Washington Driving Rules Summary

Overview

This lecture reviews 150 practice questions covering key Washington state driving rules, traffic signs, safety practices, and legal requirements for the driver's exam.

Safe Driving Practices

• Avoid intentional blindness; distractions include mobile devices, eating, and grooming.
• Always allow a greater following distance behind motorcycles and vehicles making frequent stops.
• Use the "four-second rule" for safe following distance.
• If tired, stop driving immediately.
• Check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.
• Never tailgate; it is dangerous and considered road rage.
• Reduce speed on wet, slippery, or foggy roads to prevent hydroplaning.

Traffic Laws and Signals

• Treat a flashing red light as a stop sign.
• At yellow lights while turning left, complete your turn if already in the intersection.
• Solid yellow lines: no passing; dashed lines: passing allowed if safe.
• White lines separate lanes in the same direction.
• Always yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.
• Must wear seat belts; all occupants required.
• Use headlights on low beam within 500 ft of oncoming vehicles and in fog.
• Use proper hand signals if turn signals fail.

Road Signs and Markings

• Divided highway, crossroad, downgrade, and railroad crossing signs each have unique indicators.
• A triangular orange sign indicates a slow-moving vehicle.
• "No right turn" and "do not enter" signs must be obeyed.
• Center turn lanes marked by solid and dashed yellow lines are for left turns only.

Vehicle Operation and Maneuvers

• Park within 12 inches of the curb when parallel parking.
• When parking uphill with curb, turn wheels away from curb; downhill, toward curb.
• Do not back up on freeways except for emergency vehicles.
• Only merge into bike lanes before making a right turn.
• Use the Dutch reach method to protect cyclists when exiting a vehicle.

Alcohol, Drugs, and Legal Consequences

• Legal BAC limit is 0.08%; under 21, any BAC is an offense.
• Refusing a BAC test leads to license suspension.
• Driving under the influence can result in fines, imprisonment, and license revocation.
• Open containers of alcohol are illegal in passenger areas.

Emergency Situations and Special Vehicles

• Allow merging vehicles room to enter.
• Do not follow fire trucks within 500 ft when responding.
• Yield to emergency vehicles and clear the intersection/roundabout.
• In case of breakdown, use hazard flashers and move off the road.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Hydroplaning — tires lose traction on wet roads and ride on water.
• Dutch Reach — using far hand to open driver's door, encouraging you to look for cyclists.
• BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) — measurement of alcohol in blood; 0.08% is legal limit for DUI.
• Blind spot — areas around a vehicle not visible in mirrors.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review the Washington Driver Guide for more detail on each topic.
• Memorize key signs and their meanings.
• Practice applying these rules in mock scenarios.