RCW 46.37.380
Horns, warning devices, and theft alarms.
(1) Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than two hundred feet, but no horn or other warning device may emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a motor vehicle shall when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation give audible warning with his or her horn but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway.
(2) No vehicle may be equipped with nor may any person use upon a vehicle any siren, whistle, or bell, except as otherwise permitted in this section.
(3) It is permissible for any vehicle to be equipped with a theft alarm signal device so long as it is so arranged that it cannot be used by the driver as an ordinary warning signal. Such a theft alarm signal device may use a whistle, bell, horn, or other audible signal but shall not use a siren.
(4) Any authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred feet and of a type conforming to rules adopted by the state patrol, but the siren shall not be used except when the vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, in which latter events the driver of the vehicle shall sound the siren when reasonably necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of its approach.
[ 2010 c 8 § 9052; 1987 c 330 § 720; 1986 c 113 § 3; 1977 ex.s. c 355 § 32; 1961 c 12 § 46.37.380. Prior: 1955 c 269 § 38; prior: 1937 c 189 § 35; RRS § 6360-35; RCW 46.36.040.]
NOTES:
Construction—Application of rules—Severability—1987 c 330: See notes following RCW 28B.12.050.
Severability—1977 ex.s. c 355: See note following RCW 46.37.010.
Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles—Additional requirements and limitations: RCW 46.37.539.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 46.37 - Vehicle Lighting and Other Equipment.
46.37.005 - State patrol—Additional powers and duties.
46.37.010 - Scope and effect of regulations—General penalty.
46.37.020 - When lighted lamps and signaling devices are required.
46.37.030 - Visibility distance and mounted height of lamps.
46.37.040 - Head lamps on motor vehicles.
46.37.070 - Stop lamps and electric turn signals required.
46.37.080 - Application of succeeding sections.
46.37.090 - Additional equipment required on certain vehicles.
46.37.100 - Color of clearance lamps, side marker lamps, backup lamps, and reflectors.
46.37.110 - Mounting of reflectors, clearance lamps, identification lamps, and side marker lamps.
46.37.120 - Visibility of reflectors, clearance lamps, identification lamps, and side marker lamps.
46.37.130 - Obstructed lights not required.
46.37.140 - Lamps, reflectors, and flags on projecting load.
46.37.150 - Lamps on vehicles—Parked or stopped vehicles, lighting requirements.
46.37.160 - Hazard warning lights and reflectors on farm equipment—Slow-moving vehicle emblem.
46.37.180 - Spot lamps and auxiliary lamps.
46.37.184 - Red flashing lights on fire department vehicles—Rear-facing blue lights—Combination.
46.37.185 - Green light on firefighters' private cars.
46.37.186 - Fire department sign or plate on private car.
46.37.187 - Green light, sign or plate—Identification card required.
46.37.188 - Penalty for violation of RCW 46.37.184 through 46.37.188.
46.37.190 - Warning devices on vehicles—Other drivers yield and stop.
46.37.191 - Implementing rules.
46.37.196 - Red lights on emergency tow trucks.
46.37.200 - Stop lamps and electric turn signals displayed.
46.37.210 - Additional lighting equipment.
46.37.215 - Hazard warning lamps.
46.37.220 - Multiple-beam road-lighting equipment.
46.37.230 - Use of multiple-beam road-lighting equipment.
46.37.240 - Single-beam road-lighting equipment.
46.37.260 - Alternate road lighting equipment.
46.37.270 - Number of lamps required—Number of additional lamps permitted.
46.37.280 - Special restrictions on lamps.
46.37.290 - Special lighting equipment on school buses and private carrier buses.
46.37.300 - Standards for lights on snow-removal or highway maintenance and service equipment.
46.37.310 - Selling or using lamps or equipment.
46.37.320 - Authority of state patrol regarding lighting devices or other safety equipment.
46.37.330 - Revocation of certificate of approval on devices—Reapproval, conditions.
