Rules of the road 2 +4Washington · Driving · English

A roundabout is a circular intersection where traffic flows counterclockwise around a central island. Drivers must slow down upon approach, yield to all traffic already circulating within the roundabout, and yield to pedestrians and bicyclists at crosswalks when entering and exiting. Lane choice should be made before entering, and you must stay in your lane until you exit.

• ✓When approaching a roundabout, you must yield to all traffic and bicyclists already inside the circle.
• ✓Always travel in a counterclockwise direction within a roundabout.
• ✓Slow down to the advisory speed, typically between 15 and 25 mph, when approaching and driving through a roundabout.
• ✓You must stop for pedestrians in the crosswalks when you enter and exit the roundabout.

An uncontrolled intersection has no signs or traffic signals. Standard right-of-way rules apply. You must yield to any vehicle already in the intersection. You must also yield if you are entering a paved road from an unpaved one, entering a state highway from a secondary road, or if you are turning left and a vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction.

• ✓At an uncontrolled intersection, you must yield the right-of-way to any vehicle that is already in the intersection.
• ✓You must yield when entering a paved road from an unpaved road.
• ✓When planning a left turn at an uncontrolled intersection, you must yield to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

Pavement markings guide traffic and indicate rules. Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction. Dashed lines may be crossed if it is safe, while solid lines indicate you should stay in your lane. Double solid lines, white or yellow, are barriers that cannot be crossed.

• ✓Yellow lines separate traffic flowing in opposite directions.
• ✓White lines separate traffic lanes moving in the same direction.
• ✓A dashed line means you may cross it to change lanes or pass when it is safe, while a solid line means you should stay in your lane.
• ✓It is illegal to cross double solid white lines.

The centerline markings on a two-way road dictate when it is legal to pass. You may not pass when there is a solid yellow line on your side. You may pass only when the dashed yellow line is on your side and the way is clear. Passing is prohibited from either direction when there are double solid yellow lines.

• ✓You may not pass another vehicle if the solid yellow line is on your side of the road.
• ✓If the centerline is a combination of a solid and a dashed yellow line, you may only pass if the dashed line is on your side and it is safe.
• ✓You are not allowed to pass in either direction on roads marked with double solid yellow lines.

Drivers must always yield to pedestrians who are in or about to enter a crosswalk. In Washington, every intersection is legally considered a crosswalk, even if there are no painted lines on the road. Be especially alert for pedestrians when turning at intersections.

• ✓You must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian in or about to enter a crosswalk.
• ✓Every intersection is legally defined as a crosswalk, regardless of whether it is marked with painted lines.
• ✓You must yield to pedestrians when the in-pavement crosswalk lights are flashing.

Washington has several markings to facilitate sharing the road with bicyclists. Sharrows indicate a shared lane where cyclists are expected to ride. A bicycle box is a painted area at an intersection that allows cyclists to position themselves ahead of cars. Drivers must not enter the bike box and cannot turn right on red at these intersections.

• ✓When you see sharrow pavement markings, be prepared to share the lane with bicyclists and allow at least 3 feet of space when passing.
• ✓A bicycle box at an intersection is for cyclists to wait in front of vehicles; drivers must stop behind the white stop line.
• ✓You are not permitted to make a right turn on a red light at an intersection that has a bicycle box.

A school zone is the area around a school, marked by signs and sometimes flashing lights. The speed limit in a school zone is 20 mph. This speed limit can be in effect at various times, not just during school hours, due to after-school activities. Drivers must slow down and be vigilant for children.

• ✓The speed limit in a school zone in Washington is 20 mph unless signs indicate otherwise.
• ✓You must obey the school zone speed limit when it is in effect, regardless of whether you see children present.

A diverging diamond interchange (DDI) is a specific intersection design that allows for more efficient left turns, typically onto a freeway. In a DDI, traffic is temporarily guided to the left side of the road, which eliminates the need to turn against oncoming traffic. Drivers should follow all signs, signals, and pavement markings carefully through the interchange.

• ✓In a diverging diamond interchange, traffic temporarily crosses over to the left side of the roadway.
• ✓The design of a DDI allows drivers to make left turns onto a freeway without stopping or yielding to oncoming traffic.
• ✓Drivers must pay close attention to signs and pavement markings to navigate the lane shifts correctly.

