CHAPTER 12
TRAFFIC CODE
SECTION:
10-12-2 – 10-12-14: (Rep. by Ord. 4374, 10-26-92)
10-12-15: Traffic Safety Cameras
10-12-16 – 10-12-21: (Rep. by Ord. 4374, 10-26-92)
10-12-23: Regulating Use Of Compression Brakes
10-12-27: Avoiding Intersection
10-12-28: Motorized Foot Scooters
10-12-29: Wireless Communication Device Use
10-12-1 ADOPTED BY REFERENCE:
The “Washington Model Traffic Ordinance, (MTO),” chapter 308-330 WAC, RCW 46.16A.030, RCW 46.16A.070, RCW 46.16A.200, RCW 46.16A.455, RCW 46.16A.530, and RCW 46.19.050, as now or hereafter amended, and all other statutes adopted by reference therein are adopted by reference. (Ord. 4454, 6-20-94; Ord. 5620, 8-15-11)
A. Penalties: Any person who is convicted of a traffic infraction shall be punished by a fine only of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) except as otherwise provided herein. Any person convicted of a misdemeanor herein shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or ninety (90) days incarceration or both, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the statutes adopted by reference herein.
B. Disposition Of Traffic Fines And Forfeitures: All fines or forfeitures collected upon conviction or upon the forfeiture of bail of any person charged with a violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be paid into the General Fund of the City of Renton.
C. Official Misconduct: Failure, refusal, or neglect on the part of any judicial or other officer or employee receiving or having custody of any such fine or forfeiture of bail, either before or after a deposit in said General Fund, to comply with the provisions of subsection B shall constitute misconduct in office and shall be grounds for removal therefrom, provided appropriate removal action is taken pursuant to State law relating to removal of public officials.
D. Filing Of Ordinance: Incident to the adoption of the MTO by reference, by this Ordinance, copies of the text of the adopted MTO and of other adopted statutes shall be filed as required by RCW 35A.12.140 for use and examination by the public. (Ord. 3893, 2-25-85; Ord. 5635, 11-14-11)
10-12-2 – 10-12-14: (Rep. by Ord. 4374, 10-26-92)
10-12-15 TRAFFIC SAFETY CAMERAS:
A. The use of automated traffic safety cameras to detect a violation of RMC 10-12-1 is authorized at intersections where two arterial roadways intersect, at railroad crossings, or in school speed zones, subject to the restrictions specified in RCW 46.63.170, as now or hereafter amended.
B. All locations where an automated traffic safety camera is used must be clearly marked by placing signs in locations that clearly indicate to a driver that he or she is entering a zone where traffic laws are enforced by an automated traffic safety camera, as required by RCW 46.63.170(1)(g), as now or hereafter amended.
C. A law enforcement officer has the authority to issue a notice of traffic infraction when the notice of infraction is detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera under RCW 46.63.030 and 46.63.170, as now or hereafter amended.
D. A traffic infraction for violation of this Section, detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera, shall be processed in the same manner as a parking infraction, with a monetary penalty no greater than the amount of a fine issued for other parking infractions within the City of Renton. (Ord. 5290, 6-11-07; Ord. 5461, 6-8-09)
10-12-16 – 10-12-21: (Rep. by Ord. 4374, 10-26-92)
10-12-22 CRUISING:
A. It shall be a misdemeanor as defined in RCW 9A.20.021(3) as it currently exists or is hereafter amended for any person to drive or permit a motor vehicle under his care, custody or control to be driven past a traffic control point two (2) times in the same direction of travel within a two (2) hour period in or around a posted no cruising area so as to contribute to traffic congestion, obstruction of streets, sidewalks or parking lots, impediment of access to shopping centers or other buildings open to the public, or interference with the use of property or conduct of business in the area adjacent thereto.
B. The Police Chief or his designee shall determine when an area has become so congested by traffic as to present a danger of traffic congestion, obstruction of streets, sidewalks or parking lots, impediment of access to shopping centers or other buildings open to the public, or interference with the use of property or conduct of business in the area adjacent thereto or that emergency vehicles cannot respond in that area within a reasonable period of time. The Police Chief or his designee shall then direct that the no cruising signs shall be erected or installed and maintained until the congestion has lessened to an acceptable degree.
