New to the state? You have 30 days to get a new set of license plates

HUNTER T. GEORGE; traffic@thenewstribune.com

Published: 02/02/09 12:05 am | Updated: 02/02/09 7:35 am

0 comments

Question: Mike Hall of Bellevue says a neighbor has lived in the state for more than two years but is still driving a car with Alaska plates.

“Just the other day I saw that the tabs have been renewed for another year,” Hall tells Traffic Q&A. “He is living in this state and driving on Washington state roads without paying the state to use those roads and not being required to have an emissions check every other year just like everyone else. Is there any place I can report his violation?”

Answer: RCW 46.16.028 provides a 30-day window for Washington residents to register and license their vehicles. The penalty is a $1,122 fine.

The Washington State Patrol says tipsters can call this number to report violators: 360-449-7975. It’s a message line, so callers are asked to leave a clear message containing the vehicle license number, the state and the address where the vehicle is located.

Trooper Steve Schatzel of the Patrol’s Vancouver district, where the state puts an emphasis on catching license tab violators, said through a spokesman that he issued 660 citations last year and submitted 10 cases to prosecutors.

When Schatzel gets a tip, he sends the alleged violator “a little red postcard” explaining the rules and regulations. He reports getting a “very high compliance rate” with the postcard.

Got a question about traffic congestion, construction, spending or other transportation issues? Send it to traffic@thenewstribune.com. Include your name, hometown and daytime telephone number. We’ll answer as many as we can. Find an archive of previous answers at www.thenewstribune.com/news/traffic/qa.

Similar stories:

Police employ new motorcycles for traffic unit

Police employ new motorcycles for traffic unit

Bikes are maneuverable and stealthy
Border Patrol scaling back routine checks along northern border

Border Patrol scaling back routine checks along northern border

The U.S. Border Patrol has quietly stopped its controversial practice of routinely searching buses, trains and airports for illegal immigrants at transportation hubs along the northern border and in the nation's interior, preventing agents from using what had long been an effective tool for tracking down people here illegally, The Associated Press has learned.

Current and former Border Patrol agents said field offices around the country began receiving the order last month - soon after the Obama administration announced that to ease an overburdened immigration system, it would allow many illegal immigrants to remain in the country while it focuses on deporting those who have committed crimes.

The routine bus, train and airport checks typically involved agents milling about and questioning people who appeared suspicious, and had long been criticized by immigrant rights groups. Critics said the tactic amounted to racial profiling and violated travelers' civil liberties.
Extra patrols target impaired drivers

Extra patrols target impaired drivers

KENNEWICK -- Law enforcement in Benton and Franklin counties, as well as law enforcement across the state, have been participating in impaired driver patrols since Thanksgiving weekend and will continue through New Year's day.

Participating locally in the "Drive Hammered, Get Nailed" campaign are the Kennewick, Richland and Pasco police departments, the Benton and Franklin county sheriff's offices and the Washington State Patrol.

Impaired driving is the leading factor in traffic deaths in Washington. Last year, impaired drivers contributed to the deaths of more than half of the 491 people who died on Washington's roadways.
Route 16 exit to get extra attention

Route 16 exit to get extra attention

Question: There’s a potentially dangerous situation happening at the Union Avenue exit from Highway 16. Although the left lane of the exit is designated for vehicles turning south, drivers increasingly are using that lane to make a wide right turn northbound on Union.
Westbound traffic on SR-16 reopened after fatal crash

Westbound traffic on SR-16 reopened after fatal crash

The westbound lanes of state Route 16 near Burnham Drive have reopened after slick roads this morning caused several crashes - including one that killed a woman, the state DOT and State Patrol report.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here

We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.

SPORTS