RCW 46.61.212
Emergency or work zones—Approaching—Penalty—Violation.
(1) An emergency or work zone is defined as the adjacent lanes of the roadway 200 feet before and after:
(a) A stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is making use of audible and/or visual signals meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.190;
(b) A tow truck that is making use of visual red lights meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.196;
(c) Other vehicles providing roadside assistance that are making use of warning lights with 360 degree visibility;
(d) A police vehicle properly and lawfully displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating emergency light or lights; or
(e) A stationary or slow moving highway construction vehicle, highway maintenance vehicle, solid waste vehicle, or utility service vehicle making use of flashing lights that meet the requirements of RCW 46.37.300 or warning lights with 360 degree visibility.
(2) The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching an emergency or work zone, shall:
(a) On a highway having four or more lanes, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle, proceed with caution and, if the opportunity exists, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change or moving away from the lane or shoulder occupied by an emergency or work zone vehicle identified in subsection (1) of this section;
(b) On a highway having less than four lanes, proceed with caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, and, if the opportunity exists, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, and under the rules of this chapter, yield the right-of-way by passing to the left at a safe distance and simultaneously yield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the highway; or
(c) If changing lanes or moving away would be unsafe, proceed with due caution and reduce the speed of the vehicle to at least 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit, except for when the posted speed limit is 60 miles per hour or more, then reduce the speed of the vehicle to no more than 50 miles per hour.
(3) A person may not drive a vehicle in an emergency or work zone at a speed greater than the posted speed limit or greater than what is permitted under subsection (2)(c) of this section.
(4) A person found to be in violation of this section, or any infraction relating to speed restrictions in an emergency or work zone, must be assessed a monetary penalty equal to twice the penalty assessed under RCW 46.63.110. This penalty may not be waived, reduced, or suspended.
(5) A person who drives a vehicle in an emergency or work zone in such a manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger any emergency or work zone worker or property is guilty of reckless endangerment of emergency or work zone workers. A violation of this subsection is a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.
(6) The department shall suspend for 60 days the driver's license, permit to drive, or nonresident driving privilege of a person convicted of reckless endangerment of emergency or work zone workers.
[ 2022 c 279 § 2; 2019 c 106 § 1; 2018 c 18 § 2; 2010 c 252 § 1; 2007 c 83 § 1; 2005 c 413 § 1.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2010 c 252: "This act takes effect January 1, 2011." [ 2010 c 252 § 6.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 46.61 - Rules of the Road.
46.61.005 - Chapter refers to vehicles upon highways—Exceptions.
46.61.015 - Obedience to police officers, flaggers, or firefighters—Penalty.
46.61.020 - Refusal to give information to or cooperate with officer—Penalty.
46.61.021 - Duty to obey law enforcement officer—Authority of officer.
46.61.022 - Failure to obey officer—Penalty.
46.61.024 - Attempting to elude police vehicle—Defense—License revocation.
46.61.025 - Persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles.
46.61.030 - Persons working on highway right-of-way—Exceptions.
46.61.035 - Authorized emergency vehicles.
46.61.050 - Obedience to and required traffic control devices.
46.61.055 - Traffic control signal legend.
46.61.060 - Pedestrian control signals—Pedestrians, personal delivery devices.
46.61.070 - Lane-direction-control signals.
46.61.072 - Special traffic control signals—Legend.
46.61.075 - Display of unauthorized signs, signals, or markings.
46.61.080 - Interference with official traffic-control devices or railroad signs or signals.
46.61.100 - Keep right except when passing, etc.
46.61.105 - Passing vehicles proceeding in opposite directions.
46.61.110 - Overtaking on the left—Fine.
46.61.115 - When overtaking on the right is permitted.
46.61.120 - Limitations on overtaking on the left.
46.61.125 - Further limitations on driving to left of center of roadway.
46.61.126 - Pedestrians and bicyclists—Legal duties.
46.61.135 - One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands.
46.61.140 - Driving on roadways laned for traffic.
46.61.145 - Following too closely—Vulnerable users of a public way—Fine.
46.61.150 - Driving on divided highways.