C. At every point where a public street or alley becomes or provides ingress to a no cruising area there shall be posted a sign which designates “no cruising” areas. The definition of a “no cruising” area is as follows: “No Cruising. It shall be a misdemeanor as defined in RCW 9A.20.021(3) as it currently exists or is hereafter amended for any person to drive or permit a motor vehicle under his care, custody or control to be driven past a traffic control point two (2) times in the same direction of travel within a two (2) hour period in or around this area so as to contribute to traffic congestion, obstruction of streets, sidewalks, or parking lots, impediment of access to shopping centers or other buildings open to the public, or interference with the use of property or the conduct of business in the adjacent area.”
D. A traffic control point as used in this Section means any point or points within the no cruising area established by the Police Department for the purpose of monitoring cruising.
E. No violation shall occur except upon the second passage by the same traffic control point in the same direction of travel within the aforementioned two (2) hour period.
F. No area shall be designated or posted as a no cruising area except upon the passage of a resolution by the Council specifically mandating said designation and posting for a particular area.
G. This Section shall not apply to in-service emergency vehicles, taxicabs for hire, buses and other vehicles being driven for business purposes. (Ord. 4057, 4-13-87; Ord. 4324, 8-12-91; Ord. 5635, 11-14-11)
10-12-23 REGULATING USE OF COMPRESSION BRAKES:
A. Definitions:
BRAKE: Any device used for slowing, halting or stopping the movement of any motor vehicle.
MOTOR VEHICLE: Includes every self-propelled device capable of being moved upon a public highway and in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway, excepting devises moved by human or animal power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks, and including automobiles, tractors, trucks, trailers and transportation equipment of all kinds and sizes or any combination or combinations of the same.
B. Use Declared Illegal: The City Council finds that the use within the City limits of motor vehicle brakes which are activated or worked by the compression of the engine of a motor vehicle disturbs and disrupts the public peace and quiet and the enjoyment of property. The use within the City limits of any motor vehicle brakes which are in any way activated or operated by the compression of the engine of any such motor vehicle or of any unit or part thereof is prohibited, unless the noise created thereby is effectively muffled.
C. Exception: Emergency vehicles may use compression brakes, as may any vehicle when faced with a sudden, unexpected or unanticipated emergency which presents a significant risk to human life or property.
D. Violation Declared A Traffic Infraction Penalty: Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Chapter or who allows or permits any motor vehicle owned and/or operated by said person to be operated in violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter is guilty of a traffic infraction pursuant to RCW 46.63.020 and may be fined a sum not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) plus any applicable penalties and costs. (Ord. 4078, 7-20-87)
10-12-24 LIABILITY INSURANCE OR OTHER FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REQUIRED; VIOLATIONS; PENALTY:
(Rep. by Ord. 4360, 7-27-92)
10-12-25 INATTENTIVE DRIVING:
It shall be a traffic infraction, subject to RCW 7.80.120(1)(a), for any person to drive a motor vehicle on any public highway, street, alley, or road in an inattentive manner in the City of Renton. “Inattentive manner” in this section means a lack of: 1) attentiveness required to safely operate the vehicle under the prevailing conditions, including, but not limited to, the nature and condition of the roadway, the weather conditions, the presence of pedestrians, the presence of other traffic, or by the driver focusing or directing the driver’s attention to something other than driving the motor vehicle; or 2) attentiveness that would permit the driver of a motor vehicle to observe anything resting on, or traveling on, or entering the roadway in time to take appropriate action as circumstances require. (Ord. 4462, 7-25-94, eff. retroactive to 7-1-94; Ord. 5635, 11-14-11)
10-12-26 TRUCK ROUTES:
A. Designated Truck Routes: Trucks over twenty six thousand (26,000) pounds gross vehicle weight are restricted to operating over one of the following designated truck routes when traveling within the City of Renton: Rainier Avenue N. and S.; S. and S.W. Grady Way; Main Avenue S. between Grady Way S. and Bronson Way S.; Airport Way; N. 6th Street between Logan Avenue N. and Park Avenue N.; Park Avenue N. and N.E. Park Drive between Bronson Way N. and Sunset Boulevard N.E.; N.E. Sunset Boulevard; Sunset Boulevard N.; Duvall Avenue N.E.; N.E. 3rd Street; N.E. 4th Street east of Jefferson Avenue N.E.; Maple Valley Highway; Benson Drive S.; S.W. Sunset Boulevard; Bronson Way N.; Houser Way S. between Main Avenue S. and Bronson Way N.; Logan Avenue N. between Airport Way and N. 6th Street; S. 2nd Street; S. 3rd Street; Houser Way Bypass – Houser Way N. from Sunset Boulevard to N. 8th Street; N. 8th Street from Houser Way N. to Logan Avenue N.; Logan Avenue N. from N. 6th Street to Park Avenue N.
