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Disturbing Trends in Impaired Driving

When it comes to impaired driving, how are we doing? Since the 1970’s, the message has consistently been, “If you drink, don’t drive,” and “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.” The laws have become stricter, the penalties have become steeper. But has it worked?

A few years ago I could have confidently answered yes, or at least had an optimistic outlook. We were on track, with fewer fatalities from impaired driving every year. But then the situation changed. What happened? The answer is pretty simple: Continue reading “Disturbing Trends in Impaired Driving”

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Can Postal Carriers Park Wherever They Want?

Q: Is it legal for mail carriers to park their vehicles in front of a fire hydrant? Right in front of the no parking zone sign?

A: As clearly stated in RCW 46.61.570, drivers shall not stand or park a vehicle within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant. Wait, maybe that isn’t clear. What’s the difference between standing and parking a vehicle? I’ll skip the legal jargon and instead offer a simple explanation. You could legally stop your car in a no-standing zone to allow passengers to get into or out of your car. Any other reason for stopping would be considered “standing”. In a no-parking zone, along with allowing passengers in and out of your car, you could also load or unload property. Both exceptions to standing and parking are limited to the actual time it takes to load or unload passengers or property. Continue reading “Can Postal Carriers Park Wherever They Want?”

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Bloody Legend

It might take a few views to understand the accent in this PSA from New Zealand. Kind of like how it takes the first few minutes of a Shakespeare play to get a handle on the old English. Or trying to follow the hillbillies in Deliverance. But the dialect is intentional; it’s meant to connect with young indigenous men in New Zealand. The audience is specific, but the message is universal: If your friend is too drunk to drive, do something about it.

Holiday impaired driving patrols start this weekend. No matter where you decide to party, whether it’s New Zealand or northwest Washington, be safe and drive sober.

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Angle Parking and Bike Helmets

Q: Could you address the rules and regulations on angle parking? In Fairhaven big trucks seem to hang out into the narrow street when they’re parked in the diagonal parking along the street.

A: The rule you’re looking for is in Washington Administrative Code 308-330-433. You’re not allowed to park a car in such a way as to leave less than ten feet of roadway available for traffic. Continue reading “Angle Parking and Bike Helmets”

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How To Drive In (Or Not In) A Funeral Procession

Q: Recently I was driving and came across a funeral procession. There was no police escort, but my father taught me to pull over to the side of the road when I was young. Is there a law requiring this? Several people on the road in front of me did not pull off.

A: What your father taught you may have been motivated more by respect for those in mourning than by the letter of the law. Or it may have been based on the law of another state. Laws about funeral processions vary from state to state. In Washington the law doesn’t require drivers to pull over to the side of the road for funeral processions, but there are a few rules on the topic. Continue reading “How To Drive In (Or Not In) A Funeral Procession”

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Disabled Parking And The Law

Q: What is the law concerned handicapped parking spaces? Must a handicapped person always be present to justify their use? Can abuses be reported, and to whom? Is there a fine that can be imposed to those who misuse a permit?

A: Working backwards through the questions; yes, yes (the police), yes, and you’ll find the laws in chapter 46.19 of the RCW. That’s the super-short summary; now let’s dig in. To start with, I know that we usually use the term “handicapped parking”, but the Revised Code of Washington titled the chapter “Special Parking Privileges for Persons With Disabilities”, and throughout the chapter refers to “special parking privileges” so I’ll be using that term here. I just wanted to point that out so we all know we’re talking about the same thing. Continue reading “Disabled Parking And The Law”

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Emergency Vehicles: When To Yield

Q: This question is referring to roads where there are two lanes in each direction with a center turn lane. When there is an emergency vehicle with it’s lights and siren on traveling in the opposite direction, do you have to pull over to the shoulder and stop?

A: I’m inclined to err on a cautious reading of the law with this question, recognizing that there might be room for other interpretations. Here’s what the law says, as found in RCW 46.61.210: “Upon the immediate approach of an authorized vehicle making use of audible and visual signals . . . the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway . . . and shall stop . . .” Continue reading “Emergency Vehicles: When To Yield”

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Traffic Signals and Traffic Jams

Q: Have the traffic lights in Bellingham been professionally set up, that is adjusted to allow for the best flow of traffic? I do not understand how the city doesn’t have the ability to have the lights synchronized on some of our busiest roads.

A: This question is adapted from a stack of questions about signal timing in Bellingham. The top three locations where drivers get frustrated by traffic lights are, in order, Sunset Drive, Guide Meridian and Lakeway Drive. Of those three, Sunset Drive has a dominating lead in the complaint column. Continue reading “Traffic Signals and Traffic Jams”

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Fences, Shrubs and Traffic Laws

Q: My view of oncoming traffic when making a left turn onto a busy street is obscured by a tall fence installed very close to the street. I cannot have a full view of cross-traffic without moving up very close to the busy street. This seems quite dangerous. Are there rules about fences or shrubs blocking views of traffic at corners where drivers are making turns?

A: I think most drivers at some point have encountered an intersection like you’ve described and asked the same question: “Isn’t there a law about this?” If you searched through the traffic section of the Revised Code of Washington you wouldn’t find anything. And if you expanded your search into other sections of the RCW the best you might find is a law that allows the Department of Transportation to remove obstructions from the side of state highways. Continue reading “Fences, Shrubs and Traffic Laws”

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How To Get Through a Yellow Light (Without Getting a Ticket)

Q: What is the standard for judging whether to continue to proceed through an intersection with a yellow light? If a police officer was going to issue a citation, what would they look for? There seems to be a whole continuum and sometimes it is hard to judge whether to make a fast stop or proceed.

A: The classic yellow light dilemma: Do I floor it or slam on the brakes? I’ve heard people say, “Red means stop, green means go, yellow means go faster.” That’s obviously not helpful advice, but in observing drivers at intersections, some people have readily accepted that flawed guidance. In this column I hope to bring a more balanced perspective to the yellow light discussion. Continue reading “How To Get Through a Yellow Light (Without Getting a Ticket)”