RCW 46.61.410
Increases by secretary of transportation—Maximum speed limit for trucks—Auto stages—Signs and notices.
(1)(a) Subject to subsection (2) of this section the secretary may increase the maximum speed limit on any highway or portion thereof to not more than seventy-five miles per hour in accordance with the design speed thereof (taking into account all safety elements included therein), or whenever the secretary determines upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that such greater speed is reasonable and safe under the circumstances existing on such part of the highway.
(b) The greater maximum limit established under (a) of this subsection shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected, or if a maximum limit is established for auto stages which is lower than the limit for automobiles, the auto stage speed limit shall become effective thirty days after written notice thereof is mailed in the manner provided in subsection (4) of this section.
(c) Such maximum speed limit may be declared to be effective at all times or at such times as are indicated upon said signs or in the case of auto stages, as indicated in said written notice; and differing limits may be established for different times of day, different types of vehicles, varying weather conditions, and other factors bearing on safe speeds, which shall be effective when posted upon appropriate fixed or variable signs or if a maximum limit is established for auto stages which is lower than the limit for automobiles, the auto stage speed limit shall become effective thirty days after written notice thereof is mailed in the manner provided in subsection (4) of this section.
(2) The maximum speed limit for vehicles over ten thousand pounds gross weight and vehicles in combination except auto stages shall not exceed sixty miles per hour and may be established at a lower limit by the secretary as provided in RCW 46.61.405.
(3) The word "trucks" used by the department on signs giving notice of maximum speed limits means vehicles over ten thousand pounds gross weight and all vehicles in combination except auto stages.
(4) Whenever the secretary establishes maximum speed limits for auto stages lower than the maximum limits for automobiles, the secretary shall cause to be mailed notice thereof to each auto transportation company holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Washington utilities and transportation commission. The notice shall be mailed to the chief place of business within the state of Washington of each auto transportation company or if none then its chief place of business without the state of Washington.
[ 2015 c 58 § 2; 1996 c 52 § 1; 1987 c 397 § 4; 1977 ex.s. c 151 § 35; 1974 ex.s. c 103 § 2; 1970 ex.s. c 100 § 1; 1969 ex.s. c 12 § 1; 1965 ex.s. c 155 § 55; 1963 c 16 § 3. Formerly RCW 46.48.013.]
NOTES:
Intent—1987 c 397: "It is the intent of the legislature to increase the speed limit to sixty-five miles per hour on those portions of the rural interstate highway system where the increase would be safe and reasonable and is allowed by federal law. It is also the intent of the legislature that the sixty-five miles per hour speed limit be strictly enforced." [ 1987 c 397 § 1.]
Federal requirements—1977 ex.s. c 151: See RCW 47.98.070.
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.