WAC 332-52-410   Traffic rules.  (1) What is the speed limit for a motorized or nonmotorized vehicle on department-managed roads? The speed limit for persons operating a motorized or nonmotorized vehicle is the basic speed rule on department-managed roads. The basic speed rule means no person shall drive a motorized or nonmotorized vehicle on a road at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard for the actual and potential hazards.

     (2) What are the responsibilities of persons operating motorized or nonmotorized vehicles on department-managed roads and trails?

     (a) Persons operating motorized or nonmotorized vehicles shall:

     (i) Use due care and control speed to avoid colliding with any person, animal, motorized or nonmotorized vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the roadway;

     (ii) Follow the basic speed rule; and

     (iii) Turn on headlights when visibility is less than two hundred feet due to terrain, darkness, dust, smoke, fog or other weather or atmospheric conditions.

     (b) Persons operating a motorized or nonmotorized vehicle shall not:

     (i) Exceed the basic speed rule.

     (ii) Obstruct or hinder the flow of traffic on any road.

     (iii) Endanger persons or property or act in a reckless, careless, or negligent manner.

     (3) While operating a motorized or nonmotorized vehicle, who has the right of way?

     (a) Emergency vehicles. Persons operating a motorized or nonmotorized vehicle shall yield the right of way to all emergency vehicles making use of audible or visual signals.

     (b) Log hauling or gravel vehicles. Persons operating a motorized or nonmotorized vehicle, except emergency vehicle operators, must yield the right of way to log hauling, gravel, or other commercial vehicles conducting authorized department business.

     (c) Pedestrians.

     (i) Persons operating a motorized or nonmotorized vehicle shall yield the right of way to pedestrians.

     (ii) Pedestrians must leave the road as soon as possible to allow the vehicle to pass.

     (d) Animal-drawn vehicles and/or persons riding animals.

     (i) Persons operating a motorized or nonmotorized vehicle shall yield the right of way to animal-drawn vehicles and to persons riding animals.

     (ii) Persons operating a motorized or nonmotorized vehicle must make every reasonable effort to avoid frightening or startling such animals.

     (iii) Persons in control of an animal or animal-drawn vehicle must remove the animal or animal-drawn vehicle from the road as soon as possible to allow the vehicle to pass.

     (e) Livestock. Persons operating a motorized or nonmotorized vehicle who encounter a herd of livestock, where a person is in control of the herd, shall not move through the herd until directed to do so by the person in control of the herd.

     (4) What traffic laws govern traffic on department-managed land? In addition to the traffic rules in this section and WAC 332-52-415, all applicable Washington traffic laws in Title 46 RCW apply on any department-managed road unless inconsistent with or superseded by these rules. Violations of those exceptions identified in RCW 46.63.020 are criminal offenses.

     (5) Any violation of this section is a traffic infraction under chapter 46.63 RCW except a violation of subsection (2)(b)(iii) of this section is a misdemeanor.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.30 RCW and RCW 43.12.065. 09-05-034, § 332-52-410, filed 2/11/09, effective 3/14/09.]