Questions About Your Washington State Traffic Ticket?
Contact Us.
Washington State Traffic Ticket Lawyers
|
Questions About Your Washington State Traffic Ticket?
Contact Us.
|
The Law Offices of Jason S. Newcombe
We will do everything possible to get your WA State speeding or traffic ticket dismissed.
The cold hard truth about Washington State's speeding laws and traffic penalties is that when you get right down to it often seems as if the primary driving force behind the whole system is generating revenue. The cities and the counties that enforce Washington's traffic laws are making millions and millions of dollars every year.
Yes, there is a deterrent element. Frankly, however, if deterrence were the primary motivation, it would seem as if every court in Washington would have as its primary punishment a form of educational awareness. The laws would also be rewritten to require frequent offenders to either obey the traffic laws or risk automatic suspension of their driving privileges much sooner than the current laws allow. Currently, under Washington State's Habitual Offender statute, you have to get twenty or more moving violations before your license will be revoked for seven years.
Now, the Department of Licensing will suspend your license for a period of two months if you get six moving violations within any 12-month period. But the suspension is only for 60 days. Accordingly, if public safety and determent were really the primary motivations behind Washington State's traffic penalties, don't you think that the laws would be just a bit stricter?
Instead, however, money really seems to be driving everything. Of course, no on will ever admit this to the public.
Washington State Speeding and Traffic Ticket Penalties
|
|
Total Penalty |
|
|
Unlisted Traffic Infractions |
$124.00 |
|
|
Unlisted Non-traffic Infractions |
$87.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Traffic Infractions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Degree Negligent Driving (RCW 46.61.525) |
$550.00 |
|
|
Wrong way on freeway (RCW 46.61.150) |
$411.00 |
|
|
Wrong way on freeway access (RCW 46.61.155) |
$216.00 |
|
|
Backing on limited access highway (RCW 46.61.605) |
$216.00 |
|
|
Spilling or failure to secure load (RCW 46.61.655) |
$216.00 |
|
|
Throwing or depositing debris on highway (RCW 46.61.645) |
$216.00 |
|
|
Disobeying school patrol (RCW 46.61.385) |
$216.00 |
|
|
Passing stopped school bus (with red lights flashing) (RCW 46.61.370) |
$394.00 |
|
|
Violation of posted road restriction (RCW 46.44.080; RCW 46.44.105(4)) |
$411.00 |
|
|
Switching license plates, loan of license or use of another's (RCW 46.16.240) |
$216.00 |
|
|
Altering or using altered license plates (RCW 46.16.240) |
$216.00 |
|
|
Operator's Licenses (RCW 46.20) |
|
|
|
No Valid Driver's License (With Identification) (RCW 46.20.015) |
$550.00 |
|
|
All other RCW 46.20 infractions |
$124.00 |
|
|
Vehicle Licenses (RCW 46.16) |
|
|
|
Expired Vehicle License (RCW 46.16.010) |
|
|
|
Two months or less |
$124.00 |
|
|
Over 2 months |
$216.00 |
|
|
Speeding (RCW 46.61.400) if speed limit is over 40 m.p.h. |
|
|
|
1‑5 m.p.h. over limit |
$93.00 |
|
|
6‑10 m.p.h. over limit |
$113.00 |
|
|
11‑15 m.p.h. over limit |
$144.00 |
|
|
16‑20 m.p.h. over limit |
$175.00 |
|
|
21‑25 m.p.h. over limit |
$206.00 |
|
|
26‑30 m.p.h. over limit |
$247.00 |
|
|
31‑35 m.p.h. over limit |
$298.00 |
|
|
36‑40 m.p.h. over limit |
$349.00 |
|
|
Over 40 m.p.h. over limit |
$411.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Speeding if speed limit is 40 m.p.h. or less |
|
|
|
1‑5 m.p.h. over limit |
$113.00 |
|
|
6‑10 m.p.h. over limit |
$124.00 |
|
|
11‑15 m.p.h. over limit |
$154.00 |
|
|
16‑20 m.p.h. over limit |
$195.00 |
|
|
21‑25 m.p.h. over limit |
$247.00 |
|
|
26‑30 m.p.h. over limit |
$298.00 |
|
|
31‑35 m.p.h. over limit |
$349.00 |
|
|
Over 35 m.p.h. over limit |
$411.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Speed Too Fast for Conditions (RCW 46.61.400(1))
|
$124.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rules of the Road |
|
|
|
Failure to stop (RCW 46.61.050.) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Failure to stop on approach of emergency vehicle (RCW 46.61.210) |
