A. 
The state statute and/or portions or parts of state statutes listed by reference to the Revised Code of Washington, as amended by the Regular and Extraordinary Sessions of the 1969 Legislature of the state of Washington, title, chapter and section numbers in Appendix A, which by this reference are included herein as though set forth in full herein, are adopted.
B. 
State statutes, listed by Revised Code of Washington title, chapter and section numbers in Appendix B, which are by this reference included herein as though set forth in full herein, are adopted as specially modified herein.
C. 
RCW 46.20.308, 46.20.311, 46.20.092, and Chapter 70.84, are included herein by reference, as though set forth in full herein, are adopted.
(Ord. 80-108 (part))
This chapter shall be known as the "Whatcom County Traffic Code" and it shall be sufficient to refer to this chapter or any part or portion thereof as the "Whatcom County Traffic Code" in any prosecution for the violation of any provision thereof.
(Ord. 80-108 (part))
Reference to all or any state statutes and/or portions or parts of state statutes listed and adopted by this chapter shall be by Revised Code of Washington title, chapter and section number, but deleting the prefix "RCW" and substituting for said prefix the prefix "WCTC," which prefix for the purposes of this chapter shall be the abbreviation for "Whatcom County Traffic Code."
(Ord. 80-108 (part))
Any resolution previously adopted by the board of county commissioners, or Whatcom County council, which is in whole or in part inconsistent with any provision of the Whatcom County Traffic Code is to that extent repealed; provided, any prosecution begun under such inconsistent provision prior to December 31, 1980, shall be preserved.
(Ord. 80-108 (part); Ord. 93-048 (part))
Any person violating any of the provisions or failing to comply with any of the mandatory requirements of this traffic code for which no penalty has been otherwise prescribed shall be guilty of an infraction.
(Ord. 80-108 (part))
Any amendment adopted by the Washington State Legislature to any section of the Revised Code of Washington adopted by reference herein is adopted as a part of this traffic code.
(Ord. 80-108 (part))
The list of RCW sections to be included in the traffic code shall be as follows:
Stock at large in areas – Unlawful.
Stock at large on highway right-of-way – Unlawful – Impounding.
Scope and construction of terms.
Alley.
Arterial highway.
Authorized emergency vehicle.
Auto stage.
Axle.
Bicycle.
Business district.
Cancel.
Center line.
Center of intersection.
City street.
Combination of vehicles.
Commercial vehicle.
County road.
Crosswalk.
Driveaway-towaway operation.
Explosives.
Farm tractor.
For hire vehicle.
Hours of darkness.
Flammable liquid.
Intersection area.
Intersection center marker.
Intersection control area.
Intersection entrance marker.
Laned highway.
Legal owner.
Local authorities.
Marked crosswalk.
Metal tire.
Motor truck.
Motor vehicle.
Motorcycle.
Motor-driven cycle.
Muffler.
Multiple lane highway.
Nonresident.
Operator or driver.
Owner.
Passenger car.
Police officer.
Pedestrian.
Person.
Pneumatic tires.
Pole trailer.
Private road or driveway.
Highway.
Public scale.
Railroad.
Railroad sign or signal.
Registered owner.
Residence district.
Revoke.
Road tractor.
Roadway.
Safety zone.
School bus.
Semitrailer.
Sidewalk.
Solid tire.
Special mobile equipment.
State highway.
Street car.
Suspend.
Temporarily sojourning.
Traffic.
Traffic-control signal.
Traffic-control devices.
Trailer.
Train.
Trolley vehicle.
Truck tractor.
Used vehicle.
Vehicle.
Director – Department.
Uniformity of application.
Classification as emergency vehicles – Approval of operators.
Liability of host for injury to guest in motor vehicle.
Jurisdiction of justices of peace, police court and superior court.
Certificates required to operate and sell vehicles – Manufacturers or dealers, security interest, how perfected.
Destruction of vehicle – Surrender of certificates, penalty – Notice of settlement by insurance company.
Procedure on installation of different motor – Penalty.
Procedure when motor or motor block removed – Unlawful acts.
Sale or transfer of vehicle – Assignment of certificate of ownership – Penalty.
Licenses and plates required – Exceptions.
Quarterly license – Penalty.
Overloading licensed capacity – Additional license – Penalty.
Attachment of plates to vehicles – Violations enumerated.
License registration certificate – Endorsement – Attachment to vehicle.
License certificate and plates follow vehicle on transfer – Exception.