Trucks which need to make deliveries off the designated routes shall take the most direct arterial route to or from one of the designated truck routes when making their deliveries. When more than one delivery off the designated truck routes can be combined so as to limit multiple intrusions into residential neighborhoods, then there is an obligation to combine such trips.
This Section shall not apply to buses operated by the Renton School District, other schools, or other public or charitable institutions on designated routes, public transit on designated routes, garbage trucks, City maintenance vehicles and emergency vehicles.
B. Penalty: Violation of this Section shall be a traffic infraction.
C. Severability: If any provision of this Section or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this section or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected. (Ord. 4328, 10-21-91; Amd. Ord. 5339, 2-4-08)
10-12-27 AVOIDING INTERSECTION:
It is unlawful for any person operating a motor vehicle on the roadways of the City, upon approaching or leaving an intersection, to proceed across any private property in such a way as to avoid the intersection or any traffic control device controlling the intersection, unless so directed by lawful authority. Any violation of this Section shall be considered an infraction. Any person found to have committed the infraction of avoiding intersection shall be fined in accordance with the most recent bail schedule which has been adopted by Renton Municipal Court. (Ord. 4462, 7-25-94, eff. retroactive to 7-1-94)
10-12-28 MOTORIZED FOOT SCOOTERS:
A. Definition: A motorized foot scooter is a device with no more than two 10-inch or smaller diameter wheels that has handlebars, is designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, and is powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion.
B. Duty To Obey Traffic-Control Signs And Rules Of The Road: Any person operating a motorized foot scooter or similar device shall obey all the rules of the road applicable to vehicle or pedestrian traffic, as well as the instructions of official traffic-control signals, signs, and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
C. Unsafe Use Prohibited: No motorized foot scooter shall be ridden in a negligent or unsafe manner but shall be operated with reasonable regard for the safety of the operator and other persons.
D. Use Prohibited In Certain Areas: Motorized foot scooters shall not be operated in any park, trail, or sidewalk, or on streets with a maximum speed limit above 25 miles per hour, or any corridor marked “No non-motorized vehicles.” Exception: this Section shall not apply to the use of wheelchair conveyances when operated by a disabled person, as defined in RCW 46.04.710, strollers used to transport small children, or City equipment.
E. Helmets And Reflectors Required:
1. Any person operating a motorized foot scooter, or riding as a passenger on or in tow of a motorized foot scooter upon any public area in the City of Renton shall wear an approved helmet designed for safety and shall have either a neck or chin strap of the helmet fastened securely while the motorized foot scooter is in motion. No person shall transport any person on or in tow of a motorized foot scooter upon a public area in the jurisdiction of the City of Renton unless the passenger is wearing a helmet that meets the requirements of this chapter. A parent or guardian is responsible for guaranteeing that a child under the age of 18 years wears an approved helmet while operating or riding as a passenger on a motorized foot scooter in any public area in the City of Renton and has the neck or chin strap of the helmet securely fastened.
2. Pursuant to RCW 46.04(9), a motorized foot scooter must be affixed with visible reflectors of a type approved by the Washington State Patrol whenever the vehicle is operated at any time between one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before dawn.
F. Mufflers Required: Any motorized foot scooter operated within the City of Renton shall have affixed a muffler or modified muffling device.
G. Minimum Age: A motorized foot scooter may not be operated by any individual who is under 13 years of age.
H. Hours Of Operation: No motorized foot scooter shall be operated within the hours of 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise.
I. Violation – Penalty: Any person violating the provisions of this Section shall be guilty of a traffic infraction and shall be punished pursuant to Chapter 1-10 RMC, exclusive of any statutory assessments, provided, conduct that constitutes a criminal traffic offense shall be charged as such and is subject to the maximum penalties allowed for such offenses. (Ord. 6034, 11-15-21)
J. Severability: If one or more sections, subsections, or sentences of this Ordinance is held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance and the same shall remain in full force and effect. (Ord. 5089, 6-28-2004)
10-12-29 WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE USE:
RCW 46.61.667, Using a wireless communications device while driving, and RCW 46.61.668, Sending, reading, or writing a text message while driving, as now or hereafter amended, are hereby adopted by reference. (Ord. 5541, 6-28-10)