Washington motorists often forget important traffic laws, such as not following too closely or passing on the right.
Washington enacted its traffic code to help prevent accidents and keep all travelers safe. Yet, on the state’s roads, drivers continue to ignore the rules of the road. These motorists present a danger to other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
The following paragraphs discuss the seven most commonly ignored Washington traffic laws. Keep reading to discover what they are and how you can stay compliant on the road.
You can also learn more with these additional resources:
1. Washington Slower Traffic Keep Right Law: The “Move Over” Rule
Washington prohibits drivers from staying in the furthest left lane of a highway if they are blocking the flow of traffic. Drivers must move over to the right unless they are passing other vehicles, driving faster than other motorists, allowing other cars to merge, or getting ready for a left turn.
Upon all roadways having two or more lanes for traffic moving in the same direction, all vehicles shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, when traveling at a speed greater than the traffic flow, when moving left to allow traffic to merge, or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection, exit, or into a private road or driveway.
It is a traffic infraction to drive continuously in the left lane of a multilane roadway when it impedes the flow of other traffic.
2. Washington Flow of Traffic Law: The “Minimum Speed” Rule
In Washington, you are not allowed to drive so slowly that you impede the flow of traffic. If there is a posted minimum speed on a highway, you must travel at least that fast. The only exceptions to the minimum speed rule are when you need to drive slower for safety or to comply with the law.
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.
Whenever the secretary of transportation or local authorities determine that slow speeds on any part of a highway unreasonably impede the normal movement of traffic, the secretary or such local authority may determine and declare a minimum speed limit thereat. No person shall drive a vehicle slower than such minimum speed limit except when necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
3. Washington Driving in Left Lane Law: The “Passing on the Left” Rule
To legally pass another vehicle on Washington roads, you must do so on the left. You must also completely overtake the other motorist before you move back to the right. When you need to cross the center line, you must finish the pass before coming within 200 feet of any vehicles traveling the opposite way.
Washington also has rules for cars being passed. When another driver is overtaking you, you must give way and cannot speed up until they are done passing your car.
The driver of a vehicle overtaking other traffic proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of it at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken traffic.
Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, overtaken traffic shall give way to the right in favor of an overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase speed until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing other traffic unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the operation of any traffic approaching from the opposite direction or any traffic overtaken.
In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable and in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within two hundred feet of any approaching traffic.
4. Washington Rear-End Collision Law: The “Following Too Closely” Rule
Washington’s laws require you to leave a “reasonable and prudent” space between your car and the one in front of you. What is reasonable depends on your speed and the traffic and road conditions. So on a sunny day in light traffic, you can drive closer than when driving in a blizzard.
The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.
5. Washington Mobile Phone Driving Law: The “Hands-Free Driving” Rule
Washington prohibits all hand-held usage of cell phones while driving, including while sitting at a red light or stopped in traffic. You can only use a mobile device in hands-free mode until you pull off to the side of the street or park your car. An exception to this rule exists if you need to use your phone to contact emergency personnel.
A person who uses a personal electronic device while driving a motor vehicle on a public highway is guilty of a traffic infraction. This does not apply to a driver who is using a personal electronic device to contact emergency services.
“Driving” means to operate a motor vehicle on a public highway, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary delays. “Driving” does not include when the vehicle has pulled over to the side of, or off of, an active roadway and has stopped in a location where it can safely remain stationary.
“Use” or “uses” means holding a personal electronic device in either hand or both hands; using your hand or finger to compose, send, read, view, access, browse, transmit, save, or retrieve email, text messages, instant messages, photographs, or other electronic data; or watching video on a personal electronic device.
6. Washington Four-Way Intersection Law: The “4-Way Stop” Rule
When two vehicles reach an intersection at nearly the same time, Washington’s traffic code requires the driver on the left to yield. The other driver has the right of way and can proceed through the intersection first.
When two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
7. Washington Left Turn Intersection Law: The “Right of Way” Rule
Prior to making a left turn, Washington law requires you to yield the right of way to any oncoming vehicles close enough to create an unsafe situation. First, you must let traffic headed in the opposite direction clear, then you can make the turn.
The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.
There are numerous reasons to comply with all of Washington’s traffic laws. For one thing, following the rules of the road will make you a more courteous, safer driver. It will also help you avoid tickets and can even mean you’re more likely to reach your destination safely. So, next time you get behind the wheel, keep these seven laws in mind.