persona…
RCW 46.61.275 Reporting of certain speed zone violations—Subsequent law enforcement investigation.
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(1) A crossing guard who is eighteen years of age or older and observes a violation of RCW 46.61.235(5), 46.61.245(2), or 46.61.261(2) may prepare a written report on a form provided by the state patrol or another law enforcement agency indicating that a violation has occurred. A…
RCW 46.61.290 Required position and method of turning at intersections.
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The driver of a vehicle intending to turn shall do so as follows:(1) Right turns. Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.(2) Left turns. The driver of a vehicle intending to turn left…
RCW 46.61.295 "U" turns.
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(1) The driver of any vehicle shall not turn such vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction unless such movement can be made in safety and without interfering with other traffic.(2) No vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve, or …
RCW 46.61.300 Starting parked vehicle.
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No person shall start a vehicle which is stopped, standing or parked unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety.[ 1965 ex.s. c 155 s 42.]Notes:Rules of court: Monetary penalty schedule—IRLJ 6.2.
RCW 46.61.305 When signals required—Improper use prohibited.
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(1) No person shall turn a vehicle or move right or left upon a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety nor without giving an appropriate signal in the manner hereinafter provided.(2) A signal of intention to turn or move right or left when requi…
RCW 46.61.310 Signals by hand and arm or signal lamps.
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(1) Any stop or turn signal when required herein shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by signal lamps, except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) hereof.(2) Any motor vehicle in use on a highway shall be equipped with, and required signal shall be given by, s…
RCW 46.61.315 Method of giving hand and arm signals.
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All signals herein required given by hand and arm shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner and such signals shall indicate as follows:(1) Left turn. Hand and arm extended horizontally.(2) Right turn. Hand and arm extended upward.(3) Stop or decreas…
RCW 46.61.340 Approaching railroad grade crossings.
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(1) Whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section, the driver of such vehicle shall stop within fifty feet but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail of such railroad, and shall not proce…
RCW 46.61.345 All vehicles must stop at certain railroad grade crossings.
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The state department of transportation and local authorities within their respective jurisdictions are authorized to designate particularly dangerous highway grade crossings of railroads and to erect stop signs at those crossings. When such stop signs are erected the driver of an…
RCW 46.61.350 Approaching railroad grade crossings—Specific vehicles—Exceptions—Definition.
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(1)(a) The driver of any of the following vehicles must stop before the stop line, if present, and otherwise within fifty feet but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail at a railroad grade crossing unless exempt under subsection (3) of this section:(i) A school bus or …
RCW 46.61.355 Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossings—Notice of intended crossing.
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(1) No person shall operate or move any crawler-type tractor, steam shovel, derrick, roller, or any equipment or structure having a normal operating speed of ten or less miles per hour or a vertical body or load clearance of less than one-half inch per foot of the distance betwee…
RCW 46.61.365 Emerging from alley, driveway, or building.
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The driver of a vehicle within a business or residence district emerging from an alley, driveway or building shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving onto a sidewalk or onto the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway or driveway, and shall yield the right-of-way …
RCW 46.61.370 Overtaking or meeting school bus, exceptions—Duties of bus driver—Penalty—Safety cameras.
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(1) The driver of a vehicle upon overtaking or meeting from either direction any school bus which has stopped on the roadway for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children shall stop the vehicle before reaching such school bus when there is in operation on said s…
RCW 46.61.371 School bus stop sign violators—Identification by vehicle owner.
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If a law enforcement officer investigating a violation of RCW 46.61.370 has reasonable cause to believe that a violation has occurred, the officer may request the owner of the motor vehicle to supply information identifying the driver of the vehicle at the time the violation occu…
RCW 46.61.372 School bus stop sign violators—Report by bus driver—Law enforcement investigation.
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(1) The driver of a school bus who observes a violation of RCW 46.61.370 may prepare a written report on a form provided by the state patrol or another law enforcement agency indicating that a violation has occurred. The driver of the school bus or a school official may deliver t…
RCW 46.61.375 Overtaking or meeting private carrier bus—Duties of bus driver.
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(1) The driver of a vehicle upon overtaking or meeting from either direction any private carrier bus which has stopped on the roadway for the purpose of receiving or discharging any passenger shall stop the vehicle before reaching such private carrier bus when there is in operati…
RCW 46.61.380 Rules for design, marking, and mode of operating school buses.
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(1) The state superintendent of public instruction shall adopt and enforce rules not inconsistent with the law of this state to govern the design, marking, and mode of operation of all school buses owned and operated by any school district or privately owned and operated under co…
RCW 46.61.385 School patrol—Appointment—Authority—Finance—Insurance.
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The superintendent of public instruction, through the superintendent of schools of any school district, or other officer or board performing like functions with respect to the schools of any other educational administrative district, may cause to be appointed voluntary adult recr…
RCW 46.61.400 Basic rule and maximum limits.
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(1) No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. In every event speed shall be so controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any…
RCW 46.61.405 Decreases by secretary of transportation.
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(1) Whenever the secretary of transportation shall determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that any maximum speed hereinbefore set forth is greater than is reasonable or safe with respect to a state highway under the conditions found to exist at any i…
RCW 46.61.410 Increases by secretary of transportation—Maximum speed limit for trucks—Auto stages—Signs and notices.
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(1)(a) Subject to subsection (2) of this section the secretary may increase the maximum speed limit on any highway or portion thereof to not more than seventy-five miles per hour in accordance with the design speed thereof (taking into account all safety elements included therein…
RCW 46.61.415 When local authorities may establish or alter maximum limits.
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(1) Whenever local authorities in their respective jurisdictions determine on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that the maximum speed permitted under RCW 46.61.400 or 46.61.440 is greater or less than is reasonable and safe under the conditions found to exist…
RCW 46.61.419 Private roads—Speed enforcement.
