Washington

RCW 46.61.500
Reckless driving — Penalty.

(1) Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. Violation of the provisions of this section is a gross misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of not more than one year and by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars.

     (2) The license or permit to drive or any nonresident privilege of any person convicted of reckless driving shall be suspended by the department for not less than thirty days.

[1990 c 291 § 1; 1979 ex.s. c 136 § 85; 1967 c 32 § 67; 1965 ex.s. c 155 § 59.]

NOTES:

 

Rules of court:  Bail in criminal traffic offense cases — Mandatory appearance — CrRLJ 3.2.

 

     Effective date — Severability — 1979 ex.s. c 136: See notes following RCW 46.63.010.

 

Arrest of person involved in reckless driving: RCW 10.31.100.

Criminal history and driving record: RCW 46.61.513.

Embracing another while driving as reckless driving: RCW 46.61.665.

Excess speed as prima facie evidence of reckless driving: RCW 46.61.465.

Racing of vehicles on public highways, reckless driving: RCW 46.61.530.

Revocation of license, reckless driving: RCW 46.20.285. RCW 46.61.400
Basic rule and maximum limits.

(1) No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. In every event speed shall be so controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.

     (2) Except when a special hazard exists that requires lower speed for compliance with subsection (1) of this section, the limits specified in this section or established as hereinafter authorized shall be maximum lawful speeds, and no person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed in excess of such maximum limits.

     (a) Twenty-five miles per hour on city and town streets;

     (b) Fifty miles per hour on county roads;

     (c) Sixty miles per hour on state highways.

     The maximum speed limits set forth in this section may be altered as authorized in RCW 46.61.405, 46.61.410, and 46.61.415.

     (3) The driver of every vehicle shall, consistent with the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, drive at an appropriate reduced speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railway grade crossing, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, and when special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions.

[1965 ex.s. c 155 § 54; 1963 c 16 § 1. Formerly RCW 46.48.011.]

NOTES:

 

Rules of court:  Monetary penalty schedule — IRLJ 6.2.

 

     Saving of existing orders, etc., establishing speed limits — 1963 c 16: “This act shall not repeal or invalidate existing orders and resolutions of the state highway commission or existing resolutions and ordinances of local authorities establishing speed limits within their respective jurisdictions.” [1963 c 16 § 7. Formerly RCW 46.48.016.]

RCW 46.61.465
Exceeding speed limit evidence of reckless driving.

The unlawful operation of a vehicle in excess of the maximum lawful speeds provided in this chapter at the point of operation and under the circumstances described shall be prima facie evidence of the operation of a motor vehicle in a reckless manner by the operator thereof.

[1961 c 12 § 46.48.026. Prior: 1951 c 28 § 12; 1949 c 196 § 6, part; 1947 c 200 § 8, part; 1937 c 189 § 64, part; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 6360-64, part; 1927 c 309 § 3, part; 1923 c 181 § 6, part; 1921 c 96 § 27, part; 1917 c 155 § 16, part; 1915 c 142 § 24, part; RRS § 6362-3, part; 1909 c 249 § 279, part; Rem. & Bal. § 2531, part. Formerly RCW 46.48.026.]