$1,062.00 |
|
|
Failure to yield the right of way (RCW 46.61.180, .185, .190, .205, .235, .300, .365) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Failure to yield the right of way on approach of emergency vehicle (RCW 46.61.210) |
$1,062.00 |
|
|
Following too close (RCW 46.61.145, .635) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Failure to signal (RCW 46.61.310) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Improper lane usage or travel (RCW 46.61.140) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Impeding traffic (RCW 46.61.425) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Improper passing (RCW 46.61.110, .115, .120, .125, .130) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Prohibited and improper turn (RCW 46.61.290, .295, .305) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Crossing double yellow line left of center line (RCW 46.61.100, .130, .140) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Operating with obstructed vision (RCW 46.61.615) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Wrong way on one‑way street (RCW 46.61.135) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Failure to comply with restrictive signs (RCW 46.61.050) |
$124.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accident |
|
|
|
If an accident occurs in conjunction with any of the listed rules‑of‑the‑road infractions or speed too fast for conditions, the penalty for the infraction shall be: |
$175.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment (RCW 46.37) |
|
|
|
Illegal use of emergency equipment (RCW 46.37.190) |
$216.00 |
|
|
Defective or modified exhaust systems, mufflers, prevention of noise and smoke (RCW 46.37.390(1) and (3)) |
|
|
|
First offense (the penalty may be waived upon proof to the court of compliance) |
$134.00 |
|
|
Second offense within 1 year of first offense |
$175.00 |
|
|
Third and subsequent offenses within 1 year of first offense |
$216.00 |
|
|
Any other equipment infraction (RCW 46.37.010) |
$124.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Motorcycles |
|
|
|
Any infraction relating specifically to motorcycles (including no valid endorsement, RCW 46.20.500) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Parking |
|
|
|
Illegal parking on roadway (RCW 46.61.560) |
$30.00 |
|
|
Any other parking infraction (not defined by city or county ordinance) |
$20.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pedestrians |
|
|
|
Any infraction regarding pedestrians (not defined by city or county ordinance) |
$56.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bicycles |
|
|
|
Any infraction regarding bicycles |
$103.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Load Violations |
|
|
|
(all under RCW 46.44, except over license capacity) (See RCW 46.16) |
|
|
|
Over legal--tires, wheelbase (RCW 46.44.105(1)) |
|
|
|
(First offense) |
$185.00 |
|
|
(Second offense) |
$247.00 |
|
|
(Third offense) |
$277.00 |
|
|
In addition to the above (RCW 46.44.105(2)). See statute for additional per pound penalty amounts. |
|
|
|
Over license capacity (RCW 46.16.145) |
|
|
|
(First offense) |
$154.00 |
|
|
(Second offense) |
$247.00 |
|
|
(Third offense) |
$277.00 |
|
|
Violation of special permit |
$175.00 |
|
|
Failure to obtain special permit |
$175.00 |
|
|
Failure to submit to being weighed |
$175.00 |
|
|
Illegal vehicle combination (RCW 46.44.036) |
$175.00 |
|
|
Illegally transporting mobile home |
$175.00 |
|
|
Any other infraction defined in RCW 46.44 |
$144.00 |
|
|
Violation of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (RCW 46.32.010) |
|
|
|
Logbook/Medical Certificate |
$179.00 |
|
|
Equipment/All Others |
$124.00 |
|
|
Private Carrier (RCW 46.73) |
|
|
|
Failure to display valid medical exam |
$179.00 |
|
|
Violation of daily log book |
|
|
|
Driver not out of service |
$179.00 |
|
|
Driver out of service |
$232.00 |
|
|
Off‑Road Vehicles (ATVs) (RCW 46.09) |
|
|
|
Any RCW 46.09 infraction |
$134.00 |
|
|
Snowmobiles (RCW 46.10) |
|
|
|
Any RCW 46.10 infraction |
$134.00 |
|
|
Failure to respond to notice of infraction or failure to pay penalty (RCW 46.63.110(3)) |
$52.00 |
|
|
Failure to provide proof of motor vehicle insurance (RCW 46.30.020) |