Definitions.
Driver's license required – Surrender of license held from another jurisdiction – Other license not required.
Persons exempt from licensing requirement.
Physically or mentally disabled persons – Procedure – Restrictions – Violations – Penalty.
Age limit for school bus drivers and drivers of for-hire vehicles.
License to be in immediate possession and displayed on demand.
Unlawful renting of vehicle to unlicensed person – Rental record.
Violations – Penalty.
Driving while license suspended or revoked – Penalty – Extension of suspension or revocation period.
Unlawful to allow unauthorized minor child or ward to drive.
Unlawful to allow unauthorized person to drive.
Operation of motor vehicle prohibited while license is suspended or revoked.
Operation of vehicles requiring special skills – Additional examination and special license endorsement required – Exemption.
Special endorsement for motorcycle operator's license.
Moving defective vehicle unlawful – Impounding authorized.
Inspection of damaged vehicle.
Scope and effect of regulations – General penalty.
When lighted lamps and signaling devices are required.
Visibility distance and mounted height of lamps.
Head lamps on motor vehicles.
Tail lamps.
Reflectors.
Stop lamps and turn signals required.
Application of succeeding sections.
Additional equipment required on certain vehicles.
Color of clearance lamps, side marker lamps, backup lamps and reflectors.
Mounting of reflectors, clearance lamps and side marker lamps.
Visibility of reflectors, clearance lamps, identification lamps and side marker lamps.
Obstructed lights not required.
Lamps, reflectors, and flags on projecting load.
Lamps on vehicles – Parked or stopped vehicles, lighting requirements.
Lamps and reflectors on farm tractors, farm equipment and implements of husbandry.
Lamps and reflectors on other vehicles and equipment.
Spot lamps and auxiliary lamps.
Red flashing lights on fire department vehicles.
Blue light on fireman's private cars.
Fire department sign or plate on private car.
Blue light, sign or plate – Identification card required – Funeral coach may display blue light.
Penalty for violation of RCW 46.37.184 through 46.37.188
Red lights on emergency vehicles, school buses, police vehicles – Sirens on emergency vehicles – Driver's duty to yield and stop.
Stop lamps and electric turn signals.
Additional lighting equipment.
Multiple-beam road-lighting equipment.
Use of multiple-beam road-lighting equipment.
Single-beam road-lighting equipment.
Lighting equipment on motor-driven cycles.
Alternate road lighting equipment.
Number of driving lamps required or permitted.
Special restrictions on lamps.
Special lighting equipment on school buses.
Standards for lights on snow-removal or highway maintenance and service equipment.
Selling or using lamps or equipment.
Braking equipment required.
Performance ability of brakes.
Maintenance of brakes.
Hydraulic brake fluid – Defined – Standards and specifications.
Brakes on motor-driven cycles.
Horns and warning devices.
Mufflers, prevention of noise and smoke.
Mirrors.
Windshields must be unobstructed and equipped with wipers.
Restrictions as to tire equipment.
Safety glazing materials in motor vehicles.
Certain vehicles to carry flares or other warning devices.
Display of warning devices when vehicle disabled.
Vehicles transporting explosives.
Air-conditioning equipment.
Television viewers.
Safety load chain and devices required.
Splash guards.
Seat belts.
Beach used vehicles with soft tires – "Dune buggies" – Inspection and approval required – Fee.
Motorcycles – Mirrors, goggles, face shields, and helmets – Regulations and specifications by commission on equipment.
Helmet requirements when motorcycle rented.
Outside width limit.
Maximum height – Impaired clearance signs.
Maximum lengths.
Front and rear protrusions.
Combination of units – Limitation.
Lawful operation – Special permits.
Width, height, length and combination restrictions – Special permits to exceed authorized.
Maximum gross weights – Axle factor.
Tire factor.
Wheelbase factor.
Penalties for violations.
Excess weight – Discretion of arresting officer.
Logging trucks – Special permits – County permits – Fees – Discretion of arresting officer.
Minimum length of wheelbase.
Outside load limits for passenger vehicles.
Drawbar requirement – Trailer whipping or weaving – Towing flag.
Special permits for oversize or overweight movements – Overall width limits – Application for permit.
Fees.
Misrepresentations and violations – Penalty – Display of permit – Hearing.
Enforcement – Weighing and lightening.
Liability for damage to highways, bridges, et cetera.
State patrol jurisdiction over safety in transport of dangerous articles – Rules and regulations.
