Wash. Rev. Code » Title 46 · Chapter 46.61
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 46.61.530 (2026)

Racing of vehicles on highways—Reckless driving—Exception

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to race any motor vehicle or motor vehicles upon any public highway of this state as defined in RCW 46.04.197, or upon any off-street facility as defined in RCW 46.04.367. Any person or persons who willfully compare or contest relative speeds by operation of one or more motor vehicles or who willfully demonstrates, exhibits, or compares speed, maneuverability, or the power of one or more motor vehicles, including "drifting," shall be guilty of racing, which shall constitute reckless driving under RCW 46.61.500 subjecting the violator to the penalties provided for under RCW 46.61.500 unless otherwise provided for in this section, whether or not such speed is in excess of the maximum speed prescribed by law: PROVIDED HOWEVER, That any comparison or contest of the accuracy with which motor vehicles may be operated in terms of relative speeds not in excess of the posted maximum speed does not constitute racing. Nothing in this section prohibits a person from being charged under other provisions of the law for other acts, results, incidents, damages, injuries, or deaths that occur as a result of, or in addition to, their participation in racing.
(2) Any person who knowingly aids and abets racing under subsection (1) of this section may be charged and prosecuted as an accomplice in accordance with RCW 46.64.048.
(3) The offenses described in this section may be deemed to have been committed either at the time and location from which the person charged initiated his or her efforts, or at the time and location where the completed traffic infraction or crime occurred regardless of whether the person charged under this section was ever actually present at the time and location of the completed traffic infraction or crime.
[ 2023 c 283 s 4; 1979 ex.s. c 136 s 87; 1961 c 12 s 46.48.050. Prior: 1937 c 189 s 67; RRS s 6360-67; 1921 c 96 s 32; 1915 c 142 s 25; RRS s 6344. Formerly RCW 46.48.050.]

Notes:

Rules of court: Bail in criminal traffic offense cases—Mandatory appearance—CrRLJ 3.2.
Effective date—2023 c 283: See note following RCW 46.04.367.
Effective date—Severability—1979 ex.s. c 136: See notes following RCW 46.63.010.
Arrest of person involved in racing of vehicles: RCW 10.31.100.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1981–2025 · leading case: State v. Escobar, 633 P.2d 100 (Wash. Ct. App. 1981).
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State v. Escobar, 633 P.2d 100 (Wash. Ct. App. 1981). · cites it 2× “RCW 46.61.530. Therefore, the only issue is causation; the only inference made was that Mr.”
State v. Taylor, 638 P.2d 630 (Wash. Ct. App. 1982). “500), and racing vehicles on highways (RCW 46.61.530), are excepted and retained as crimes would be an absurd interpretation of these statutes.”
Leach (W.D. Wash. 2025). “12 Code § 46.61.530. Enforcing compliance with state law is an exclusive governmental function.”
Tavon Williams v. City of Tacoma et al (W.D. Wash. 2025). “12 Code § 46.61.530. Enforcing compliance with state law is an exclusive governmental function.”
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.