Ordinance 2115ORDINANCE NO. 2115
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON,
AMENDING SECTION 8.02.010 OF THE EDMONDS CITY CODE
TO ADOPT BY REFERENCE RCW 46.61.502 AND 46.61.504
TO PROHIBIT DRIVING OR BEING IN ACTUAL PHYSICAL
CONTROL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE
OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR OR ANY DRUG; AMENDING SECTION
8.02.030 OF THE EDMONDS CITY CODE TO DELETE AND REPEAL
SECTION 46.61.515(1) AND 46.61.515(2) WHICH HAVE BEEN
ADOPTED BY REFERENCE IN THE MTO TO ELIMINATE MANDATORY
JAIL SENTENCES; AMENDING SECTION 5.45.020(b)(4) TO
REQUIRE EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES BEFORE A JAIL
SENTENCE IS SUSPENDED, DEFERRED OR NOT IMPOSED AND
TO REQUIRE A WRITTEN STATEMENT OF REASONS THEREFORE;
AND IMPOSING PENALTIES.
WHEREAS, the following amendments are in the best
interest of the public health, safety and general welfare, now,
therefore,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, DO
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 8.02.010 of the Edmonds City Code
is hereby amended to adopt by reference RCW 46.61.502 and 46.61.504
and to read as follows:
"8.02.010 ADOPTION BY REFERENCE.
The Washington Model Traffic Ordinance, RCW Chapter 46.90 herein-
after referred to as the MTO and RCW 46.61.202, RCW 46.61.215,
RCW 46.61.261, RCW 46.61.264, RCW 46.61.266, RCW 46.61.269, RCW
46.61.502, RCW 46.61.504, RCW 46.61.540, RCW 46.61.606, RCW
46.61.608 and RCW 46.61.614 are hereby adopted by this reference
as and for the traffic ordinance of the City of Edmonds as if set
forth in full herein with the exception of the penalty provisions
thereof which are superseded by the penalty provisions of the
ordinance codified in this Title as set forth in Section 8.60.010,
and the general penalty provisions set forth in Section 5.45.020
of the Edmonds City Code and except as provided in Sections
8.02.020 and 8.02.030."
-1-
Section 2. Section 8.02.030 of the Edmonds City Code
is hereby amended to delete and repeal from the MTO RCW 46.61.515(1)
and (2) and to read as follows:
"8.020.030 STATUTES NOT ADOPTED.
The following sections in the RCW which were adopted by reference
in the MTO are not adopted by this reference and are expressly
deleted:
RCW
46.04.431
RCW
46.80.130
RCW
46.48.170
RCW
46.98.020
RCW
46.52.145
RCW
46.98.030
RCW
46.61.515(1)
RCW
46.98.040
RCW
46.61.515(2)
RCW
60.04.010 through .220"
RCW
46.80.010
Section 3. Section 5.45.020(b)(4) of the Edmonds City
Code is hereby amended to require extraordinary circumstances
before jail time is suspended or deferred and to read as follows:
"4. RCW 46.61.502 and RCW 46.61.504, Driving or bein
in actual physical control of a motor vehicle
while under the influence of or affected by
intoxicating liquor and/or drugs. (Adopted by
reference as a part of the MTO)
(i) Every person convicted of a violation of
the offenses set forth in this subsection
shall be punished by imprisonment for not
less than one (1) day in jail. The one (1)
day in jail shall not be suspended or de-
ferred unless the Judge finds that there are
extraordinary circumstances and that the jail
sentence should be suspended or deferred.
Whenever the mandatory jail sentence is
suspended or deferred, the Judge must state
in writing the reason for granting the sus-
pension or deferral and the facts upon which
the suspension or deferral is based.
(ii) On a second or subsequent conviction of the
offenses set forth in this subsection within
a five (5) year period, a person shall be
punished by imprisonment for not less than
seven (7) days in jail. The seven (7) day
mandatory jail sentence shall not be sus-
-2-
pended or deferred unless the Judge finds
that there are extraordinary circumstances
and that the seven (7) day jail sentence
should be suspended or deferred. Whenever
the mandatory seven (7) day jail sentence is
suspended or deferred, the Judge must state
in writing the reasons for granting the
suspension or deferral and the facts upon
which the suspension or deferral is based."
Section 4. Any person violating any of the provisions
of this Ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon con-
viction thereof punished as set forth in Section 5.45.020 of the
Edmonds City Code.