A shared center lane, marked with solid and dashed yellow lines and left-turn arrows, is reserved for vehicles making left turns from or into the roadway. It is not for passing. You should not travel more than 300 feet in this lane before making your turn.

• ✓A shared center lane is reserved exclusively for making left turns from or into the roadway.
• ✓You must not use a shared center turn lane for passing other vehicles.
• ✓You should not travel farther than 300 feet within a shared center turn lane.

HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes are marked with a diamond symbol and reserved for carpools, buses, and motorcycles. Reversible lanes change direction to manage traffic flow and are controlled by overhead signals. A green arrow means the lane is open, a red X means it is closed, and a yellow X means you must exit the lane safely.

• ✓HOV lanes are identified by a diamond symbol on signs and pavement.
• ✓On a reversible lane, a green arrow indicates you can use the lane, while a red X means you cannot.
• ✓A steady yellow X on an overhead signal for a reversible lane means the lane is about to change direction and you must move out of it.

A work zone is an area with road construction, while an emergency zone is a temporary area for a crash or other incident. In these zones, you must slow down, increase your following distance, eliminate distractions, and be prepared to stop. Move over when possible to give space to workers and vehicles.

• ✓When approaching a work zone, you must reduce your speed and increase your following distance, even if workers are not visible.
• ✓You must follow the instructions on work zone signs until you see a sign indicating that you have left the work zone.
• ✓When possible, you should move over a lane to provide more space for roadside workers, construction vehicles, or emergency vehicles.

When you see a roadside response vehicle (like a police car, tow truck, or ambulance) with its lights flashing, you are entering an emergency zone. You must take specific actions to ensure the safety of the workers. This involves either moving over a lane or significantly reducing your speed.

• ✓If you see a roadside response vehicle with flashing lights, you must move over into a farther lane if possible.
• ✓If you cannot move over, you must slow down to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit.
• ✓You must never drive faster than 50 mph in an emergency zone, regardless of the posted speed limit.

In Washington, it is illegal to park in many specific locations to ensure safety and traffic flow. You must know the minimum legal distances you must maintain from objects like fire hydrants, stop signs, and driveways.

• ✓Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
• ✓Do not park within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign, or yield sign.
• ✓Your vehicle must be parked no more than 12 inches from the curb.
• ✓Do not park within 5 feet of a driveway, alley, or private road.

When parking on a hill, you must turn your wheels in a specific direction as a safety measure in case your parking brake fails. The direction depends on whether you are facing uphill or downhill, and whether there is a curb.

• ✓When parking uphill against a curb, turn your front wheels away from the curb.
• ✓When parking downhill against a curb, turn your front wheels toward the curb.
• ✓If there is no curb, turn your front wheels toward the edge of the road, regardless of whether you are facing uphill or downhill.

Washington has strict laws against leaving children or animals unattended in a parked vehicle, as it can be extremely dangerous. The rules vary based on the child's age and whether the vehicle's motor is running.

• ✓It is a crime to leave a child under the age of 16 unattended in a parked vehicle with the motor running.
• ✓It is illegal to leave an animal unattended in a vehicle if it could be harmed by excessive heat, cold, or lack of ventilation.
• ✓It is a crime to leave a child under the age of 12 unattended in a parked vehicle, even if the engine is off.

Beyond just placing your car, safe parking involves being aware of your surroundings. Washington's manual highlights the 'Dutch Reach' method for opening your door to prevent collisions with bicyclists. Curb colors also indicate specific parking restrictions.

• ✓Use the 'Dutch Reach'—opening the door with your hand farthest from it—to force your body to turn and see approaching bicyclists or vehicles.
• ✓A white painted curb indicates that only short stops are permitted.
• ✓A yellow or red painted curb indicates a loading zone or some other restriction.

Certain parking stalls are reserved for specific uses. It is illegal to park in a disabled parking spot without a proper placard or plate, or to block the adjacent access aisle. Similarly, electric vehicle charging stations have specific use requirements.

