Wash. Rev. Code » Title 46 · Chapter 46.37

Wash. Rev. Code § 46.37.380

Horns, warning devices, and theft alarms

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(1) Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet, but no horn or other warning device may emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a motor vehicle shall when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation give audible warning with his or her horn but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway.
(2) No vehicle may be equipped with nor may any person use upon a vehicle any siren, whistle, or bell, except as otherwise permitted in this section.
(3) It is permissible for any vehicle to be equipped with a theft alarm signal device so long as it is so arranged that it cannot be used by the driver as an ordinary warning signal. Such a theft alarm signal device may use a whistle, bell, horn, or other audible signal but shall not use a siren.
(4) Any authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet and of a type conforming to rules adopted by the state patrol, but the siren shall not be used except when the vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, in which latter events the driver of the vehicle shall sound the siren when reasonably necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of its approach.
(5) Any organ transport vehicle may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet and of a type conforming to rules adopted by the state patrol, but the siren shall not be used except when the vehicle is transporting a time urgent organ as defined in RCW 68.64.010, in which case the driver of the vehicle shall sound the siren when reasonably necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of its approach.
[ 2023 c 290 s 4; 2010 c 8 s 9052; 1987 c 330 s 720; 1986 c 113 s 3; 1977 ex.s. c 355 s 32; 1961 c 12 s 46.37.380. Prior: 1955 c 269 s 38; prior: 1937 c 189 s 35; RRS s 6360-35; RCW 46.36.040.]

Notes:

Construction—Application of rules—Severability—1987 c 330: See notes following RCW 28B.12.050.
Severability—1977 ex.s. c 355: See note following RCW 46.37.010.
Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles—Additional requirements and limitations: RCW 46.37.539.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1967–2023 · leading case: State v. Immelt
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State v. Immelt (2011) wash “Significantly, RCW 46.37.380(1) mandates that every motor vehicle operating on the highway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order, capable of being heard from at least 200 feet away, and states that “[t]he driver of a motor vehicle shall when reasonable necessary to…”
Susan Porter v. Kelly Martinez (2023) ca9 “” Wash. Rev. Code § 46.37.380 (1). West Virginia: “The driver of a motor vehicle shall when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation give audible warning with his horn but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway.”
Boyle v. Emerson (1977) washctapp · cites it 3× “" RCW 46.37.380 sets out requirements for audible warning devices.”
State v. Ritts (1999) washctapp “190(4); RCW 46.37.380(2); WAC 204-88-030(1); WAC 204-88-060(1).”
Enslow v. Helmcke (1980) washctapp “RCW 46.37.380. Although Enslow had no duty to anticipate Helmcke's change of mind, by attempting to pass Helmcke on the right within the same lane at an intersection, she may have created a situation that reasonably required the use of a horn.”
Mehrer v. Easterling (1967) wash “These words are found in RCW 46.37.380, also adopted by the city of Sunnyside.”
Rae v. Konopaski (1970) washctapp · cites it 2× “RCW 46.37.380 provides in part that "[t]he driver of a motor vehicle shall when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation give audible warning with his horn but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway.”
Allen v. Mattoon (1972) washctapp “7 to the effect that every car should be equipped with a good working horn capable of emitting sound under normal conditions for *231 200 feet and should be used by the driver when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation.”
Susan Porter v. Kelly Martinez (2023) ca9 “” Wash. Rev. Code § 46.37.380 (1). West Virginia: “The driver of a motor vehicle shall when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation give audible warning with his horn but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.37.380(1) — 1 case
State v. Immelt (2011) wash “Significantly, RCW 46.37.380(1) mandates that every motor vehicle operating on the highway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order, capable of being heard from at least 200 feet away, and states that “[t]he driver of a motor vehicle shall when reasonable necessary to…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.37.380(2) — 1 case
State v. Ritts (1999) washctapp “190(4); RCW 46.37.380(2); WAC 204-88-030(1); WAC 204-88-060(1).”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.37.380(4) — 1 case
Boyle v. Emerson (1977) washctapp “" RCW 46.37.380 sets out requirements for audible warning devices.”
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