Section 5. Severability. If any section, subsection,
phrase or word of this Ordinance is held invalid or unconstitu-
tional by a Court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or
unconstitutionality shall not affect the remaining provisions of
this Ordinance.
Section 6. This Ordinance shall be in full force and
effect five (5) days after passage and publication by posting as
provided by law.
APPROVED:
MAYOR, -. H: HARRISON
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
J ?�" Am�)
CITY CLERK, IRENE YARNEY MORAN
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
OFFICE_9V THE CITY ATTORNEY:
BY
FILE WITH THE CITY CLERK: January 24, 1980
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: January 29, 1980
POSTED: January 30, 1980
EFFECTIVE DATE: February 4, 1980
—3—
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING ORDINANCE
STATE OF WASHINGTON )
) ss:
COUNTY OF SNOHOMISH )
IRENE VARNEY MORAN , being first duly sworn
on oath deposes and says that S he is over the age of eighteen
(18) years and is competent to testify as to the matter
stated herein.
On the 30 th
day of January , 198 0, affiant
posted true and correct copies of the attached Ordinance No.
2115, passed by the City Council on the
29th
day of
January , 1980 , at the three official posting places
for City notices which are the public bulletin boards at
the following locations:
Edmonds Civic Center
250 Fifth Avenue North
Edmonds, Washington 98020
Edmonds Public Library
Civic Center
250 Fifth Avenue North
Edmonds, Washington 98020
Edmond Branch of the
United States Post Office
201 Main Street
Edmonds, Washington 98020
DATED this 30th day of January , 1980_.
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me th s '() day of
C L , 19 8 U.
N ar Public in and for the
State of Washington, residing
at�C'���Z�L �/
Rules of The Road
46.61.504
Im
greater than thirty-five miles per hour unless such mo-
tor -driven cycle is equipped with a head lamp or lamps
which are adequate to reveal a person or vehicle at a
distance of three hundred feet ahead. [1965 ex.s. c 155 §
57.]
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 de-
scribed 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.]
46,61.470 Speed traps outlawed Measured
courses. No evidence as to the speed of any vehicle op-
erated upon a public highway by any person arrested for
violation of any of the laws of this state regarding speed
or of any orders, rules or regulations of any city or town
or other political subdivision relating thereto shall be
admitted in evidence in any court at a subsequent trial
of such person in case such evidence relates to or is
based upon the maintenance or use of a speed trap. A
"speed trap," within the meaning of this section, is a
particular section of or distance on any public highway,
the length of which has been or is measured off or
otherwise designated or determined, and the limits of
which are within the vision of any officer or officers who
calculate the speed of a vehicle passing through such
speed trap by using the lapsed time during which such
vehicle travels between the entrance and exit of such
speed trap: Provided, That evidence shall be admissible
against any person arrested for violation of any of the
laws of this state or of any orders, rules or regulations of
any city or town or other political subdivision regarding
speed if the same is determined by a particular section
of or distance on a public highway, the length of which
has been accurately measured off or otherwise desig-
nated or determined and the limits of which are con-
trolled by a mechanical, electrical or other device
capable of measuring or recording the speed of a vehicle
passing within such limits within an error of not to ex-
ceed five percent using the lapsed time during which
such vehicle travels between such limits: Provided fur-
ther, That such limits shall not be closer than one-fourth
mile. [1961 c 12 § 46.48.120. Prior: 1937 c 189 § 74;
RRS § 6360-74; 1927 c 309 § 7; RRS § 6362-7. Form-
erly RCW 46.48.120.1
46.61.475 Charging violations of speed regulations.
(1) In every charge of violation of any speed regulation
in this chapter the complaint, also the summons or no-
tice to appear, shall specify the approximate speed at
which the defendant is alleged to have driven, also the
maximum speed applicable within the district or at the
location. [1965 ex.s. c 155 § 58.)
RECKLESS DRIVING, DRIVING WHILE
INTOXICATED, AND NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE
BY VEHICLE
46.61.500 Reckless driving Penalty. (Effective
until July 1, 1980.) (1) Any person who drives any vehi-
cle in wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of per-
sons or property is guilty of reckless driving.
(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. [1967 c 32 § 67; 1965 ex.s. c 155 § 59.1
46.61.500 Reckless driving Penalty. (Effective
July 1, 1980.) (1) Any person who drives any vehicle in
wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or
property is guilty of reckless driving. Violation of the
provisions of this section is a misdemeanor.