• ✓You may not park in or block the striped access aisle next to a reserved disabled parking space.
• ✓It is illegal to park in an electric vehicle charging station unless your vehicle is connected to the charging equipment.
• ✓You must not hang a disabled parking placard from your rearview mirror while driving.

Driving with an unsecured load is illegal and dangerous in Washington. Any items in or on your vehicle or trailer must be properly secured to prevent them from falling onto the road and causing a hazard or a crash.

• ✓All loads must be tied down with rope, netting, or straps to prevent items from falling or shifting.
• ✓Large objects should be tied directly to the vehicle or trailer.
• ✓Driving with an unsecured load is against the law.

Washington has specific laws to ensure the safety of animals during transport and to prevent them from becoming a distraction to the driver or a hazard to the public.

• ✓It is illegal to transport an animal in the open bed of a truck unless it is secured with a protective harness or enclosure.
• ✓An animal that is loose in a vehicle or riding on the driver's lap is a potential distraction that can take your focus off safely driving.

In certain Washington counties (Grays Harbor and Pacific), ocean beaches are designated as state highways, and all traffic laws apply. This includes a specific speed limit and rules about right-of-way for pedestrians.

• ✓The speed limit on an ocean beach where driving is permitted is 25 mph.
• ✓Pedestrians and bicyclists have the right-of-way at all times on the beach.
• ✓You may only enter the beach with your vehicle through marked beach approaches.

Driving over the posted speed limit significantly increases risk. Excessive speed reduces your ability to scan for and react to hazards, lengthens your vehicle's stopping distance, and can make it harder to maintain control, especially in poor weather. In the event of a crash, higher speeds dramatically increase the severity of injuries and can reduce the effectiveness of safety equipment like seat belts.

• ✓Speeding increases the force of impact in a crash, leading to more severe injuries or fatalities.
• ✓Driving at excessive speeds reduces the effectiveness of seat belts and lengthens the distance required to stop your vehicle.

The posted speed limit is the maximum legal speed under ideal conditions. Washington law requires you to drive at a speed that is safe for the current conditions, which often means driving slower than the posted limit. You are responsible for reducing your speed in situations like sharp curves, slippery roads, areas with pedestrians or cyclists, and heavy traffic.

• ✓You must drive at a speed that is safe for current road, weather, and traffic conditions, which may be lower than the posted speed limit.
• ✓It is illegal to drive faster than the posted speed limit, but you can be cited for driving too fast for conditions even if you are below the limit.

When merging onto an interstate or highway, you must yield to traffic that is already on the main road. It is the merging driver's responsibility to adjust their speed, use the entire on-ramp, signal their intention, and find a safe gap in traffic. Attempting to merge into a space that is too small is dangerous and can cause other drivers to brake suddenly or swerve.

• ✓Drivers already on the interstate have the right-of-way over drivers entering from an on-ramp.
• ✓When merging, you must adjust your speed to match the flow of traffic and wait for a safe space before entering the lane.

When you intend to turn across the path of other vehicles, you must yield the right-of-way. Oncoming traffic that is proceeding straight has the right-of-way over a driver who is turning. It is the turning driver's responsibility to accurately judge the speed and distance of approaching vehicles to ensure they have enough time to complete the turn safely without forcing others to slow down or stop.

• ✓Approaching traffic always has the right-of-way over a driver who is preparing to turn across their lane.
• ✓You must not begin your turn until it is safe to do so and you can clear the intersection without impeding oncoming traffic.

Hazard perception is a critical driving skill involving the ability to scan the road, identify potential risks, and react appropriately before they become dangerous. A hazard is defined as anything that requires you to change your speed or direction. This can range from a child running into the street to a stationary object like a trash can. Drivers must constantly scan their surroundings—front, sides, and rear—to maintain situational awareness and manage multiple hazards by prioritizing the most urgent one.

• ✓A hazard is any road condition or user that requires you to change your speed or direction.
• ✓When approaching a hazard, you should slow down to give yourself more time and space to make a safe decision.
• ✓You must continually scan your surroundings, including using your mirrors to know what is happening behind you, to be aware of potential hazards.

Understanding the primary causes of fatal crashes is essential for defensive driving. In Washington, the most common contributing factors are speed, impairment, distractions, and occupants not wearing seat belts. Drivers aged 16 to 25 are particularly at risk, as vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for this age group in the state. Recognizing these risks helps drivers make safer choices.

