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September 4, 2025 5:00 AM
While traveling on highways in Washington state, it’s not uncommon for drivers to go 10 miles or more above the speed limit. What happens if you hit the accelerator to keep up with the flow of traffic?
Can the Washington State Patrol give you a ticket when you’re driving the same speed as everyone else? Here’s what the law says:
What counts as speeding in Washington state?
In Washington state, it’s illegal to drive above the posted speed limit — even if the cars around you are speeding too. “No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions,” the Revised Code of Washington says, keeping “actual and potential hazards” in mind.
What’s the speed limit on city streets in Washington? Highways?
In general, Washington drivers are expected to follow these speed limits:
- 25 mph on city and town streets
- 50 mph on country roads
- 60 mph on state highways
State law sets the speed limit for a school zone at 20 mph.
The default speed limit can be lowered or raised over a given stretch of highway at the state transportation secretary’s discretion.
Local authorities can adjust speed limits in some circumstances, but need state approval to increase the speed limit on a highway. Weather and road conditions can also dictate how fast you’re supposed to go. For instance, Washington law says you should “drive at an appropriate reduced speed” when crossing an intersection, going around a curve, approaching the crest of a hill or “traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway.” Drivers are also advised to slow down when entering a highway on-ramp or off-ramp, The Tri-City Herald previously reported.
Can I speed up to pass a slow driver?
Under Washington state law, you’re allowed to go faster than the speed limit to pass a “vehicle driving at less than the legal maximum speed.” This is allowed on highways with one lane of traffic in each direction. However, you’re can only pass slower drivers on the highway if you’re traveling at a speed that’s “necessary to complete the pass with a reasonable margin of safety,” the Revised Code of Washington says.
Can you get pulled over while driving the speed of traffic?
If you’re in a pack of cars all driving above the speed limit, can you still get pulled over?
Ultimately, it’s up to the discretion of the Washington State Patrol officers presiding over that stretch of highway. “Speed limits are established based on safety standards specific to each area, and exceeding those limits, whether alone or in a group, is still unlawful,” Washington State Patrol media relations director Jermaine Walker told McClatchy in an email. When the flow of traffic is going above the speed limit, Walker acknowledged, state troopers don’t have the capacity to pull over every car that speeds. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t get a ticket for speeding. Walker said that officers will often pull over one car in an attempt to get everyone else to slow down. “While it’s true that we may not be able to stop every vehicle in a group traveling above the speed limit, we can and do stop individual drivers engaging in this behavior,” Walker said. “These stops often result in the rest of the group reducing their speed.” Instead of taking a chance, Walker recommends driving at a safe speed — even if that means letting other cars pass you. “Our advice: Don’t let others influence your driving decisions,” Walker said. “Make safety your priority, arrive at your destination responsibly and join us in maintaining safe roadways across the state.”
Can I get fined for speeding in Washington? Go to jail?
According to Washington’s monetary penalty schedule, speeding tickets can range from $33 to $188, depending on severity. Penalties can be more severe for repeat offenders. If you’re ticketed for a third moving violation in a 12-month period or a fourth violation in 24 months, you can have your driver’s license suspended for 60 days, according to the Washington State Department of Licensing. If you’re caught speeding in a manner that puts others in danger, you could be convicted of negligent or reckless driving. Negligent driving occurs when someone operates a car in a manner that’s likely to endanger others and with a “failure to exercise ordinary care,” and is punishable by a $250 fine. You can serve jail time if you seriously injure or kill a pedestrian or bicylist.
If you’re found guilty of misdemeanor reckless driving, which involves “willful or wanton disregard” for the safety of others and their property, you can face up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. Reckless driving that kills someone is considered felony vehicular homicide. A new law that goes into effect in 2029 defines excessive speeding as going 10 mph above the speed limit in an area where drivers are required to go 40 mph or lower — or driving 20 miles mph over the speed limit in a zone with a limit above 40 mph.
Read more at: https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/traffic/article311908266.html#storylink=cpy
