Author: DOUG DAHL

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What’s the Point of Fenders if They Don’t Cover Your Tires?

Q: Is anything being done about trucks with tires that stick out past their fenders? I’m pretty sure that’s not legal. Why are people allowed to do that?

A: It’s not that the law allows people to drive around with tires that project past their fenders; it’s that some people chose to do it anyway. Washington law is clear about the need for fenders and mud flaps. There are actually two laws that address the issue. The Revised Code of Washington states that, “no person may operate any motor vehicle . . . that is not equipped with fenders, covers, flaps or splash aprons . . .” It goes on to state that fenders and mud flaps must be as wide as the tires and extend to at least the center of the axle.

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World Day of Remembrance 2019

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is commemorated to remember the many people killed and injured on our roads, together with their families, friends and many others who are also affected.  It is also a day on which we thank the emergency services and reflect on the tremendous burden and cost of this daily continuing disaster to families and communities, and on ways to halt it. Our remembrance ceremony will include stories from emergency responders and a family member of a victim of a traffic crash, along with a memorial walk to honor the victims of traffic crashes in Whatcom County.

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Stopping To Be Nice or Stopping To Be Safe (Is It The Same?)

Q: I have seen drivers stop at an “unlighted” cross walk and direct pedestrians standing on the curb to cross in front of them, oblivious of the cars behind them or along side of them (In my opinion, creating a deadly hazard). Is the driver acting safely and shouldn’t the pedestrians wave the driver to pass?

A: I’ve been a pedestrian for most of my life (an obvious statement), but in the last year I’ve experienced a new pedestrian phenomenon I’ll call “the stroller exception.” About a year ago I became a grandfather, and now on frequent occasions I get to go on walks with my granddaughter, pushing her in her stroller. Often when we are headed toward a crosswalk a driver will stop for us even if the driver doesn’t have a stop sign and we aren’t even close to the edge of the road yet. That’s an experience I don’t get when I’m walking by myself.

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DUI Checkpoints In Washington

Q: I know some other states, as well as British Columbia, use DUI checkpoints to catch drunk drivers. I’ve never seen them in Washington. Why not?

A: The answer you’ll most often hear as to why Washington doesn’t use DUI checkpoints (also called sobriety checkpoints) is that they’re unconstitutional. And that’s almost true. However, that’s not the whole story. I should first clarify that when we talk about DUI checkpoints being unconstitutional, we’re referring to the Washington State constitution. The US constitution doesn’t prohibit DUI checkpoints, unless you’re in Texas, where they prohibit checkpoints based on their interpretation of the US constitution. Some states have laws authorizing the use of DUI checkpoints, while others have no explicit statutory authority either endorsing or prohibiting them. Thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia use DUI checkpoints.

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How To Be In The Bike Lane (Or Any Other Lane)

Q: Is it okay for a cyclist to ride right on the edge of the bike lane although they have the whole bike lane to ride in? I understand that they might have to move for a second to either go around junk or glass in the bike lane but staying on the line is the question.

A: I’m going to take the liberty of interpreting your word “okay” several different ways. You might be able to come up with more meanings, but I came up with these: “Is it okay?” could mean “Is it legal?”, “Is it culturally acceptable?” and “Is it safe?” Let’s try to answer all three.

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It’s National Fall Hat Month. And Child Passenger Safety Month.

September is National Child Passenger Safety Month. It’s also National Chicken Month, International Update Your Resume Month, National Piano Month, and about thirty-five other reasons to celebrate. Even the blueberry popsicle declares September as its month. And don’t get started on specific weeks and days. Cheese, skyscrapers and telephones all have their own day. Add them all up and September has 130 supposed holidays. Some of these are patently ridiculous – National Meow Like a Pirate Day? What? That doesn’t even make sense. But if you have kids, care for kids, like kids or even just begrudgingly admit that they are our future, this month has an important message. Plus it’s a good time to address changes to the law.

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The Right Way to Signal Right (on a bike)

Q: What is the correct hand signal for a right turn when riding a bike? Do you extend your left hand up or your right hand out?

A: Yes. At least according to the law. But before we get to that, let’s agree that signaling, no matter how you do it, whether you’re on a bike or in a car, is one of the bare minimum behaviors that we commit to practice when we’re on the road. If you’re not signaling, you’ve not only violated the written law; you’ve also violated the unwritten rules that define how other drivers will feel about you as a fellow human. Signals help other drivers understand our intentions, making driving more predictable and safe. Not making the effort to push on that little lever on your steering column or extend an arm is essentially like telling everyone else on the road that you think you’re too special to play by the rules. Okay, enough preaching. Back to the question.

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When Medical Issues Impair Driving

Q: Might you know if there is a state law regarding driving after having a stroke? Is there a restriction on a driver license for a period of time after having a stroke?

A: This is a tricky one. You’ll understand why at the end. I don’t know of any law that specifically prohibits a person who has had a stroke from driving. That make sense; strokes come in many varieties and not all of them affect a person’s ability to drive. So let’s make the question broader. If you experience a health event that negatively affects your driving, are you still allowed to drive? There are two parts to this answer: what the law says about your own driving, and what the law gives the Department of Licensing (DOL) authority to do.

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More of When to Stop for a School Bus

Q: I’ve received a few questions about stopping for school buses in various non-traditional scenarios, like these: Do I have to stop for a school bus pulling out of a parking lot when I am driving on the road? What do I do if a school bus puts its stop paddle out at an intersection when I have a green light?

A: We’ve covered the basics of when to stop for a school bus in a previous article, so if you’re in need of a refresher you can find here with the clever title, “When to Stop for a School Bus.” But not every scenario matches the basic descriptions found there, so let’s dig into some core principles of school bus laws.

I’ll begin with the first sentence of the law on encountering school buses: “The driver of a vehicle upon overtaking or meeting from either direction any school bus which has stopped on the roadway for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children shall stop the vehicle before reaching such school bus . . .” and goes on to say it applies when the red lights are blinking and the stop sign is extended. That’s the default – you have to stop when a school bus is picking up or dropping off kids. The next few sentences provide a limited list of scenarios where drivers don’t have to stop, but mostly, if you encounter a school bus loading or unloading kids, you have to stop.

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