• ✓The most common factors in fatal crashes are speed, impairment, distractions, and unrestrained occupants.
• ✓In Washington, vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for people between the ages of 16 and 25.

In slow or stopped traffic caused by a lane closure, Washington drivers should use the zipper merge technique. This involves using both lanes up to the designated merge point and then taking turns to merge into the open lane, like the teeth of a zipper. This method is proven to improve traffic flow and reduce collisions caused by sudden lane changes.

• ✓When a lane is closed ahead, continue to use both lanes of traffic until you reach the merge area.
• ✓At the merge point, drivers in each lane should take turns merging one-by-one into the open lane.

Driving at night is more hazardous due to significantly reduced visibility. Drivers must adjust their speed to be able to stop within the distance illuminated by their headlights. It is crucial to use headlights correctly to see and be seen, and to know how to react to the headlights of other vehicles to avoid being blinded.

• ✓Use your high beams whenever there are no oncoming vehicles, but switch to low beams when approaching another vehicle or when following one.
• ✓If an oncoming vehicle has its high beams on, look away towards the right side of the road to avoid being temporarily blinded.
• ✓You must drive at a speed that allows you to stop within the distance you can see ahead in your headlights.
• ✓Increase your following distance when driving at night or on unfamiliar roads.

Washington weather often creates slippery roads from rain, snow, and ice, which reduces tire friction and increases stopping distances. Drivers must reduce speed and increase following distance. Be especially cautious on bridges, overpasses, and in shady spots, which can be icy even when other roads are not. Black ice is a particularly dangerous, nearly invisible hazard.

• ✓On a hot day, pavement is most slippery for the first few minutes of rain because heat brings oil to the surface.
• ✓Bridges, overpasses, and shady spots can have ice on them even when the rest of the road is clear.
• ✓When driving on snow or ice, you must reduce your speed dramatically and increase your following distance.
• ✓Black ice is a thin coating of ice that is very difficult to see, requiring extreme caution in near-freezing temperatures.

Safe driving in Washington requires a driver's full mental and visual attention. The driver's manual emphasizes that the brain can only focus on one thing at a time. Distractions, even for a few seconds, can lead to devastating consequences. Drivers should be mentally present, anticipate hazards by scanning, and proactively adjust to conditions. This involves eliminating both internal and external distractions before starting to drive.

• ✓Commit to being fully engaged and focused on driving by turning off distractions like your phone and in-car entertainment systems.
• ✓Your full attention is the most valuable asset on the road; you must align your mental attention with your visual focus.
• ✓Anticipate hazards by constantly scanning the road ahead and maintaining awareness of your surroundings.

Safely navigating a curve requires managing speed and vehicle position to counteract physical forces like inertia. The correct procedure involves slowing down before the curve, maintaining a steady speed through it, and accelerating gently as you exit. This technique helps maintain traction and control.

• ✓You must reduce your speed *before* entering a curve, not while you are in it.
• ✓Position your vehicle slightly to the outside of the lane as you approach the curve to improve your visibility and create more room to maneuver.
• ✓Avoid sudden braking or accelerating while in the middle of a curve, as this can disrupt the vehicle's balance and lead to a loss of control.

A skid occurs when your tires lose their grip on the road. To regain control, you must react calmly and correctly. The primary actions are to take your foot off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go. Your use of the brakes depends on whether you have an antilock braking system (ABS).

• ✓If your vehicle begins to skid, take your foot off the accelerator immediately.
• ✓Steer in the same direction your vehicle is moving to regain traction.
• ✓If you have antilock brakes (ABS), press the brake pedal firmly; if you do not have ABS, you may need to pump the brakes gently to avoid locking the wheels.

Hydroplaning occurs on wet roads when a layer of water builds up between the tires and the road surface, causing a loss of traction and control. The vehicle can feel like it's floating. The best way to prevent hydroplaning is to slow down on wet roads. If it happens, you must ease off the accelerator and steer straight until traction is regained.

• ✓The best way to keep from hydroplaning is to slow down when the road is wet.
• ✓If you start to hydroplane, take your foot off the accelerator and avoid making sudden turns or braking hard.
• ✓Keep the steering wheel steady and look in the direction you want to go until your tires regain contact with the road surface.

