BILL REQ. #:  S-1190.2 

Read first time 02/12/2007.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to the operation of motorcycles between lanes of traffic or vehicles; and amending RCW 46.61.608.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 46.61.608 and 1975 c 62 s 46 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane.
     (2) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken, except as permitted in subsection (3) of this section.
     (3) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, unless (a) the average speed of traffic at any time is substantially slower than the posted speed limit for the roadway, (b) there are two or more lanes of traffic for vehicles proceeding in the same direction at that time, and (c) a reasonable and prudent operator of a motorcycle would consider it safe to operate a motorcycle no more than ten miles per hour over the average speed of traffic at that time between the lanes of traffic.
     As used in this subsection, "substantially slower" means a speed that is half or less than half of the posted speed limit.
     (4) Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.
     (5) The restrictions imposed by subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall not apply to police officers in the performance of their official duties.