$550.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) Commercial Vehicle Infractions |
|
|
|
Defective Equipment/Driver Safety (auto transp.) (WAC 480‑30‑095) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Commercial Vehicle License (auto transp.) (WAC 480‑30‑095(1)) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Defective Equipment/Driver Safety (charter/excursion bus) (WAC 480‑40‑075) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Commercial Vehicle License (charter/excursion bus) (WAC 480‑40‑075(1)) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Defective Equipment/Driver Safety (solid waste transp.) (WAC 480‑70‑400) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Commercial Vehicle License (solid waste transp.) (WAC 480‑70‑400(1)) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Failure To Have Proof of Insurance (RCW 81.80.190) |
$513.00 |
|
|
Defective Equipment/Driver Safety (WAC 480‑12‑180) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Commercial Vehicle License (WAC 480‑12‑180(1)) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Defective Equipment/Driver Safety (limousine) (WAC 480‑35‑090) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Commercial Vehicle License (limousine) (WAC 480‑35‑090(1)) |
$87.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3) Parks and Recreation Infractions |
|
|
|
|
Display of Snowmobile Registration Number, Decals, and Validation Tabs |
$150.00 |
|
|
(WAC 308-94-050) |
|
|
|
Off-Road Vehicle Traffic Prohibited (WAC 332-52-030(4)) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Travel Off-Road or Off-Trail (WAC 332-52-030(4)(c)) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Spark-Arresting Muffler Required (WAC 332-52-030(4)(h)) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Yield Right of Way to: |
|
|
|
Log Hauling and Gravel Trucks (WAC 332-52-030(4)(l)) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Animal-Drawn Vehicles/Persons Riding Animals (WAC 332-52-030(4)(l)) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Following Closer Than 150 Feet (WAC 332-52-030(4)(m)) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Moving Through Livestock Herd Without Direction (WAC 332-52-030(4)(o)) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Parking on the Traveled Portion of the Roadway (WAC 332-52-030(4)(q)) |
$30.00 |
|
|
Excessively Rev Vehicle Engine (WAC 332-52-030(4)(r)) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Driving/Parking Vehicles (WAC 332-52-050(1)) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Bicycles/Motorbikes/Motorcycles on Posted Trails (WAC 332-52-050(3)) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Driving Motor Vehicle in Camp (WAC 332-52-050(4)) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Moorage and Use of Marine Facilities (WAC 352-12-010) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Moorage Fees (WAC 352-12-020) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Seasonal Permits (WAC 352-12-030) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Use of Onshore Campsites (WAC 352-12-040) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Self-Registration (WAC 352-12-050) |
$138.00 |
|
|
Parking (WAC 352-20-010) |
$24.00 |
|
|
Motor Vehicles on Roads and Trails (WAC 352-20-020) |
$175.00 |
|
|
Speed Limits (WAC 352-20-030) |
$124.00 |
|
|
Vehicles in Snow Areas (WAC 352-20-040) |
$138.00 |
|
|
Trucks and Commercial Vehicles (WAC 352-20-050) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Camping (WAC 352-32-030) |
$138.00 |
|
|
Campsite Reservation (WAC 352-32-035) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Picnicking (WAC 352-32-040) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Park Periods (Unlawful Entry) (WAC 352-32-050) |
$138.00 |
|
|
Park Capacities (WAC 352-32-053) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Peace and Quiet (WAC 352-32-056) |
$138.00 |
|
|
Pets (WAC 352-32-060) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Horseback Riding (WAC 352-32-070) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Use of Nonmotorized Cycles or Similar Devices in State Parks (WAC 352-32-075) |
$87.00 |
|
|
Swimming (WAC 352-32-080) |
$87.00 |