Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024
(1) What is the speed limit for a
motorized or nonmotorized vehicle on department-managed roads? The
speed limit for persons operating a motorized or nonmotorized vehicle
is the basic speed rule on department-managed roads. The basic speed
rule means no person shall drive a motorized or nonmotorized vehicle
on a road at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the
conditions and having regard for the actual and potential
hazards.
(2) What are the
responsibilities of persons operating motorized or nonmotorized
vehicles on department-managed roads and trails?
(a) Persons operating motorized or
nonmotorized vehicles shall:
(i) Use
due care and control speed to avoid colliding with any person,
animal, motorized or nonmotorized vehicle or other conveyance on or
entering the roadway;
(ii) Follow the basic speed rule;
and
(iii) Turn on
headlights when visibility is less than two hundred feet due to
terrain, darkness, dust, smoke, fog or other weather or atmospheric
conditions.
(b) Persons operating a motorized
or nonmotorized vehicle shall not:
(i) Exceed the basic speed
rule.
(ii) Obstruct or
hinder the flow of traffic on any road.
(iii) Endanger persons or property
or act in a reckless, careless, or negligent manner.
(3) While
operating a motorized or nonmotorized vehicle, who has the right of
way?
(a) Emergency vehicles.
Persons operating a motorized or nonmotorized vehicle shall yield the
right of way to all emergency vehicles making use of audible or
visual signals.
(b) Log
hauling or gravel vehicles. Persons operating a motorized or
nonmotorized vehicle, except emergency vehicle operators, must yield
the right of way to log hauling, gravel, or other commercial vehicles
conducting authorized department business.
(c) Pedestrians.
(i) Persons operating a motorized
or nonmotorized vehicle shall yield the right of way to
pedestrians.
(ii)
Pedestrians must leave the road as soon as possible to allow the
vehicle to pass.
(d) Animal-drawn vehicles and/or
persons riding animals.
(i) Persons
operating a motorized or nonmotorized vehicle shall yield the right
of way to animal-drawn vehicles and to persons riding
animals.
(ii) Persons
operating a motorized or nonmotorized vehicle must make every
reasonable effort to avoid frightening or startling such
animals.
(iii) Persons in
control of an animal or animal-drawn vehicle must remove the animal
or animal-drawn vehicle from the road as soon as possible to allow
the vehicle to pass.
(e) Livestock. Persons operating a
motorized or nonmotorized vehicle who encounter a herd of livestock,
where a person is in control of the herd, shall not move through the
herd until directed to do so by the person in control of the
herd.
(4) What
traffic laws govern traffic on department-managed land? In addition
to the traffic rules in this section and WAC
332-52-415, all
applicable Washington traffic laws in
Title 46
RCW apply on any department-managed road unless inconsistent with or
superseded by these rules. Violations of those exceptions identified
in
RCW 46.63.020 are
criminal offenses.
(5)
Any violation of this section is a traffic infraction under
chapter 46.63 RCW except a
violation of subsection (2)(b)(iii) of this section is a
misdemeanor.
Statutory Authority:
Chapter 43.30 RCW and
RCW 43.12.065.
09-05-034, § 332-52-410, filed 2/11/09, effective
3/14/09.
