Question: Is a traveler required to bring all of his/her prescribed medications only in prescription bottles? Is it OK to carry those in seven-day medication containers? Or should those be left at home? The seven-day medication containers do not carry the prescription information or who the doctor is. The containers are popular for those who are on multiple prescriptions, needing it to be organized for a.m./p.m. and saving space in the toiletry bags. This is brought up in case someone is pulled over for possible DUI (under medication influence).
Answer: That is part of the uniform controlled substances act under RCW 69.50.309 Containers. A person to whom or for whose use any controlled substance has been prescribed, sold, or dispensed by a practitioner, and the owner of any animal for which such controlled substance has been prescribed, sold, or dispensed may lawfully possess it only in the container in which it was delivered to him by the person selling or dispensing the same.
After all the legal language is done, yes, you must carry the prescription bottles with you if you are taking your medications along.
Q: When coming to an intersection with a light, if you are making a right-hand turn is it legal to turn right into a corner commercial lot (gas station, store), and drive diagonally through the corner lot to the other side? This bypasses the traffic light while making a right-hand turn.
A: No, it is never legal to turn into a commercial lot to bypass a traffic light or stop sign.
Q: Can you please publish the rules for the roundabouts again? They work great when used properly.
A: Roundabout rules revisited: Vehicles wishing to enter the roundabout must yield to vehicles already in the roundabout. Vehicles in the roundabout need to signal their intention to exit the roundabout. Do not drive next to large trucks (semi-tractor trailer style) in the roundabout because they need to use more than their lane to safely traverse the roundabout.
The Washington State Department of Transportation has an entire Web page on driving roundabouts, including photos and diagrams, at wsdot.wa.gov/safety/roundabouts/. It also has a series of YouTube videos showing how to drive them; go to Youtube.com and enter the search terms "WSDOT" and "roundabout" to find them.
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Rules of the Road is an online forum with questions and answers on road laws, safe driving habits and general police practices. To ask a question, use this form.
DAVID WRIGHT is a retired officer from the Bellingham Police Department who is now on the Whatcom County Traffic Safety Task Force.
