Washington State Driving Rules and Traffic Laws

Vocabulary flashcards covering Washington State traffic laws, safety regulations, DUI limits, child restraint requirements, and driving procedures grounded in the lecture transcript.

Stopping Requirement for School Buses (Two-Lane Roadway)

Drivers traveling on both the same side and the opposite side of a two-lane, two-way roadway must stop when a school bus has its red warning lights flashing.

School Bus Stopping Exception

Drivers on the opposite side are not required to stop for a school bus with red lights flashing if the road has $3$ or more marked traffic lanes, or is divided by a median or physical barrier.

High Beam Dimming Distance

Drivers must dim their high beam lights whenever they are within $500\,\text{feet}$ of an oncoming vehicle.

Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana

Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana is illegal even if used legally, because it distorts perception of space, time, and speed.

Marijuana Ingestion Method Risks

Marijuana-infused foods affect consumers at a much slower rate than smoked marijuana, whereas smoked marijuana can damage lungs; both impair driving ability.

Under-21 THC Limit

Drivers under the age of $21$ are prohibited from operating a vehicle with any detectable amount of THC in their blood ($0\,\text{nanograms}$ per milliliter).

Age 21 or Older THC Limit

Drivers age $21$ or older may not operate a vehicle if they have a minimum THC level of $5\,\text{nanograms}$ per milliliter of blood.

Occupant Protection Law

Washington State law requiring all occupants in a moving vehicle to wear properly fastened seat belts; drivers are fined if a passenger under age $16$ is not wearing one.

Child Restraint Law (Height and Age Threshold)

Requires children who are under the age of $8$ and less than $4\,\text{feet}, 9\,\text{inches}$ in height to be seated in an approved child safety restraint system.

Front Seat Age Restriction

Washington's Child Restraint Law mandates that children under the age of $13$ must ride in the back seat of a moving vehicle.

Texting While Driving

An illegal activity in Washington State that serves as a dangerous distraction and may result in a traffic citation.

Hand-Held Cell Phone Law

It is illegal in Washington State to use a hand-held cell phone while driving; drivers must leave the roadway and safely stop before making a call.

Impairing Medication Driving Rule

Driving under the influence of any substance that impairs driving—including alcohol, prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and illegal drugs—is permitted under no circumstances.

Solid Yellow Line Next to a Broken Yellow Line

A traffic marking separating opposing lanes where vehicles traveling next to the broken line are permitted to pass.

Uphill Parking Without a Curb

Parking maneuver where front wheels must be turned right, toward the side of the road, so the vehicle rolls away from the center of the road if the brakes fail.

Minor Collision Traffic Clearance

Action required after a minor collision without injuries or fatalities, where drivers should move their vehicles out of the traffic lane if safely possible.

Following Distance Behind Large Trucks

Drivers should follow farther behind large trucks than passenger vehicles to account for the truck's larger blind spots.

Pedestrian Right-of-Way (White Cane or Guide Dog)

Pedestrians using guide dogs or white canes (with or without a red tip) must be given the right-of-way at all times.

Blind Spot Check Method

Looking over your shoulders to view areas around the vehicle that cannot be seen using mirrors.

Freeway Merging Protocol (Existing Traffic)

Drivers already on the freeway should make room to allow incoming traffic to merge when traffic permits.

Front Space Requirement for Large Trucks

Extra space needed in front of large trucks because they require a longer distance to stop than cars traveling at the same speed.

Safe Passing Re-entry Criterion

It is safe to return to your lane after passing another vehicle when you can see both of its headlights in your rearview mirror.

Orange Construction Signs and Cones

Freeway indicators that warn drivers of an upcoming work zone with workers, slow-moving equipment, or closed lanes, requiring reduced speed and preparation to stop.

Freeway Merging Speed

The target driving speed when entering a freeway, which should be at or near the speed of traffic on the freeway.