(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. [1979 1st ex.s. c 136 § 85; 1967 c 32 § 67; 1965
ex.s. c 155 § 59.1
Effective date—Severability-1979 let ex.s. c 136: See notes
following RCW 46.63.010.
Arrest of person involved in reckless driving: RCW 10.31.100.
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.
46.61.502 Driving while under influence of intoxicat-
ing liquor or drug What constitutes. A person is
guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicat-
ing liquor or any drug if he drives a vehicle within this
state while:
(1) He has 0.10 percent or more by weight of alcohol
in his blood as shown by chemical analysis of his breath,
blood, or other bodily substance made under RCW 46-
.61.506 as now or hereafter amended; or
(2) He is under the influence of or affected by intoxi-
cating liquor or any drug; or
(3) He is under the combined influence of or affected
by intoxicating liquor and any drug.
The fact that any person charged with a violation of
this section is or has been entitled to use such drug un-
der the laws of this state shall not constitute a defense
against any charge of violating this section. [1979 1st
ex.s. c 176 § 1.1
Severability-1979 1st ex.s. c 176: "If any provision of this act or
its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the re-
mainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons
or circumstances is not affected." [1979 1st ex.s. c 176 § 8.]
46.61.504 Actual physical control of motor vehicle
while under influence of intoxicating liquor or drug
What constitutes —Defenses. A person is guilty of be-
ing in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while
under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug if
he has actual physical control of a vehicle within this
state while:
[Title 46 RCW (1979 Ed." 1671
46.61.504
Title 46 RCW: Motor Vehicles
(1) He has a 0.10 percent or more by weight of alco-
hol in his blood as shown by chemical analysis of his
breath, blood, or other bodily substance made under
RCW 46.61.506, as now or hereafter amended; or
(2) He is under the influence of or affected by intoxi-
cating liquor or any drug; or
(3) He is under the combined influence of or affected
by intoxicating liquor and any drug.
The fact that any person charged with a violation of
this section is or, has been entitled to use such drug un-
der the laws of this state shall not constitute a defense
against any charge of violating this section. No person
may be convicted under this section if, prior to being
pursued by a law enforcement officer, he has moved the
vehicle safely off the roadway. [1979 1st ex.s. c 176 §
2.]
Severability-1979 1st ex.s. c 176: See note following RCW
46.61.502.
46.61.506 Persons under influence of intoxicating li-
quor or drug —Evidence --Chemical tests —Infor-
mation concerning tests. (1) Upon the trial of any civil
or criminal action or proceeding arising out of acts al-
leged to have been committed by any person while driv-
ing or in actual physical control of a vehicle while under
the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, if the
amount of alcohol in the person's blood at the time al-
leged as shown by chemical analysis of his blood, breath,
or other bodily substance is less than 0.10 percent by
weight of alcohol in the person's blood, it is evidence
that may be considered with other competent evidence in
determining whether the person was under the influence
of intoxicating liquor or any drug.
(2) Percent by weight of alcohol in the blood shall be
based upon milligrams of alcohol per one hundred cubic
centimeters of blood. The foregoing provisions of this
section shall not be construed as limiting the introduc-
tion of any other competent evidence bearing upon the
question whether the person was under the influence of
intoxicating liquor or any drug.
(3) Chemical analysis of the person's blood or breath
to be considered valid under the provisions of this section
or RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 shall have been per-
formed according to methods approved by the state tox-
icologist and by an individual possessing a valid permit
issued by the state toxicologist for this purpose. The
state toxicologist is directed to approve satisfactory
techniques or methods, to supervise the examination of
individuals to ascertain their qualifications and compe-
tence to conduct such analyses, and to issue permits
which shall be subject to termination or revocation at
the discretion of the state toxicologist.
(4) When a blood test is administered under the pro-
visions of RCW 46.20.308, the withdrawal of blood for
the purpose of determining its alcoholic content may be
performed only by a physician, a registered nurse, or a
qualified technician. This limitation shall not apply to
the taking of breath specimens.
(5) The person tested may have a physician, or a
qualified technician, chemist, registered nurse, or other
qualified person of his own choosing administer a chem-
ical test or tests in addition to any administered at the
direction of a law enforcement officer. The failure or in-
ability to obtain an additional test by a person shall not
preclude the admission of evidence relating to the test or
tests taken at the direction of a law enforcement officer.
