A: I consulted with our resident tire chain expert in the detachment, and he recommends a local tire dealership like Les Schwab or a Toyota dealership. Best of luck.

A: The yield sign does apply to traffic turning right toward Sunset. There are stop signs to govern the cross traffic at that intersection.

A: One RCW covers this, and it is 46.61.115: When overtaking on the right is permitted. (1) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: (a) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn; (b) Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled by the overtaking vehicle. (2) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. Such movement shall not be made by driving off the roadway. The maximum speed would be governed by the speed limit and what can be done safely--considering obstructions, road width and the like. You also must meet all of the conditions of the RCW to legally pass on the right.

A: If you look at RCW 46.61.060, once the light begins to flash "Don't Walk" pedestrians are not allowed to enter the crosswalk, but may complete their crossing if they have already started to walk. In essence, then, these pedestrians could be cited for improper crossing if they impeded traffic by crossing too late.

A: Parking is governed in part by RCW 46.61.570, which generally allows parking off of the roadway--which would be that part of the shoulder beyond the fog line. As long as they are not a direct hazard (such as with part of the vehicle hanging out over the fog line), they are withing compliance.

A: Under the law the legislature enacts speed limits--and as traffic law enforcement officers, keeping speeds down is important to reducing injuries and fatalities in collisions. As such, you will never hear us encourage you to add more speed or try to match the speed of drivers around you. If you feel you are being tailgated, keep to the right and let the other driver's pass. If it is a persistent problem or an aggressive driver, do call 911 to report them. As for following too closely, under RCW 46.61.145, the standard is what is " is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway."

A: RCW 46.61.290 sets out the specifics for two way left turn lanes. According to this language, "A two-way left turn lane is near the center of the roadway set aside for use by vehicles making left turns in either direction from or into the roadway." This would include a vehicle entering from a side road into the roadway. Also, no vehicles may travel more than 300 feet in this lane, and it cannot be used to pass or overtake other vheicles. All that considered, a vehicle can ultimately complete its left turn onto the roadway by pausing in this left hand turn lane before entering into the mainline flow of traffic.

A: Private property rules are based on etiquette and are not governed by the RCW laws, which only apply to the public roadway. In short, it is a matter of courtesy (or sometimes a lack thereof) as to who completes their move first.

A: You are correct. You are required to turn in to the nearest lane available under RCW 46.61.290.

A: Two separate issues. For police and emergency vehicles, you are required to move to the right shoulder and stop. (see RCW 46.61.210). This is because the driver of a police car or ambulance or fire truck may be approaching any part of the roadway or an intersection. This is different from a school bus, which is operating the red stop lights so that children can exit safely. On a small, two lane road, all traffic must come to a stop so that children can either exit to the shoulder or cross to the other side of the road. On a large, higher speed road with multiple lanes like the Guide now has become, drivers are only required to stop if they are traveling in the same direction as the bus. Children are allowed to exit to the shoulder, but they are not to cross all 5 lines--they must instead proceed to a marked intersection with a cross walk if this is their goal. (see RCW 46.61.370)