Violation of rules, misdemeanor.
Duty on striking unattended car or other property.
Duty in case of injury to or death of person or damage to attended vehicle.
Accident reports.
Report when operator disabled.
Police officer's report.
Confidentiality of reports – Information required to be disclosed – Evidence.
Availability of factual data to interested parties.
Fee for written information.
Reports by repairmen, storage men and appraisers – Violations, penalties.
Record of traffic charges – Reports of convictions by courts – Venue in justice courts – Driving under influence of liquor or drugs, penalty.
Stolen and abandoned vehicles – Reports of – Notice – Sale – Violations – Penalties.
Provisions of chapter refer to vehicles upon the highways – Exceptions.
Required obedience to traffic laws.
Obedience to police officers and flagmen.
Refusal to give information to or cooperate with officer.
Persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles.
Persons working on highways – Exceptions.
Authorized emergency vehicles.
Obedience to and required traffic-control devices.
Traffic-control signal legend.
Pedestrian-control signals.
Flashing signals.
Lane-direction-control signals.
Display of unauthorized signs, signals or markings.
Interference with official traffic-control devices or railroad signs or signals.
Traffic control signals or devices upon city streets forming part of state highways – Approval by commissioner required.
Drive on right side of roadway – Exceptions.
Passing vehicles proceeding in opposite directions.
Overtaking a vehicle on the left.
When overtaking on the right is permitted.
Limitations on overtaking on the left.
Further limitations on driving to left of center of roadway.
No-passing zones.
One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands.
Driving on roadways laned for traffic.
Following too closely.
Driving on divided highways.
Restricted access.
Restrictions on use of controlled-access roadway.
Vehicle approaching intersection.
Vehicle turning left.
Vehicle entering stop or yield intersection.
Arterial highways designated – Stopping on entering.
Stop intersections other than arterial may be designated.
Vehicle entering highway from private road or driveway.
Operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency vehicles.
Pedestrians subject to traffic regulations.
Pedestrians' right-of-way in crosswalks.
Crossing at other than crosswalks.
Drivers to exercise care.
Pedestrians on roadways.
Pedestrians soliciting rides or business.
Driving through safety zone prohibited.
Required position and method of turning at intersections.
"U" turns on curve or crest of grade prohibited.
Starting parked vehicle.
Turning movements and required signals.
Signals by hand and arm or signal lamps.
Method of giving hand and arm signals.
Obedience to signal indicating approach of train.
All vehicles must stop at certain railroad grade crossings.
Certain vehicles must stop at all railroad grade crossings.
Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossings.
Stop signs and yield signs.
Emerging from alley, driveway or building.
Overtaking and passing school bus.
School patrol – Appointment – Authority – Finance – Insurance.
Basic rule and maximum limits.
When local authorities may alter maximum limits.
Minimum speed regulation.
Maximum speed limit when passing school or playground crosswalks.
Due care required.
Maximum speed, weight and size in traversing bridges, elevated structures, tunnels, underpasses – Posting limits.
Vehicles with solid or hollow cushion tires.
Special speed limitation on motor-driven cycle.
Exceeding speed limit evidence of reckless driving.
Charging violations of speed regulations.
Driving while under influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
Actual physical control of motor vehicle under influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
Persons under influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs – Evidence – Chemical tests.
Liability of medical personnel withdrawing blood.
Persons under the influence of drugs.
Driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs – Penalties – Suspension or revocation of license – Appeal.
Operating motor vehicle in a negligent manner.
Racing of vehicles on highways, reckless driving.
Advertising of unlawful speed attained, reckless driving.
Stopping, standing or parking outside of business or residence districts.
Officers authorized to remove illegally stopped vehicle.
Stopping, standing or parking prohibited in specified places.
Additional parking regulations.
Special parking privileges for certain disabled persons – Display of decal – Prohibited areas.
Unattended motor vehicle.
Limitations on backing.
Riding on motorcycles.
Maximum height for handlebars.
Both feet not to be on same side.
Temporary suspension of restrictions for parades or public demonstrations.
Obstructions to driver's view or driving mechanism.
Opening and closing vehicle doors.
Riding in trailers.
Coasting prohibited.
Following fire apparatus prohibited.
Crossing fire hose.
Throwing or depositing glass, et cetera, on highway prohibited – Removal.
Throwing or dropping glass or debris, et cetera, upon or along highways, parks, beaches or waters – Penalty – Suspension of penalty conditioned upon removal of debris.