(6) Upon the request of the person who shall submit
to a chemical test or tests at the request of a law en-
forcement officer, full information concerning the test or
tests shall be made available to him or his attorney.
(1979 1st ex.s. c 176 § 5; 1975 1st ex.s. c 287 § 1; 1969
c 1 § 3 (Initiative Measure No. 242 § 3).)
Severabllity-1979 1st ex.s. c 176: See note following RCW
46.61,502.
Severability-1969 c 1: See RCW 46.20.911.
Arrest of driver under influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs: RCW
10.31.100.
46.61.508 Liability of medical personnel withdrawing
blood. No physician, registered nurse, qualified techni-
cian, or hospital, or duly licensed clinical laboratory em-
ploying or utilizing services of such physician, registered
nurse, or qualified technician, shall incur any civil or
criminal liability as a result of the act of withdrawing
blood from any person when directed by a law enforce-
ment officer to do so for the purpose of a blood test un-
der the provisions of RCW 46.20.308, as now or
hereafter amended: Provided, That nothing in this sec-
tion shall relieve any physician, registered nurse, quali-
fied technician, or hospital or duly licensed clinical
laboratory from civil liability arising from the use of
improper procedures or failing to exercise the required
standard of care. [1977 ex.s. c 143 § 1.]
46.61.515 Driving or being in physical control of
motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating li-
quor or drugs —Penalties —Penalty assessments in
addition to fines, etc. —suspension or revocation of li-
cense —Appeal. (1) Every person who is convicted of a
violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 shall be pun-
ished by imprisonment for not less than one day nor
more than one year, and by a fine of not more than five
hundred dollars. The person shall, in addition, be re-
quired to complete a course at an alcohol information
school approved by the department of social and health
services. One day of the jail sentence shall not be sus-
pended or deferred unless the judge finds that the impo-
sition of the jail sentence will pose a risk to the
defendant's physical or mental well—being. Whenever the
mandatory jail sentence is suspended or deferred, the
judge must state, in writing, the reason for granting the
suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the sus-
pension or deferral is based.
(2) On a second or subsequent conviction under RCW
46.61.502 or 46.61.504 within a five year period a per-
son shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than
seven days nor more than one year and by a fine not
more than one thousand dollars. The jail sentence shall
not be suspended or deferred unless the judge finds that
the imposition of the jail sentence will pose a risk to the
defendant's physical or mental well—being. Whenever the
mandatory jail sentence is suspended or deferred, the
judge must state, in writing, the reason for granting the
[Title 46 RCW (1979 Ed.�—p 1681
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Rules of The Road
46.61.504
Im
greater than thirty-five miles per hour unless such mo-
tor -driven cycle is equipped with a head lamp or lamps
which are adequate to reveal a person or vehicle at a
distance of three hundred feet ahead. [1965 ex.s. c 155 §
57.]
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 de-
scribed 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.]
46,61.470 Speed traps outlawed Measured
courses. No evidence as to the speed of any vehicle op-
erated upon a public highway by any person arrested for
violation of any of the laws of this state regarding speed
or of any orders, rules or regulations of any city or town
or other political subdivision relating thereto shall be
admitted in evidence in any court at a subsequent trial
of such person in case such evidence relates to or is
based upon the maintenance or use of a speed trap. A
"speed trap," within the meaning of this section, is a
particular section of or distance on any public highway,
the length of which has been or is measured off or
otherwise designated or determined, and the limits of
which are within the vision of any officer or officers who
calculate the speed of a vehicle passing through such
speed trap by using the lapsed time during which such
vehicle travels between the entrance and exit of such
speed trap: Provided, That evidence shall be admissible
against any person arrested for violation of any of the
laws of this state or of any orders, rules or regulations of
any city or town or other political subdivision regarding
speed if the same is determined by a particular section
of or distance on a public highway, the length of which
has been accurately measured off or otherwise desig-
nated or determined and the limits of which are con-
trolled by a mechanical, electrical or other device
capable of measuring or recording the speed of a vehicle
passing within such limits within an error of not to ex-
ceed five percent using the lapsed time during which
such vehicle travels between such limits: Provided fur-
ther, That such limits shall not be closer than one-fourth
mile. [1961 c 12 § 46.48.120. Prior: 1937 c 189 § 74;
RRS § 6360-74; 1927 c 309 § 7; RRS § 6362-7. Form-
erly RCW 46.48.120.1
46.61.475 Charging violations of speed regulations.
(1) In every charge of violation of any speed regulation
in this chapter the complaint, also the summons or no-
tice to appear, shall specify the approximate speed at
which the defendant is alleged to have driven, also the
maximum speed applicable within the district or at the
location. [1965 ex.s. c 155 § 58.)
