(1) No vehicle shall be driven or moved on any public highway
unless such vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to prevent any
of its load from dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise
escaping therefrom, except that sand may be dropped for the
purpose of securing traction.
(2) No person may operate on any public highway any vehicle
with any load unless the load and such covering as required
thereon by subsection (3) of this section is securely fastened to
prevent the covering or load from becoming loose, detached, or in
any manner a hazard to other users of the highway.
(3) Any vehicle operating on a paved public highway with a
load of dirt, sand, or gravel susceptible to being dropped,
spilled, leaked, or otherwise escaping therefrom shall be covered
so as to prevent spillage. Covering of such loads is not
required if six inches of freeboard is maintained within the bed.
(4)(a) Any person operating a vehicle from which any glass
or objects have fallen or escaped, which would constitute an
obstruction or injure a vehicle or otherwise endanger travel upon
such public highway shall immediately cause the public highway to
be cleaned of all such glass or objects and shall pay any costs
therefor.
(b) Any vehicle with deposits of mud, rocks, or other debris
on the vehicle's body, fenders, frame, undercarriage, wheels, or
tires shall be cleaned of such material before the operation of
the vehicle on a paved public highway.
(5) The state patrol may make necessary rules to carry into
effect the provisions of this section, applying such provisions
to specific conditions and loads and prescribing means, methods,
and practices to effectuate such provisions.
(6) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit a
public maintenance vehicle from dropping sand on a highway to
enhance traction, or sprinkling water or other substances to
clean or maintain a highway.
(7)(a)(i) A person is guilty of failure to secure a load in
the first degree if he or she, with criminal negligence, fails to
secure a load or part of a load to his or her vehicle in
compliance with subsection (1), (2), or (3) of this section and
causes substantial bodily harm to another.
(ii) Failure to secure a load in the first degree is a gross
misdemeanor.
(b)(i) A person is guilty of failure to secure a load in the
second degree if he or she, with criminal negligence, fails to
secure a load or part of a load to his or her vehicle in
compliance with subsection (1) or (2) of this section and causes
damage to property of another.
(ii) Failure to secure a load in the second degree is a
misdemeanor.
(c) A person who fails to secure a load or part of a load to
his or her vehicle in compliance with subsection (1), (2), or (3)
of this section is guilty of an infraction if such failure does
not amount to a violation of (a) or (b) of this subsection.
[2005 c 431 § 1; 1990 c 250 § 56; 1986 c 89 § 1; 1971 ex.s. c 307 § 22; 1965 ex.s. c 52 § 1; 1961 c 12 § 46.56.135. Prior: 1947 c 200 § 3, part; 1937 c 189 § 44, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 6360-44, part. Formerly RCW 46.56.135.]
NOTES:
Rules of court: Monetary penalty schedule -- IRLJ 6.2.
Severability -- 1990 c 250: See note following RCW 46.18.215.
Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 307: See RCW 70.93.900.
Littering: Chapter 70.93 RCW.
Transporting waste to landfills: RCW 70.93.097.