Traffic news from Bellingham, WA | BellinghamHerald.com

Traffic

Rules of the Road: Can two lanes turn on green arrow at State and Iowa?

Question: At the three-way intersection where James, State and Iowa streets come together there is a green arrow for right turns from State onto Iowa. Both the far right and middle lanes may turn onto Iowa when the main light is green, but can both lanes turn when the arrow is lit, or just the ...

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TRAFFIC

Rules of the Road: Are semi trucks allowed in the left freeway lane?

Question: My understanding is that semi trucks cannot travel in the left lane. I see them travel in the left lane all the time driving through Bellingham and Burlington/Mount Vernon.
TRAFFIC

Rules of the Road: If slow driver is clogging left lane, can I pass on right?

Question: Too many drivers on the freeway are clogging the left lane at well below the posted speed limit. Why aren't they being ticketed for impeding traffic? If we pass them on the right side, are we breaking the law?
TRAFFIC

Rules of the Road: Can Bellingham police ride bikes on sidewalks?

Question: I want to know if it is really legal for the Bellingham police to be allowed to ride their bikes on the sidewalks where people walk?
TRAFFIC

Rules of the Road: Can I back into an angled parking spot in Bellingham?

Question: Is it illegal to back into an angled parking spot in Bellingham?
TRAFFIC

Rules of the Road: Is it legal to hold a cellphone like a walkie-talkie? Or to pull over just to answer a call?

Question: When driving and not having a hands-free device, is it legal to pull over to the shoulder to answer a call? If not, what is the protocol?
TRAFFIC

Rules of the Road: Can I drive on wrong side of road to retrieve mail from my box?

Question: Is it permissible to momentarily drive into the opposite lane of a two-lane county road to quickly grab mail through a rolled-down window? (Given of course that the road is clear, in a passing zone, and there are no oncoming vehicles.) It is quite convenient to not have to park the car...
TRAFFIC

Rules of the Road: Is a copy of a driver's license enough for ID?

Question: I just read your answer to the question of "Is it illegal to drive if you forgot your license at home," and the answer was basically yes, but officers have discretion as to how to deal with it. I have kept a photo copy of my valid license in the glove box. Would that suffice if I forgot...
TRAFFIC

Rules of the Road: What's the law for passing a parked patrol car with lights flashing?

Question: Could you please explain the correct way for vehicles to pass a patrol car sitting on the shoulder of the road with lights flashing and an officer writing a ticket, for example. I've heard new rules had been instituted in recent years due to several serious accidents related to situations...
TRAFFIC

Rules of the Road: Is it illegal to drive if you forget your license?

Question: Say I have forgotten my wallet at home, with my driver's license in it. Is it illegal to drive? What could or would a police officer do if I am pulled over?
TRAFFIC

Rules of the Road: Can I legally park a car in a motorcycle spot?

Question: There are a few metered parking spots downtown that say "motorcycle only." I see cars parked there all the time. Is this legal?