RECKLESS DRIVING, DRIVING WHILE
INTOXICATED, AND NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE
BY VEHICLE
46.61.500 Reckless driving Penalty. (Effective
until July 1, 1980.) (1) Any person who drives any vehi-
cle in wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of per-
sons or property is guilty of reckless driving.
(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. [1967 c 32 § 67; 1965 ex.s. c 155 § 59.1
46.61.500 Reckless driving Penalty. (Effective
July 1, 1980.) (1) Any person who drives any vehicle in
wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or
property is guilty of reckless driving. Violation of the
provisions of this section is a misdemeanor.
(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. [1979 1st ex.s. c 136 § 85; 1967 c 32 § 67; 1965
ex.s. c 155 § 59.1
Effective date—Severability-1979 let ex.s. c 136: See notes
following RCW 46.63.010.
Arrest of person involved in reckless driving: RCW 10.31.100.
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.
46.61.502 Driving while under influence of intoxicat-
ing liquor or drug What constitutes. A person is
guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicat-
ing liquor or any drug if he drives a vehicle within this
state while:
(1) He has 0.10 percent or more by weight of alcohol
in his blood as shown by chemical analysis of his breath,
blood, or other bodily substance made under RCW 46-
.61.506 as now or hereafter amended; or
(2) He is under the influence of or affected by intoxi-
cating liquor or any drug; or
(3) He is under the combined influence of or affected
by intoxicating liquor and any drug.
The fact that any person charged with a violation of
this section is or has been entitled to use such drug un-
der the laws of this state shall not constitute a defense
against any charge of violating this section. [1979 1st
ex.s. c 176 § 1.1
Severability-1979 1st ex.s. c 176: "If any provision of this act or
its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the re-
mainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons
or circumstances is not affected." [1979 1st ex.s. c 176 § 8.]
46.61.504 Actual physical control of motor vehicle
while under influence of intoxicating liquor or drug
What constitutes —Defenses. A person is guilty of be-
ing in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while
under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug if
he has actual physical control of a vehicle within this
state while:
[Title 46 RCW (1979 Ed." 1671
46.61.504
Title 46 RCW: Motor Vehicles
(1) He has a 0.10 percent or more by weight of alco-
hol in his blood as shown by chemical analysis of his
breath, blood, or other bodily substance made under
RCW 46.61.506, as now or hereafter amended; or
(2) He is under the influence of or affected by intoxi-
cating liquor or any drug; or
(3) He is under the combined influence of or affected
by intoxicating liquor and any drug.
The fact that any person charged with a violation of
this section is or, has been entitled to use such drug un-
der the laws of this state shall not constitute a defense
against any charge of violating this section. No person
may be convicted under this section if, prior to being
pursued by a law enforcement officer, he has moved the
vehicle safely off the roadway. [1979 1st ex.s. c 176 §
2.]
Severability-1979 1st ex.s. c 176: See note following RCW
46.61.502.
46.61.506 Persons under influence of intoxicating li-
quor or drug —Evidence --Chemical tests —Infor-
mation concerning tests. (1) Upon the trial of any civil
or criminal action or proceeding arising out of acts al-
leged to have been committed by any person while driv-
ing or in actual physical control of a vehicle while under
the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, if the
amount of alcohol in the person's blood at the time al-
leged as shown by chemical analysis of his blood, breath,
or other bodily substance is less than 0.10 percent by
weight of alcohol in the person's blood, it is evidence
that may be considered with other competent evidence in
determining whether the person was under the influence
of intoxicating liquor or any drug.
(2) Percent by weight of alcohol in the blood shall be
based upon milligrams of alcohol per one hundred cubic
centimeters of blood. The foregoing provisions of this
section shall not be construed as limiting the introduc-
tion of any other competent evidence bearing upon the
question whether the person was under the influence of
intoxicating liquor or any drug.
