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Traffic tickets

driving too fast for conditions

Even if you are driving under the posted speed limit, you may be given a ticket or citation for driving too fast for the conditions. Driving too fast for conditions is defined as traveling at a speed that is greater than a reasonable standard for safe driving.

Examples of conditions where drivers may find themselves driving too fast include wet roadways (rain, snow, or ice); reduced visibility (fog); uneven roads; construction zones; curves; intersections; gravel roads; and heavy traffic.

In Washington State, drivers must adhere to the Basic Speed Law, which mandates that they must not drive at a speed that is unreasonable or unsafe given the current driving conditions, regardless of the posted speed limit. This means that even if you are driving at or below the legal speed limit, you can still receive a ticket for driving too fast for conditions if the weather, road conditions, or traffic flow make that speed unsafe. Conditions that might require drivers to adjust their speed include inclement weather (like rain, snow, or ice), reduced visibility (such as fog), road construction, uneven road surfaces, curves, intersections, gravel roads, and heavy traffic. Law enforcement officers have the discretion to determine if a driver is traveling at an unsafe speed for the conditions present at the time.

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Traffic tickets

driving too fast for conditions

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Washington State Code

Washington State Code

Traffic tickets

driving too fast for conditions

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