46.37.340 - Braking equipment required.
46.37.351 - Performance ability of brakes.
46.37.360 - Maintenance of brakes—Brake system failure indicator.
46.37.365 - Hydraulic brake fluid—Defined—Standards and specifications.
46.37.369 - Wheels and front suspension.
46.37.375 - Steering and suspension systems.
46.37.380 - Horns, warning devices, and theft alarms.
46.37.390 - Mufflers required—Smoke and air contaminant standards—Definitions—Penalty, exception.
46.37.395 - Compression brakes (Jake brakes).
46.37.400 - Mirrors, backup devices.
46.37.410 - Windshields required, exception—Must be unobstructed and equipped with wipers.
46.37.420 - Tires—Restrictions.
46.37.4215 - Lightweight and retractable studs—Certification by sellers.
46.37.4216 - Lightweight and retractable studs—Sale of tires containing.
46.37.423 - Pneumatic passenger car tires—Standards—Exception for off-highway use—Penalty.
46.37.424 - Regrooved tires—Standards—Exception for off-highway use—Penalty.
46.37.425 - Tires—Unsafe—State patrol's authority—Penalty.
46.37.430 - Safety glazing—Sunscreening or coloring.
46.37.440 - Flares or other warning devices required on certain vehicles.
46.37.450 - Disabled vehicle—Display of warning devices.
46.37.467 - Alternative fuel source—Placard required.
46.37.470 - Air conditioning equipment.
46.37.480 - Headsets, earphones.
46.37.490 - Safety load chains and devices required.
46.37.495 - Safety chains for towing.
46.37.500 - Fenders or splash aprons.
46.37.505 - Child passenger restraint systems.
46.37.510 - Seat belts and shoulder harnesses.
46.37.517 - Body and body hardware.
46.37.518 - Street rod, custom, and kit vehicles—Optional and required equipment.
46.37.5185 - Street rod and custom vehicles—Blue dot taillights.
46.37.520 - Beach vehicles with soft tires—"Dune buggies"—Inspection and approval required—Fee.
46.37.522 - Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles—When head lamps and tail lamps to be lighted.
46.37.523 - Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles—Head lamps.
46.37.524 - Motor-driven cycles—Head lamps.
46.37.525 - Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles—Tail lamps, reflectors, and stop lamps.
46.37.527 - Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles—Brake requirements.
46.37.528 - Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles—Performance ability of brakes.
46.37.529 - Motor-driven cycles—Braking system inspection.
46.37.535 - Motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, or mopeds—Helmet requirements when rented.
46.37.537 - Motorcycles—Exhaust system.
46.37.539 - Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles—Additional requirements and limitations.
46.37.540 - Odometers—Disconnecting, resetting, or turning back prohibited.
46.37.550 - Odometers—Selling motor vehicle knowing odometer turned back unlawful.
46.37.560 - Odometers—Selling motor vehicle knowing odometer replaced unlawful.
46.37.570 - Odometers—Selling, advertising, using, or installing device registering false mileage.
46.37.590 - Odometers—Purchaser plaintiff to recover costs and attorney's fee, when.
46.37.600 - Liability of operator, owner, lessee for violations.
46.37.610 - Wheelchair conveyance standards.
46.37.620 - School buses—Crossing arms.
46.37.630 - Private school buses.
46.37.640 - Air bags—Definitions.
46.37.660 - Air bags—Replacement requirements, diagnostic system—Penalties.
46.37.670 - Signal preemption devices—Prohibited—Exceptions.
46.37.671 - Signal preemption device—Possession—Penalty.
46.37.672 - Signal preemption device—Use, sale, purchase—Penalty.
46.37.674 - Signal preemption device—Accident—Substantial bodily harm—Penalty.
46.37.675 - Signal preemption device—Accident—Death—Penalty.
46.37.680 - Sound system attachment.
46.37.685 - License plate flipping device—Unlawful use, display, sale—Penalty.