(3) Chemical analysis of the person's blood or breath
to be considered valid under the provisions of this section
or RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 shall have been per-
formed according to methods approved by the state tox-
icologist and by an individual possessing a valid permit
issued by the state toxicologist for this purpose. The
state toxicologist is directed to approve satisfactory
techniques or methods, to supervise the examination of
individuals to ascertain their qualifications and compe-
tence to conduct such analyses, and to issue permits
which shall be subject to termination or revocation at
the discretion of the state toxicologist.
(4) When a blood test is administered under the pro-
visions of RCW 46.20.308, the withdrawal of blood for
the purpose of determining its alcoholic content may be
performed only by a physician, a registered nurse, or a
qualified technician. This limitation shall not apply to
the taking of breath specimens.
(5) The person tested may have a physician, or a
qualified technician, chemist, registered nurse, or other
qualified person of his own choosing administer a chem-
ical test or tests in addition to any administered at the
direction of a law enforcement officer. The failure or in-
ability to obtain an additional test by a person shall not
preclude the admission of evidence relating to the test or
tests taken at the direction of a law enforcement officer.
(6) Upon the request of the person who shall submit
to a chemical test or tests at the request of a law en-
forcement officer, full information concerning the test or
tests shall be made available to him or his attorney.
(1979 1st ex.s. c 176 § 5; 1975 1st ex.s. c 287 § 1; 1969
c 1 § 3 (Initiative Measure No. 242 § 3).)
Severabllity-1979 1st ex.s. c 176: See note following RCW
46.61,502.
Severability-1969 c 1: See RCW 46.20.911.
Arrest of driver under influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs: RCW
10.31.100.
46.61.508 Liability of medical personnel withdrawing
blood. No physician, registered nurse, qualified techni-
cian, or hospital, or duly licensed clinical laboratory em-
ploying or utilizing services of such physician, registered
nurse, or qualified technician, shall incur any civil or
criminal liability as a result of the act of withdrawing
blood from any person when directed by a law enforce-
ment officer to do so for the purpose of a blood test un-
der the provisions of RCW 46.20.308, as now or
hereafter amended: Provided, That nothing in this sec-
tion shall relieve any physician, registered nurse, quali-
fied technician, or hospital or duly licensed clinical
laboratory from civil liability arising from the use of
improper procedures or failing to exercise the required
standard of care. [1977 ex.s. c 143 § 1.]
46.61.515 Driving or being in physical control of
motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating li-
quor or drugs —Penalties —Penalty assessments in
addition to fines, etc. —suspension or revocation of li-
cense —Appeal. (1) Every person who is convicted of a
violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 shall be pun-
ished by imprisonment for not less than one day nor
more than one year, and by a fine of not more than five
hundred dollars. The person shall, in addition, be re-
quired to complete a course at an alcohol information
school approved by the department of social and health
services. One day of the jail sentence shall not be sus-
pended or deferred unless the judge finds that the impo-
sition of the jail sentence will pose a risk to the
defendant's physical or mental well—being. Whenever the
mandatory jail sentence is suspended or deferred, the
judge must state, in writing, the reason for granting the
suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the sus-
pension or deferral is based.
(2) On a second or subsequent conviction under RCW
46.61.502 or 46.61.504 within a five year period a per-
son shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than
seven days nor more than one year and by a fine not
more than one thousand dollars. The jail sentence shall
not be suspended or deferred unless the judge finds that
the imposition of the jail sentence will pose a risk to the
defendant's physical or mental well—being. Whenever the
mandatory jail sentence is suspended or deferred, the
judge must state, in writing, the reason for granting the
[Title 46 RCW (1979 Ed.�—p 1681
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Rules of The Road
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greater than thirty-five miles per hour unless such mo-
tor -driven cycle is equipped with a head lamp or lamps
which are adequate to reveal a person or vehicle at a
distance of three hundred feet ahead. [1965 ex.s. c 155 §
57.]
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 de-
scribed 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.]
