(1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, a person may operate a medium-speed electric vehicle upon a highway of this state having a speed limit of thirty-five miles per hour or less, or forty-five miles per hour or less as provided in subsection (4) of this section, if:

(a) The person does not operate a medium-speed electric vehicle upon state highways that are listed in chapter 47.17 RCW along segments where the posted speed limit exceeds thirty miles per hour;

(b) The person does not operate a medium-speed electric vehicle upon a highway of this state without first having obtained and having in full force and effect a current and proper vehicle registration and display vehicle license plates in compliance with chapter 46.16A RCW. The department must track medium-speed electric vehicles in a separate registration category for reporting purposes;

(c) The person does not operate a medium-speed electric vehicle upon a highway of this state without first obtaining a valid driver's license issued to Washington residents in compliance with chapter 46.20 RCW;

(d) The person does not operate a medium-speed electric vehicle subject to registration under chapter 46.16A RCW on a highway of this state unless the person is insured under a motor vehicle liability policy in compliance with chapter 46.30 RCW; and

(e) The person operating a medium-speed electric vehicle does not cross a roadway with a speed limit in excess of thirty-five miles per hour, or forty-five miles per hour as provided in subsection (4) of this section, unless the crossing begins and ends on a roadway with a speed limit of thirty-five miles per hour or less, or forty-five miles per hour or less as provided in subsection (4) of this section, and occurs at an intersection of approximately ninety degrees, except that the operator of a medium-speed electric vehicle must not cross an uncontrolled intersection of streets and highways that are part of the state highway system subject to Title 47 RCW unless that intersection has been authorized by local authorities under subsection (3) of this section.

(2) Any person who violates this section commits a traffic infraction.

(3) This section does not prevent local authorities, with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction and within the reasonable exercise of their police power, from regulating the operation of medium-speed electric vehicles on streets and highways under their jurisdiction by resolution or ordinance of the governing body, if the regulation is consistent with this title, except that:

(a) Local authorities may not authorize the operation of medium-speed electric vehicles on streets and highways that are part of the state highway system subject to Title 47 RCW along segments where the posted speed limit exceeds thirty miles per hour;

(b) Local authorities may not prohibit the operation of medium-speed electric vehicles upon highways of this state having a speed limit of thirty-five miles per hour or less; and

(c) Local authorities may not establish requirements for the registration of medium-speed electric vehicles.

(4) In counties consisting of islands whose only connection to the mainland are ferry routes, a person may operate a medium-speed electric vehicle upon a highway of this state having a speed limit of forty-five miles per hour or less. A person operating a medium-speed electric vehicle as authorized under this subsection must not cross a roadway with a speed limit in excess of forty-five miles per hour, unless the crossing begins and ends on a roadway with a speed limit of forty-five miles per hour or less and occurs at an intersection of approximately ninety degrees, except that the operator of a medium-speed electric vehicle must not cross an uncontrolled intersection of streets and highways that are part of the state highway system subject to Title 47 RCW unless that intersection has been authorized by local authorities under subsection (3) of this section.

(5) Accidents must be recorded and tracked in compliance with chapter 46.52 RCW. An accident report must indicate and be tracked separately when any of the vehicles involved are a medium-speed electric vehicle.

Effective date—2016 c 17: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect April 1, 2016." [ 2016 c 17 s 3.]

Intent—Effective date—2011 c 171: See notes following RCW 4.24.210.

Effective date—2007 c 510: See note following RCW 46.04.320.