HB 1481 - DIGEST

Declares that a person is guilty of failure to yield the right of way in the first degree if he or she negligently obstructs or impedes the passage of any authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.190, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal.

Provides that failure to yield the right of way in the first degree is a gross misdemeanor.

Provides that the driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is making use of audible and/or visual signals meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.190 or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating emergency light or lights, shall: (1) On a highway having at least four lanes, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle, proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right of way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that occupied by the stationary authorized emergency vehicle or police vehicle; or

(2) If changing lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for highway conditions.