Whatcom Answers
Rules of the Road
360-676-2007
Sergeant Tim Coley works for the Washington State Patrol at the Bellingham Detachment. He will answer your questions about the rules of the road, safe driving habits and general police practices. More information can be found at wsp.wa.gov.
Most Recently Answered Questions
Questions 1 - 4 of 4 (Page 1 of 1)Submitted by Cathy from Custer, WA
Q: If there is a patrol car with his red lights on - on the freeway and both lanes of traffic are congested, what is the rule to let the patrol car pass? I was on the freeway yesterday when this happened and the patrol car was passing on the left shoulder. The car behind me pulled onto the left shoulder blocking the patrol car. It looked like everyone else was migrating towards the slow lane to give the patrol car enough room to pass on the left shoulder. Thank you for anwering my question.
Answered 11/20/08 17:33:45 by Tim Coley
A: Operating an emergency vehicle with lights and/or sirens can be one of the most stressful tasks for both law enforcement officers and civilians as well. In order to alleviate some of the confusion and the impulse reaction to simply stop in the middle of the road, the appropriate RCW and driver training information requires vehicles to move right upon the approach of any emergency vehicle. This includes police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks. I have pulled the pertinent RCW below for you. On a side note, be extra careful and aware after a patrol car passes you in this manner. You can generally assume that when one officer is headed to an emergency, he or she might be followed by other officers or emergency responders. Take a moment to look before you move back to the left and keep checking your mirrors for others coming up behind you. I try to remind people that if you or your loved ones were involved in a serious collision or other emergency, you would want a quick response—so please keep to the right!! RCW 46.61.210 Operation of vehicles on approach of emergency vehicles. (1) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.190, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.Submitted by Kay Reeves from Seattle, Washington
Q: When you are on a two way road and come to a red traffic light at a one way road to the left, can you make a free left turn onto the one way if no cars are coming from your right? or do you need to wait for a green light?
Answered 10/15/08 02:32:56 by Tim Coley
A: This maneuver can be a real puzzler to drivers who see this turn performed--and yet it is generally proper. The pertinent law comes from RCW 46.61.055, section 3(a). It reads “…the vehicle operators facing a steady circular red signal may, after stopping proceed to make a right turn from a one-way or two-way street into a two-way street or into a one-way street carrying traffic in the direction of the right turn; or a left turn from a one-way or two-way street into a one-way street carrying traffic in the direction of the left turn; unless a sign posted by competent authority prohibits such movement. Vehicle operators planning to make such turns shall remain stopped to allow other vehicles lawfully within or approaching the intersection control area to complete their movements. Vehicle operators planning to make such turns shall also remain stopped for pedestrians who are lawfully within the intersection control area as required by RCW 46.61.235(1).” So, unless you see a posted sign prohibiting the left turn, you can make it after you have made sure there is no traffic coming from your right and that there are no pedestrians to your left who are crossing the street.Submitted by Wanita Anderson from Bellingham, WA
Q: What are the rules (times of day) when we must reduce speed if there is no flashing light just a sign at school zones? Many school zones have flashing lights so you don't have to reduce speed except at the beginning and end of the school day.
Answered 10/07/08 15:17:41 by Tim Coley
A: Great question. Of course, it is always responsible and wise to slow down to 20 when you near a school zone regardless of the lights because kids do tend to congregate in these areas. To find the answer, I checked with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. They have a web page with some excellent information. The pertinent part is excerpted below: What's a School Zone? The 600-foot school zone is designated by two signs, both 300 feet on either side of a marked crosswalk. The speed limit in a school zone is 20 m.p.h. You should remember that fines are double for traffic violations committed within the school zone. There are four kinds of marked school zones that tell you when you must drive 20 m.p.h: • When Children are Present • From 8 am to 5:30 pm • When Flagged • When Flashing Taken from: http://www.wtsc.wa.gov/programs/schlzone.php In short, the answer depends on your particular area and the signs there, but look for those four kinds of markings above.Submitted by Julie Shirley from Bellingham Herald
Q: When the freeway narrows to two lanes, is the "fast" lane supposed to be used only for passing?
Answered 09/25/08 07:08:05 by Tim Coley
A: Generally speaking, the far left lane is intended for passing and thru traffic, especially when traffic narrows down to two lanes, i.e. through the heart of Bellingham. This is to allow drivers entering the freeway a chance to gain speed and merge with the flow of traffic. The inside lane, then, is not necessarily only for passing in these more congested areas but also for the smooth flow of traffic beyond the off ramps through to other points.