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WASHINGTON STATE SPEEDING LAWS
Experienced Washington State Speeding and Traffic Ticket Attorneys
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(425) 455-2040
(253) 852-1661
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The Law Offices of Jason S. Newcombe
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WASHINGTON STATE'S SPEEDING LAWS.
Washington State's speeding laws can be found in the Rules of the Road section of the Revised Code of Washington. Specifically, RCW 46.61.400 details Washington's speeding statute.Washington State's primary speeding law, RCW 46.61.400 is not Washington only law dealing with speeding on its roads and highways. It is, however, by far the most common statute that is cited when a person is alleged to have been speeding. Washington State's traffic laws have a number of provisions where speeding in and of itself, depending on the specific conditions, can give rise to other infractions or even crimes.
For example, if the speeding occurs within a school zone, it is highly likely that a person will not be cited under Washington State's speeding law. Instead, they will probably be cited under the Washington school zone traffic law, which can be found in RCW 46.61.440. This WA speeding law is entitled "Maximum speed limit when passing school or playground crosswalks — Penalty, disposition of proceeds."
RCW 46.61.400
Basic rule and maximum limits.
(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 person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.
(2) Except when a special hazard exists that requires lower speed for compliance with subsection (1) of this section, the limits specified in this section or established as hereinafter authorized shall be maximum lawful speeds, and no person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed in excess of such maximum limits.
(a) Twenty-five miles per hour on city and town streets;
(b) Fifty miles per hour on county roads;
(c) Sixty miles per hour on state highways.
The maximum speed limits set forth in this section may be altered as authorized in RCW 46.61.405, 46.61.410, and 46.61.415.
(3) The driver of every vehicle shall, consistent with the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, drive at an appropriate reduced speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railway grade crossing, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, and when special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions.
[1965 ex.s. c 155 § 54; 1963 c 16 § 1. Formerly RCW 46.48.011.]
Notes:
Rules of court: Monetary penalty schedule -- IRLJ 6.2.
Saving of existing orders, etc., establishing speed limits -- 1963 c 16: "This act shall not repeal or invalidate existing orders and resolutions of the state highway commission or existing resolutions and ordinances of local authorities establishing speed limits within their respective jurisdictions." [1963 c 16 § 7. Formerly RCW 46.48.016.]
Here's what the Washington State Department of Transportation says about Washington State's Speeding Laws.
Speed Limits
State law (RCW 46.61.400) sets Washington’s basic speed law and the maximum speed limits for state highways, county roads, and city streets. The statute also authorizes agencies to raise or lower these maximum speed limits, when supported by an engineering and traffic investigation.
Most states have a basic speed law which recognizes that driving conditions and speeds may vary widely from time to time. No posted speed limit can adequately serve all driving conditions. Motorists must constantly adjust their driving behavior to fit the conditions they meet. Speed limits encourage consistent travel speeds, fostering safety for the traveling public by reducing the speed differentials between motor vehicles.
Speed limits reflecting the speed most motorists naturally drive are selected in part by determining the “85 th percentile speed” (the speed that 85 out of 100 vehicles travel at or below). This method is based on the principle that reasonable drivers will consider roadway and roadside conditions when selecting travel speeds.
When setting speed limits, engineers also consider other factors like:
Roadway characteristics, shoulder condition, grade, alignment, and sight distance
Roadside development and lighting
Parking practices, e.g., angle parking, and pedestrian and bicycle activity
Collision rates and traffic volume trends
Right lane/entering traffic conflicts (for freeways)
The range of travel speeds is reduced when speed limits are set near the 85 th percentile speed and adjusted for the other influencing factors.
If you are concerned about a speed limit, contact the appropriate public agency. For state highways contact the Washington State Department of Transportation, and for city streets or county roads contact the agency’s public works or transportation department.
The agency may conduct the engineering and traffic investigation required by law to establish a speed zone, including speed studies, collision history, and an investigation of the other highway, traffic, and roadside conditions.
Here is what the Washington State Police say and advise regarding speeding and road rage.
Introduction:
Society is moving at a faster pace now than in the past. Many people are always in a hurry and do not feel like they have time to slow down and relax. This may be due to the self-imposed desire to maintain a competitive edge over their perceived competition or because of competing demands on people's daily schedules.
Whatever the reasons may be, this attitude can place those who share the roadway in jeopardy. The design and structure of our neighborhoods require us, typically, to use a vehicle for our daily transportation needs. It is becoming more difficult, if not totally impossible, in most areas of the country, for people to walk to the local grocery store or a job. Without a means of transportation today, it is very difficult to function on a daily basis.
When we couple this with society's becoming accustomed to instantaneous communications, the problem becomes more pronounced. We are constantly under ever-increasing time and work pressures. In this environment, weekday driving may be seen as one of the last blocks of perceived wasted time. Some people continue working while behind the wheel, using cellular phones and dictating machines. This presents serious problems on the roadway due to the driver being distracted from the full time job of driving. It is possible the increased value of time is causing us to be much more aggressive on the road than ever before, especially during commuting hours. Some drivers see the traffic ahead of them as an obstacle to overcome at any cost. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
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Definitions:
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the definitions of aggressive driving and road rage are as follows:
Aggressive Driving
"The commission of two or more moving violations that is likely to endanger other persons or property, or any single intentional violation that requires a defensive reaction of another driver."
Road Rage
"An assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger(s) of one motor vehicle on the operator or passenger(s) of another motor vehicle caused by an incident that occurred on a roadway."
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Road Rage and Aggressive Driving Symptoms:
- Mentally condemning or thought of violence toward other drivers.
- Verbally expressing condemnation of other drivers to passengers in your vehicle.
- Not obeying traffic safety rules, because you don't agree with them.