46,61.470 Speed traps outlawed Measured
courses. No evidence as to the speed of any vehicle op-
erated upon a public highway by any person arrested for
violation of any of the laws of this state regarding speed
or of any orders, rules or regulations of any city or town
or other political subdivision relating thereto shall be
admitted in evidence in any court at a subsequent trial
of such person in case such evidence relates to or is
based upon the maintenance or use of a speed trap. A
"speed trap," within the meaning of this section, is a
particular section of or distance on any public highway,
the length of which has been or is measured off or
otherwise designated or determined, and the limits of
which are within the vision of any officer or officers who
calculate the speed of a vehicle passing through such
speed trap by using the lapsed time during which such
vehicle travels between the entrance and exit of such
speed trap: Provided, That evidence shall be admissible
against any person arrested for violation of any of the
laws of this state or of any orders, rules or regulations of
any city or town or other political subdivision regarding
speed if the same is determined by a particular section
of or distance on a public highway, the length of which
has been accurately measured off or otherwise desig-
nated or determined and the limits of which are con-
trolled by a mechanical, electrical or other device
capable of measuring or recording the speed of a vehicle
passing within such limits within an error of not to ex-
ceed five percent using the lapsed time during which
such vehicle travels between such limits: Provided fur-
ther, That such limits shall not be closer than one-fourth
mile. [1961 c 12 § 46.48.120. Prior: 1937 c 189 § 74;
RRS § 6360-74; 1927 c 309 § 7; RRS § 6362-7. Form-
erly RCW 46.48.120.1
46.61.475 Charging violations of speed regulations.
(1) In every charge of violation of any speed regulation
in this chapter the complaint, also the summons or no-
tice to appear, shall specify the approximate speed at
which the defendant is alleged to have driven, also the
maximum speed applicable within the district or at the
location. [1965 ex.s. c 155 § 58.)
RECKLESS DRIVING, DRIVING WHILE
INTOXICATED, AND NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE
BY VEHICLE
46.61.500 Reckless driving Penalty. (Effective
until July 1, 1980.) (1) Any person who drives any vehi-
cle in wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of per-
sons or property is guilty of reckless driving.
(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. [1967 c 32 § 67; 1965 ex.s. c 155 § 59.1
46.61.500 Reckless driving Penalty. (Effective
July 1, 1980.) (1) Any person who drives any vehicle in
wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or
property is guilty of reckless driving. Violation of the
provisions of this section is a misdemeanor.
(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. [1979 1st ex.s. c 136 § 85; 1967 c 32 § 67; 1965
ex.s. c 155 § 59.1
Effective date—Severability-1979 let ex.s. c 136: See notes
following RCW 46.63.010.
Arrest of person involved in reckless driving: RCW 10.31.100.
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.
46.61.502 Driving while under influence of intoxicat-
ing liquor or drug What constitutes. A person is
guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicat-
ing liquor or any drug if he drives a vehicle within this
state while:
(1) He has 0.10 percent or more by weight of alcohol
in his blood as shown by chemical analysis of his breath,
blood, or other bodily substance made under RCW 46-
.61.506 as now or hereafter amended; or
(2) He is under the influence of or affected by intoxi-
cating liquor or any drug; or
(3) He is under the combined influence of or affected
by intoxicating liquor and any drug.
The fact that any person charged with a violation of
this section is or has been entitled to use such drug un-
der the laws of this state shall not constitute a defense
against any charge of violating this section. [1979 1st
ex.s. c 176 § 1.1
Severability-1979 1st ex.s. c 176: "If any provision of this act or
its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the re-
mainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons
or circumstances is not affected." [1979 1st ex.s. c 176 § 8.]
46.61.504 Actual physical control of motor vehicle
while under influence of intoxicating liquor or drug
What constitutes —Defenses. A person is guilty of be-
ing in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while
under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug if
he has actual physical control of a vehicle within this
state while:
[Title 46 RCW (1979 Ed." 1671
46.61.504
Title 46 RCW: Motor Vehicles
(1) He has a 0.10 percent or more by weight of alco-
hol in his blood as shown by chemical analysis of his
breath, blood, or other bodily substance made under
RCW 46.61.506, as now or hereafter amended; or
(2) He is under the influence of or affected by intoxi-
cating liquor or any drug; or
(3) He is under the combined influence of or affected
by intoxicating liquor and any drug.
The fact that any person charged with a violation of
this section is or, has been entitled to use such drug un-
der the laws of this state shall not constitute a defense
against any charge of violating this section. No person
may be convicted under this section if, prior to being
pursued by a law enforcement officer, he has moved the
vehicle safely off the roadway. [1979 1st ex.s. c 176 §
2.]
Severability-1979 1st ex.s. c 176: See note following RCW
46.61.502.