Drivers use three types of vision: central (for detail directly ahead), fringe (for the edges of your central view), and peripheral (what you see to the sides). As your speed increases, the quality of all three types of vision is reduced, effectively narrowing your field of view and making it much harder to spot hazards from the side.

• ✓Higher speeds reduce the quality and scope of your central, fringe, and peripheral vision.
• ✓To see potential hazards clearly, especially those at the sides of the road, you may need to reduce your speed.

Washington law requires any driver involved in a collision to stop at the scene. Leaving is a serious offense. Your duties include checking for injuries, moving vehicles out of traffic lanes if possible, and warning oncoming traffic. If you hit an unattended parked vehicle, you have a legal obligation to find the owner or leave a note with your contact and collision details.

• ✓You must not drive away from a collision scene; doing so is illegal.
• ✓If you are involved in a collision, you should move your vehicle to the side of the road if possible to avoid blocking traffic.
• ✓If you hit a parked vehicle and cannot find the owner, you must leave a note with your contact information, and the date and time of the collision.

After a collision, drivers must exchange information, including name, contact details, driver license number, and insurance policy information. State law also mandates that a collision report form be filed with the Department of Licensing (DOL) within four days if a law enforcement officer does not file one at the scene. This is a legal requirement.

• ✓You are required to file a collision report form with the DOL within 4 days of a crash if a law enforcement officer does not do it for you.
• ✓Following a collision, you must exchange your name, contact information, driver license number, and insurance company/policy number with others involved.
• ✓Do not move injured people after a crash unless they are in a burning vehicle or other immediate danger.

Collisions involving power lines present a unique and severe electrocution risk. If power lines fall on your vehicle, the safest action is to stay inside, call 911, and wait for emergency responders. The ground around the vehicle may be energized. If you must evacuate due to a fire, you must jump completely clear of the vehicle, landing with both feet together, and then shuffle away to safety.

• ✓If power lines fall on your vehicle, you must stay inside the vehicle and call 911 for help.
• ✓Warn people to stay at least 35 feet away from a vehicle that is in contact with a power line, as the ground may be energized.
• ✓If you must exit a vehicle touching a power line because of a fire, jump clear with both feet landing together and shuffle at least 35 feet away.

If your vehicle experiences a mechanical failure while driving, your first priority is to get it safely off the road and away from traffic. It is crucial to make your vehicle visible to others by using emergency flashers and, if available, placing flares 200-300 feet behind your vehicle. Specific failures require distinct responses: for a tire blowout, you must avoid hard braking; for a stuck accelerator, shift to neutral immediately.

• ✓If a tire blows out, grip the steering wheel firmly, take your foot off the accelerator to slow down gradually, and do not brake hard.
• ✓If your accelerator pedal sticks, you should quickly shift the vehicle into neutral and then pull off the road when safe.
• ✓To signal an emergency breakdown, turn on your emergency flashers, lift the hood, or tie a white cloth to the antenna or door handle.

When being pulled over by law enforcement, you must signal and pull over to the right side of the road as soon as it is safe. For the safety of both you and the officer, turn off your engine, turn on your interior light at night, and keep your hands on the steering wheel. Do not reach for your documents until the officer instructs you to do so.

• ✓When an officer pulls you over, you should keep your hands on the steering wheel until the officer gives you other instructions.
• ✓Wait for the officer to ask for your documents before reaching for your driver license, proof of insurance, or vehicle registration.
• ✓If you are pulled over at night, you should turn on your vehicle's interior lights.

In Washington, if you are issued a traffic ticket, you are required to sign it. This signature is not an admission of guilt but an acknowledgment that you received the ticket and promise to respond. Refusing to sign can result in your arrest. You must follow the instructions on the ticket within 15 days to prevent the suspension of your driving privileges.

• ✓You are required to sign a traffic ticket when it is issued to you; refusing to sign may lead to your arrest.
• ✓You must respond to the instructions on a traffic ticket within 15 days to avoid having your driving privileges suspended.
• ✓Signing a traffic ticket is an acknowledgment of receipt, not an admission of guilt.