- Engage in aggressive and risky driving:
- Following too close.
- Speeding.
- Weaving in and out of traffic.
- Speeding up to beat a traffic light.
- Cutting between vehicles to change lanes.
- Using the horn excessively.
- Flashing headlights excessively at oncoming traffic.
- Braking to get others to back off your bumper.
- Passing traffic and then slowing to teach the other driver a lesson.
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What Can You Do?
Aggressive driving has become a serious public safety threat in communities in Washington State. Throughout the WA State, law enforcement administrators, traffic safety experts, public health officials, mayors, state legislators, and governors are being enlisted to help find a solution.
In an effort to address this issue in Washington State , the State Patrol has established an e-mail address or citizens to use to alert the WSP as to where they feel aggressive drivers are endangering the roadways. If you have witnessed or been a victim of multiple aggressive driving acts in one area, the Washington State Police want you to know that you can report aggressive driving on-line by providing them with detailed information about the area(s) you are concerned with.
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Reporting an Aggressive Driver to the Police
If you have witnessed or been a victim of one aggressive driving act you can call 911 or the Washington State Patrol and provide the following information that is needed by law enforcement:
The location that you last saw the vehicle.
- Direction of travel (toward where).
- What road or highway.
- Color/colors of the vehicles.
- Were weapons involved?
- What happened?
- Are you a victim or a witness?
If you have witnessed or been a victim of multiple aggressive driving acts in one area, you can report aggressive driving on-line. By providing us with detailed information about the area(s) you are concerned with, the WSP can focus on areas in which aggressive drivers endangering the roadways.
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What is the WSP Doing to Battle Aggressive Driving/Road Rage?
The Washington State Patrol started its aggressive driving program on Memorial Day weekend, 1998. The Field Operations Bureau (FOB) Aggressive Driving Apprehension Team (ADAT) program is a proactive effort to locate and arrest those drivers who drive aggressively.
Apprehending aggressive drivers is one of the four FOB Core Missions:
- Reduce DUI's
- Reduce incidents of aggressive driving
- Reduce incidents of dangerous speeding
- Increase seat belt compliance
The ADAT program utilizes unmarked/unconventional police vehicles equipped with mobile video cameras to detect and apprehend aggressive drivers. There are currently 40 ADAT cars located throughout Washington State. These vehicles are strategically located in each of the eight districts where data shows aggressive driving is most likely to occur.
Data shows that these vehicles are very effective in the detection of the aggressive driver. Currently, these 40 vehicles account for 40% of the total aggressive driving arrests made by troopers statewide.
The Commercial Vehicle Division (CVD) also utilizes unmarked patrol vehicles to combat aggressively driven commercial vehicles and cars driving in a hazardous manner around commercial vehicles.
CVD statistics show that in 2002, 76% of the fatality collisions and 45% of the injury collisions involving a commercial vehicle and a passenger car were the fault of the passenger car. Through the use of ADAT vehicles and the “Step Up and Ride” program (where troopers ride in commercial vehicles and call out passenger car violations to waiting troopers), CVD is actively addressing the problem of aggressive driving.
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Safety Tips
The Washington State Police recommend the following actions to ensure safety and reduce the temptation to violate our state's speeding laws.
- Allow plenty of time for the trip, listen to soothing music, improve the comfort in your vehicle, and understand that you cannot control the traffic, only your reaction to it. In the end, we may very well discover that personal frustration, anger, and impatience may be the most dangerous "drugs" on the highway.
- Be polite and courteous, even if the other driver is not. Avoid all conflict if possible. If another driver challenges you, take a deep breath and move out of the way. Never underestimate the other driver's capacity for mayhem.
- When entering traffic or changing lanes, make sure that you have enough room.
- Make sure you have established a safe following distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
- Don't make aggressive hand gestures to the other drivers when they offend you with their driving.
- Signal when turning or changing lanes.
- Control your anger; remember it takes two to start a fight.
- Avoid prolonged eye contact with the bad or angry driver.
- Get help. Call police on your cell phone or go to a public telephone or place. Don't pull to the side of the road.
- Forget about winning. No one wins in a highway crash.
- Put yourself in the other driver's shoes. They may be driving that way because of an actual emergency!
A few more words about speeding and aggressive driving in Washington State.
The simple truth it that it does not take long to find examples of aggressive driving on Washington State's highways. If you are like most of the citizens of WA state, you see it every day – the road racer, the distracter, the tailgater, the frequent lane changer, the red light runner.
The atmosphere created by aggressive drivers is scary. Washington State's speeding laws are partially designed to address the issue of aggressive driving because one its most common manifestations is excessive violation of the state's basic speed limits.
Everywhere You Look In WA State, Aggressive Driving Is All Around Us.
We have all seen aggressive drivers who carelessly put us all in danger. These driver's exhibit a number of similar characteristics:
- The frequently express frustration. Drivers climb into the anonymity of an automobile and take out their frustrations on anybody at any time. Their emotions are high, and their concern for their fellow motorists is low.
- They lack attention to driving. Distractions from driving are a major cause of roadway crashes. Motorists are often seen eating, drinking, primping – yes, even shaving – as they drive. Some drivers make their automobiles a “home away from home,” with fax machines and laptop computers.
- They tailgate. Tailgating creates a serious hazard. It is a major cause of crashes that can result in serious injuries.
- They make frequent, unnecessary lane changes. Drivers who whip in and out of lanes merely to advance one car length ahead are a danger to other motorists.
- They run red lights. Disregarding traffic controls is a leading cause of urban crashes.
- They speed excessively. Going faster than the posted speed limit, being a “road racer,” going too fast for conditions, and weaving in and out of traffic are some examples of speeding.