Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 46.61.195 (2026)

Arterial highways designated—Stopping on entering

✓ current as of May 2026

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All state highways are hereby declared to be arterial highways as respects all other public highways or private ways, except that the state department of transportation has the authority to designate any county road or city street as an arterial having preference over the traffic on the state highway if traffic conditions will be improved by such action.

Those city streets designated by the state department of transportation as forming a part of the routes of state highways through incorporated cities and towns are declared to be arterial highways as respects all other city streets or private ways.

The governing authorities of incorporated cities and towns may designate any street as an arterial having preference over the traffic on a state highway if the change is first approved in writing by the state department of transportation. The local authorities making such a change in arterial designation shall do so by proper ordinance or resolution and shall erect or cause to be erected and maintained standard stop signs, or "Yield" signs, to accomplish this change in arterial designation.

The operator of any vehicle entering upon any arterial highway from any other public highway or private way shall come to a complete stop before entering the arterial highway when stop signs are erected as provided by law.

[ 1984 c 7 s 66; 1963 ex.s. c 3 s 48; 1961 c 12 s 46.60.330. Prior: 1955 c 146 s 5; 1947 c 200 s 14; 1937 c 189 s 105; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 6360-105. Formerly RCW 46.60.330.]

Notes:

City streets subject to increased speed, designation as arterials: RCW 46.61.435.

Stop signs, "Yield" signs—Duties of persons using highway: RCW 47.36.110.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 3 cases, 1967–1977 · leading case: Wilson v. Stone, 431 P.2d 209 (Wash. 1967).

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Wilson v. Stone, 431 P.2d 209 (Wash. 1967). “330 (now RCW 46.61.195) authorized the Washington State Highway Commission to designate which roads will be arterial highways for the purpose of facilitating the movement of vehicular traffic through populated areas.”

Krause v. McIntosh, 562 P.2d 662 (Wash. Ct. App. 1977). “Since the administrator failed to present any substantial evidence that the accident would not have occurred if the decedent had not pulled out onto the arterial as he did, the trial court correctly determined that the estate was liable as a matter of law.”

Merrick v. Stansbury, 533 P.2d 136 (Wash. Ct. App. 1975). “and under RCW 46.61.195: The operator of any vehicle entering upon any arterial highway from any other public highway or private way shall come to a complete stop before entering such arterial highway when stop signs are erected as provided by law.”

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