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State, local, or county law enforcement personnel may enforce speeding violations under RCW 46.61.400 on private roads within a community organized under chapter 64.34, 64.32, or 64.38 RCW if:(1) A majority of the homeowner's association's, association of apartment owners', or co…
RCW 46.61.425 Minimum speed regulation—Passing slow moving vehicle.
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(1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law: PROVIDED, That a person following a vehicle driving at less than the lega…
RCW 46.61.427 Slow-moving vehicle to pull off roadway.
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On a two-lane highway where passing is unsafe because of traffic in the opposite direction or other conditions, a slow moving vehicle, behind which five or more vehicles are formed in a line, shall turn off the roadway wherever sufficient area for a safe turn-out exists, in order…
RCW 46.61.428 Slow-moving vehicle driving on shoulders, when.
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(1) The state department of transportation and local authorities are authorized to determine those portions of any two-lane highways under their respective jurisdictions on which drivers of slow-moving vehicles may safely drive onto improved shoulders for the purpose of allowing …
RCW 46.61.430 Authority of secretary of transportation to fix speed limits on limited access facilities exclusive—Local regulations.
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Notwithstanding any law to the contrary or inconsistent herewith, the secretary of transportation shall have the power and the duty to fix and regulate the speed of vehicles within the maximum speed limit allowed by law for state highways, designated as limited access facilities,…
RCW 46.61.435 Local authorities to provide "stop" or "yield" signs at intersections with increased speed highways—Designated as arterials.
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The governing body or authority of any such city or town or political subdivision shall place and maintain upon each and every highway intersecting a highway where an increased speed is permitted, as provided in this chapter, appropriate stop or yield signs, sufficient to be read…
RCW 46.61.440 Maximum speed limit when passing school or playground crosswalks—Penalty, disposition of proceeds.
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(1) Subject to RCW 46.61.400(1), and except in those instances where a lower maximum lawful speed is provided by this chapter or otherwise, it shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to operate the same at a speed in excess of twenty miles per hour when operating any ve…
RCW 46.61.445 Due care required.
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Compliance with speed requirements of this chapter under the circumstances hereinabove set forth shall not relieve the operator of any vehicle from the further exercise of due care and caution as further circumstances shall require.[ 1961 c 12 s 46.48.025. Prior: 1951 c 28 s 11; …
RCW 46.61.450 Maximum speed, weight, or size in traversing bridges, elevated structures, tunnels, underpasses—Posting limits.
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It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a vehicle or any combination of vehicles over any bridge or other elevated structure or through any tunnel or underpass constituting a part of any public highway at a rate of speed or with a gross weight or of a size which is greater…
RCW 46.61.455 Vehicles with solid or hollow cushion tires.
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Except for vehicles equipped with temporary-use spare tires that meet federal standards, it shall be unlawful to operate any vehicle equipped or partly equipped with solid rubber tires or hollow center cushion tires, or to operate any combination of vehicles any part of which is …
RCW 46.61.460 Special speed limitation on motor-driven cycle.
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No person shall operate any motor-driven cycle at any time mentioned in RCW 46.37.020 at a speed greater than thirty-five miles per hour unless such motor-driven cycle is equipped with a head lamp or lamps which are adequate to reveal a person or vehicle at a distance of three hu…
RCW 46.61.465 Exceeding speed limit evidence of reckless driving.
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The unlawful operation of a vehicle in excess of the maximum lawful speeds provided in this chapter at the point of operation and under the circumstances described shall be prima facie evidence of the operation of a motor vehicle in a reckless manner by the operator thereof.[ 196…
RCW 46.61.470 Speed traps defined, certain types permitted—Measured courses, speed measuring devices, timing from aircraft.
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(1) No evidence as to the speed of any vehicle operated upon a public highway by any person arrested for violation of any of the laws of this state regarding speed or of any orders, rules, or regulations of any city or town or other political subdivision relating thereto shall be…
RCW 46.61.480 Determination of maximum speed on nonlimited access state highways within tribal reservation boundaries.
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(1) Tribal authorities, within their reservation boundaries, may determine based on an engineering and traffic investigation that the maximum speed permitted under RCW 46.61.400 or 46.61.405 is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist upon a …
RCW 46.61.500 Reckless driving—Penalty.
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(1) Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. Violation of the provisions of this section is a gross misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to three hundred sixty-four days and by a…
RCW 46.61.502 Driving under the influence.
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(1) A person is guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, cannabis, or any drug if the person drives a vehicle within this state:(a) And the person has, within two hours after driving, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher as shown by analysis of th…
RCW 46.61.503 Driver under twenty-one consuming alcohol or cannabis—Penalties.
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(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a person is guilty of driving or being in physical control of a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol or cannabis if the person operates or is in physical control of a motor vehicle within this state and the person:(a) Is und…
RCW 46.61.504 Physical control of vehicle while under the influence.
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(1) A person is guilty of being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug if the person has actual physical control of a vehicle within this state:(a) And the person has, within two hours after being in actual physi…
RCW 46.61.5054 Alcohol violators—Additional fee—Distribution.
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(1)(a) In addition to penalties set forth in *RCW 46.61.5051 through 46.61.5053 until September 1, 1995, and RCW 46.61.5055 thereafter, a two hundred fifty dollar fee shall be assessed to a person who is either convicted, sentenced to a lesser charge, or given deferred prosecutio…
RCW 46.61.5055 Alcohol and drug violators—Penalty schedule.
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(1) No prior offenses in seven years. Except as provided in RCW 46.61.502(6) or 46.61.504(6), a person who is convicted of a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 and who has no prior offense within seven years shall be punished as follows:(a) Penalty for alcohol concentration …