46.61.506 Persons under influence of intoxicating li-
quor or drug —Evidence --Chemical tests —Infor-
mation concerning tests. (1) Upon the trial of any civil
or criminal action or proceeding arising out of acts al-
leged to have been committed by any person while driv-
ing or in actual physical control of a vehicle while under
the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, if the
amount of alcohol in the person's blood at the time al-
leged as shown by chemical analysis of his blood, breath,
or other bodily substance is less than 0.10 percent by
weight of alcohol in the person's blood, it is evidence
that may be considered with other competent evidence in
determining whether the person was under the influence
of intoxicating liquor or any drug.
(2) Percent by weight of alcohol in the blood shall be
based upon milligrams of alcohol per one hundred cubic
centimeters of blood. The foregoing provisions of this
section shall not be construed as limiting the introduc-
tion of any other competent evidence bearing upon the
question whether the person was under the influence of
intoxicating liquor or any drug.
(3) Chemical analysis of the person's blood or breath
to be considered valid under the provisions of this section
or RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 shall have been per-
formed according to methods approved by the state tox-
icologist and by an individual possessing a valid permit
issued by the state toxicologist for this purpose. The
state toxicologist is directed to approve satisfactory
techniques or methods, to supervise the examination of
individuals to ascertain their qualifications and compe-
tence to conduct such analyses, and to issue permits
which shall be subject to termination or revocation at
the discretion of the state toxicologist.
(4) When a blood test is administered under the pro-
visions of RCW 46.20.308, the withdrawal of blood for
the purpose of determining its alcoholic content may be
performed only by a physician, a registered nurse, or a
qualified technician. This limitation shall not apply to
the taking of breath specimens.
(5) The person tested may have a physician, or a
qualified technician, chemist, registered nurse, or other
qualified person of his own choosing administer a chem-
ical test or tests in addition to any administered at the
direction of a law enforcement officer. The failure or in-
ability to obtain an additional test by a person shall not
preclude the admission of evidence relating to the test or
tests taken at the direction of a law enforcement officer.
(6) Upon the request of the person who shall submit
to a chemical test or tests at the request of a law en-
forcement officer, full information concerning the test or
tests shall be made available to him or his attorney.
(1979 1st ex.s. c 176 § 5; 1975 1st ex.s. c 287 § 1; 1969
c 1 § 3 (Initiative Measure No. 242 § 3).)
Severabllity-1979 1st ex.s. c 176: See note following RCW
46.61,502.
Severability-1969 c 1: See RCW 46.20.911.
Arrest of driver under influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs: RCW
10.31.100.
46.61.508 Liability of medical personnel withdrawing
blood. No physician, registered nurse, qualified techni-
cian, or hospital, or duly licensed clinical laboratory em-
ploying or utilizing services of such physician, registered
nurse, or qualified technician, shall incur any civil or
criminal liability as a result of the act of withdrawing
blood from any person when directed by a law enforce-
ment officer to do so for the purpose of a blood test un-
der the provisions of RCW 46.20.308, as now or
hereafter amended: Provided, That nothing in this sec-
tion shall relieve any physician, registered nurse, quali-
fied technician, or hospital or duly licensed clinical
laboratory from civil liability arising from the use of
improper procedures or failing to exercise the required
standard of care. [1977 ex.s. c 143 § 1.]
46.61.515 Driving or being in physical control of
motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating li-
quor or drugs —Penalties —Penalty assessments in
addition to fines, etc. —suspension or revocation of li-
cense —Appeal. (1) Every person who is convicted of a
violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 shall be pun-
ished by imprisonment for not less than one day nor
more than one year, and by a fine of not more than five
hundred dollars. The person shall, in addition, be re-
quired to complete a course at an alcohol information
school approved by the department of social and health
services. One day of the jail sentence shall not be sus-
pended or deferred unless the judge finds that the impo-
sition of the jail sentence will pose a risk to the
defendant's physical or mental well—being. Whenever the
mandatory jail sentence is suspended or deferred, the
judge must state, in writing, the reason for granting the
suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the sus-
pension or deferral is based.
(2) On a second or subsequent conviction under RCW
46.61.502 or 46.61.504 within a five year period a per-
son shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than
seven days nor more than one year and by a fine not
more than one thousand dollars. The jail sentence shall
not be suspended or deferred unless the judge finds that
the imposition of the jail sentence will pose a risk to the
defendant's physical or mental well—being. Whenever the
mandatory jail sentence is suspended or deferred, the
judge must state, in writing, the reason for granting the
[Title 46 RCW (1979 Ed.�—p 1681
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