Permitting escape of load materials.
Carrying persons or animals on outside part of vehicle.
Embracing another while driving.
Driving with wheels off roadway.
Causing or permitting vehicle to be unlawfully operated.
Lowering passenger motor vehicle below legal clearance – Penalty.
Leaving children unattended in standing vehicle with motor running – Penalty.
Parent or guardian shall not authorize or permit violation by a child or ward.
Effect of regulations – Penalty.
Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles.
Riding on bicycles.
Clinging to vehicles.
Riding on roadways and bicycle paths.
Carrying articles.
Lamps and other equipment on bicycles.
Severability.
Traffic citations – Record of – Cancellation prohibited – Penalty – Citation audit.
Citation and notice to appear in court – Issuance – Contents – Written promise – Arrest.
Nonappearance after written promise, misdemeanor.
Nonappearance after written promise – Notice to department.
Procedure governing arrest and prosecution.
Attempting, aiding, abetting, coercing, committing violations, punishable.
General penalty.
Stopping motor vehicles for driver's license check, vehicle inspection and test – Purpose.
Stopping motor vehicles for driver's license check, vehicle inspection and test – Authorized – Powers additional.
Refunds of erroneous license fees – Proof – Time limitation on filing claims.
License required – Exceptions – "Driveway," "towaway," method defined.
Issuance on license – Plates.
Continuation of existing law.
Provision to be construed in parti materia.
Invalidity of part of title not to affect remainder.
Repeals and saving.
Meddling with signs prohibited.
Forbidden devices – Penalty.
Signs or flagmen at thoroughfare work sites.
Drivers of vehicles engaged in work must obey signs or flagmen.
"Limited access facility" defined.
"Existing highway" defined.
Design of facility – Ingress and egress restricted – Closure of intersecting roads.
Marking of facility with signs.
Violations specified – Penalty.
(Ord. 80-108 (part))
A. 
RCW 46.04.431 Highway. Highway means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way, public or private, when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.
B. 
RCW 46.08.030 Uniformity of application. The provisions of this title relating to the operation of vehicles shall be applicable and uniform upon all persons operating vehicles upon the public highways of this county, except as otherwise provided.
C. 
RCW 46.61.500 Reckless driving.
1. 
It is unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle in a reckless manner as defined by this resolution.
2. 
Any person who drives any vehicle in a wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.
3. 
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 30 days.
D. 
RCW 46.64.060 Stopping motor vehicles for driver's license check, vehicle inspection and test – Purpose. The purpose of RCW 46.64.060 and 46.64.070 is to provide for the exercise of the police power of this state and county to protect the health and safety of its citizens by assuring that only qualified drivers and vehicles which meet minimum equipment standards shall operate upon the highways of this state and county.
E. 
RCW 46.64.070 Stopping motor vehicles for driver's license check, vehicle inspection and test – Authorized powers additional. To carry out the purpose of RCW 46.64.060 and 46.64.070, officers of the Whatcom County sheriff's office are empowered during daylight hours and while using plainly marked Whatcom County sheriff vehicles with red light to require the driver of any motor vehicle being operated on any highway of this county to stop and display his or her driver's license and/or to submit the motor vehicle being driven by such person to an inspection and test to ascertain whether such vehicle complies with the minimum equipment requirements described by RCW Chapter 46.37, as now or hereafter amended. No criminal citation shall be issued for a period of 10 days after giving a warning ticket pointing out the defect. The powers conferred by RCW 46.64.060 and 46.64.070 are in addition to all other powers conferred by law upon such officers, including but not limited to powers conferred upon them as police officers pursuant to RCW 46.20.430 and powers conferred by RCW Chapter 46.32.
(Ord. 80-108 (part))
A. 
A person found to have committed a traffic infraction under the terms of this chapter or ordinance shall be assessed a monetary penalty. No penalty may exceed $250.00 for each offense unless authorized by this chapter or title.
B. 
There shall be a penalty of $250.00 for failure to respond to a notice of traffic infraction, or failure to pay a monetary penalty imposed pursuant to this chapter.
C. 
Whenever a monetary penalty is imposed by a court under this chapter, it is immediately payable. If the person is unable to pay it at that time, the court may, in its discretion, grant an extension of the period in which the penalty may be paid. If the penalty is not paid on or before the time established for payment, the court shall notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of the failure to pay the penalty, and the Department may not renew the person's driver's license until the penalty has been paid.
(Ord. 80-108 (part))