TACOMA — Like many states, Washington has steadfast rules regarding speed limits on certain roadways. For example, the speed limit is 25 mph for any residential, city or town streets, and 60 mph on state highways.
If you’re driving over the posted speed limit at any capacity, you’re increasing your chances of being pulled over by a police officer.
But what if you are only speeding a little to pass a car or keep up with the rest of traffic? Here’s what the law in Washington says about that.
What if you go 10 mph over the limit in WA?
Whenever you’re pulled over by law enforcement, it’s often up to the police officer’s discretion what you can get ticketed for. Even if you were driving only slightly above the speed limit, an officer can still ticket you for speeding if they deem it necessary.
Trooper John Dattilo, a public information officer with the Washington State Patrol, said in an interview that the speed limit is the speed limit and if drivers are exceeding that speed limit, officers can pull you over if they choose to.
“Our primary focus is what’s reasonable, what is prudent,” Dattilo said. “If you’re keeping up with traffic, you’re not going to stick out and likely you won’t be pulled over.”
Dattilo added that as long as drivers are following the speed and flow of traffic, which is usually tends to hover around the speed limit, they’re probably fine.
Under Washington state law, despite some officers showing leniency if you’re marginally above the limit, it is technically illegal to drive at any speed greater than the posted speed limit. That means that, as long as the officer has recorded you driving over the limit, it’s within their right to ticket you.
The more over the limit you were driving, the more likely you’ll receive a ticket. The way you are driving can also have an impact.
“If you are doing things like dangerous lane changes, exceeding the flow of traffic by a large margin, that is the kind of stuff that we’re typically looking for,” Dattilo said. “Again, if you are exceeding the speed limit in general, whether or not you’re with the flow of traffic, you can still be stopped, you can still receive a ticket, it’s up to that law enforcement officer in that particular area.”
But there is one exception. The Washington law states that drivers can exceed the posted speed limit while passing another vehicle going under the speed limit. This exception only applies on highways with one lane in each direction, at only such a speed and for only a certain distance that is necessary to complete the pass safely.
Washington speed limits
If you need a refresher on Washington’s maximum speed limits, here’s a cheat sheet based on Washington state law:
- City and town streets — 25 mph
- State highways — 60 mph or 75 mph if a traffic study concludes it’s in the public interest to increase the limit
- County roads — 55 mph
- School zone — 20 mph
It’s also important to note that local counties and cities may have speed limits different from the state’s guidelines, so always be on the lookout for speed limit signs.
Washington speeding penalties
If you’re caught speeding in Washington, most of the time, the officer will issue you with either a warning or a speeding ticket. If you end up with a speeding ticket, here’s what you’ll likely be paying, according to the Washington State Courts’ Bail Schedule:
- 1-5mph over in 40 mph zone — $114
- 1-5 mph over in speed limit zone under 40 mph — $135
- 6-10 mph over in 40 mph zone — $135
- 6-10 mph over in speed limit zone under 40 mph — $145
- 11-15 mph over in 40 mph zone — $165
- 11-15 mph over in speed limit zone under 40 mph — $176
- 16-20 mph over in 40 mph zone — $196
- 16-20 mph over in speed limit zone under 40 mph — $217
- 21-25 mph over in 40 mph zone — $227
- 21-25 mph over in speed limit zone under 40 mph — $268
- 26-30 mph over in 40 mph zone — $268
- 26-30 mph over in speed limit zone under 40 mph — $319
- 31-35 mph over in 40 mph zone — $319
- 31-35 mph over in speed limit zone under 40 mph — $370
- 36-40 mph over in 40 mph zone — $370
- 36-40 mph over in speed limit zone under 40 mph — $432
- 41 mph or more in any speed zone — $432
- Speeding in a construction zone — minimum of $158
- Speeding in a school zone — minimum of $223
According to the Washington Department of Licensing, drivers who receive six traffic violations during a 12-month period or those who receive seven traffic violations during a 24-month period will have their license suspended for 60 days. After the suspension period is up, drivers will be put on probation for one year.