46.61.155 - Restricted access.
46.61.160 - Restrictions on limited access highway—Use by bicyclists.
46.61.165 - High occupancy vehicle lanes—Monetary penalties for traffic infractions—Definition.
46.61.180 - Vehicle approaching intersection—Vulnerable users of a public way—Fine.
46.61.183 - Nonfunctioning signal lights.
46.61.185 - Vehicle turning left—Vulnerable users of a public way—Fine.
46.61.190 - Vehicle entering stop or yield intersection—Vulnerable users of a public way—Fine.
46.61.195 - Arterial highways designated—Stopping on entering.
46.61.200 - Stop intersections other than arterial may be designated.
46.61.202 - Stopping when traffic obstructed.
46.61.210 - Operation of vehicles on approach of emergency vehicles.
46.61.212 - Emergency or work zones—Approaching—Penalty—Violation.
46.61.215 - Highway construction and maintenance.
46.61.230 - Pedestrians subject to traffic regulations.
46.61.240 - Crossing at other than crosswalks.
46.61.245 - Drivers to exercise care.
46.61.250 - Pedestrians on roadways.
46.61.255 - Pedestrians soliciting rides or business.
46.61.260 - Driving through safety zone prohibited.
46.61.261 - Sidewalks, crosswalks—Pedestrians, bicycles, personal delivery devices.
46.61.264 - Pedestrians and personal delivery devices yield to emergency vehicles.
46.61.266 - Pedestrians under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
46.61.269 - Passing beyond bridge or grade crossing barrier prohibited.
46.61.275 - Reporting of certain speed zone violations—Subsequent law enforcement investigation.
46.61.290 - Required position and method of turning at intersections.
46.61.300 - Starting parked vehicle.
46.61.305 - When signals required—Improper use prohibited.
46.61.310 - Signals by hand and arm or signal lamps.
46.61.315 - Method of giving hand and arm signals.
46.61.340 - Approaching railroad grade crossings.
46.61.345 - All vehicles must stop at certain railroad grade crossings.
46.61.350 - Approaching railroad grade crossings—Specific vehicles—Exceptions—Definition.
46.61.355 - Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossings—Notice of intended crossing.
46.61.365 - Emerging from alley, driveway, or building.
46.61.371 - School bus stop sign violators—Identification by vehicle owner.
46.61.372 - School bus stop sign violators—Report by bus driver—Law enforcement investigation.
46.61.375 - Overtaking or meeting private carrier bus—Duties of bus driver.
46.61.380 - Rules for design, marking, and mode of operating school buses.
46.61.385 - School patrol—Appointment—Authority—Finance—Insurance.
46.61.400 - Basic rule and maximum limits.
46.61.405 - Decreases by secretary of transportation.
46.61.415 - When local authorities may establish or alter maximum limits.
46.61.419 - Private roads—Speed enforcement.
46.61.425 - Minimum speed regulation—Passing slow moving vehicle.
46.61.427 - Slow-moving vehicle to pull off roadway.
46.61.428 - Slow-moving vehicle driving on shoulders, when.
46.61.445 - Due care required.
46.61.455 - Vehicles with solid or hollow cushion tires.
46.61.460 - Special speed limitation on motor-driven cycle.
46.61.465 - Exceeding speed limit evidence of reckless driving.
46.61.500 - Reckless driving—Penalty.
46.61.502 - Driving under the influence.
46.61.503 - Driver under twenty-one consuming alcohol or cannabis—Penalties.
46.61.504 - Physical control of vehicle while under the influence.
46.61.5054 - Alcohol violators—Additional fee—Distribution.
46.61.5055 - Alcohol and drug violators—Penalty schedule.
46.61.5056 - Alcohol and drug violators—Information school—Evaluation and treatment.
46.61.5058 - Alcohol violators—Vehicle seizure and forfeiture.
46.61.508 - Liability of medical personnel withdrawing blood.
46.61.513 - Criminal history and driving record.
46.61.5151 - Sentences—Intermittent fulfillment—Restrictions.
46.61.5152 - Attendance at program focusing on victims.
46.61.516 - Qualified probation department defined.
46.61.517 - Refusal of tests—Admissibility as evidence.
46.61.519 - Alcoholic beverages—Drinking or open container in vehicle on highway—Exceptions.
46.61.5191 - Local ordinances not prohibited.
46.61.5195 - Disguising alcoholic beverage container.
46.61.520 - Vehicular homicide—Penalty.
46.61.522 - Vehicular assault—Penalty.
46.61.5249 - Negligent driving—First degree.
46.61.525 - Negligent driving—Second degree.
46.61.526 - Negligent driving—Second degree—Vulnerable user victim—Penalties—Definitions.
46.61.527 - Roadway construction zones.
46.61.530 - Racing of vehicles on highways—Reckless driving—Exception.
46.61.535 - Advertising of unlawful speed—Reckless driving.
46.61.540 - "Drugs," what included.
46.61.560 - Stopping, standing, or parking outside business or residence districts.
46.61.575 - Additional parking regulations—Motorcycle parking.
46.61.577 - Regulations governing parking facilities.
46.61.581 - Parking spaces for persons with disabilities—Indication, access—Failure, penalty.
46.61.582 - Free parking for persons with disabilities—Exceptions.
46.61.583 - Special plate or card issued by another jurisdiction.
46.61.585 - Winter recreational parking areas—Special permit required.
46.61.587 - Winter recreational parking areas—Penalty.
46.61.590 - Unattended motor vehicle—Removal from highway.
46.61.600 - Unattended motor vehicle.
46.61.605 - Limitations on backing.
46.61.606 - Driving on sidewalk prohibited—Exception.
46.61.608 - Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic.
46.61.610 - Riding on motorcycles.
46.61.611 - Motorcycles—Maximum height for handlebars.
46.61.612 - Riding on motorcycles—Position of feet.
46.61.613 - Motorcycles—Temporary suspension of restrictions for parades or public demonstrations.
46.61.614 - Riding on motorcycles—Clinging to other vehicles.
46.61.615 - Obstructions to driver's view or driving mechanism.
46.61.620 - Opening and closing vehicle doors.
46.61.625 - Riding in trailers or towed vehicles.
46.61.630 - Coasting prohibited.
46.61.635 - Following fire apparatus prohibited.
46.61.640 - Crossing fire hose.
46.61.645 - Throwing materials on highway prohibited—Removal.
46.61.655 - Dropping load, other materials—Covering.
46.61.660 - Carrying persons or animals on outside part of vehicle.
46.61.665 - Embracing another while driving.
46.61.670 - Driving with wheels off roadway.
46.61.672 - Using a personal electronic device while driving.
46.61.673 - Dangerously distracted driving.
46.61.675 - Causing or permitting vehicle to be unlawfully operated.
46.61.680 - Lowering passenger vehicle below legal clearance—Penalty.
46.61.685 - Leaving children unattended in standing vehicle with motor running—Penalty.
46.61.6871 - Child passenger safety technician—Immunity.
46.61.688 - Safety belts, use required—Penalties—Exemptions.
46.61.6885 - Child restraints, seat belts—Educational campaign.
46.61.690 - Violations relating to toll facilities—Exception.
46.61.700 - Parent or guardian shall not authorize or permit violation by a child or ward.
46.61.705 - Off-road motorcycles.
46.61.708 - Motorcycles previously converted as snow bikes.
46.61.720 - Mopeds—Safety standards.
46.61.723 - Medium-speed electric vehicles.
46.61.725 - Neighborhood electric vehicles.
46.61.730 - Wheelchair conveyances.
46.61.733 - Personal delivery device.
46.61.735 - Ferry queues—Violations—Exemptions.
46.61.740 - Theft of motor vehicle fuel.
46.61.745 - Possessing or consuming cannabis in vehicle on highway—Penalty, exceptions—Definition.
46.61.750 - Effect of regulations—Penalty.
46.61.755 - Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles.
46.61.760 - Riding on bicycles.
46.61.765 - Clinging to vehicles.
46.61.770 - Riding on roadways and bicycle paths.
46.61.775 - Carrying articles.