Home Government ▼ Services ▼ How Do I... ▼ Contact ▼ Traffic Safety Education MEDINA POLICE DEPARTMENT Traffic Safety and Enforcement What You Can Expect From the Medina Police Department If You Are Stopped by the Medina Police Department Safety is Our Concern: Don't be Offended Treating Citizens With Respect Traffic Safety Educational Videos Frequently Asked Questions Getting pulled over by a police officer can be a stressful and uncomfortable experience, especially if you have never been pulled over before. This page is designed to familiarize you with what to expect in traffic stop from the Medina Police Department. The primary reason for being pulled over is for your safety and the safety of others. Education is the number one goal of the Medina Police Department. Through driver education and enforcement, our mission is to keep you, your friends, and your loved ones safe on our streets. The Medina Police Department has focused on three major areas that studies have shown can reduce collisions, prevent injuries, and save lives. These areas are: Speeding Seat Belts DUI (driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol) While there are many other moving violations, these three major areas significantly impact public safety. Officers carry out the department's goal of providing a safe motoring environment for the public. They are responsible for enforcing traffic laws, investigating collisions, and assisting motorists on all of the streets in the City of Medina and Town of Hunts Point. We hope this page will help you feel comfortable with the contact you have with the officer. Please remember that the number one goal is to make sure you and your loved ones are safe on the roadways. What You Can Expect From the Medina Police Department That the officer is courteous and professional and treats you in a respectful manner. That you will receive an explanation of why you were stopped. That your safety is ensured while in contact with the officer and that he or she will assist you in getting back on the roadway safely. If you are issued a ticket, that it will be explained to you as well as your options for resolving it. If You Are Stopped by the Medina Police Department As soon as you notice the emergency lights, pull your vehicle safely over to the right and stop when it is safe. Although you might not know the reason, you should pull over right away. There may be some problem with your vehicle of which you are unaware. Remain in your vehicle while the officer approaches. Do not attempt to get out of your vehicle or approach the officer. Exiting your vehicle does not assist the officer and may be perceived as a threat. For the officer's safety and yours, remain in your vehicle. Turn on your interior light if stopped at night. A lit vehicle will reduce the officer's concern regarding weapons or other possible threats within your reach. Keep your hands easily observable, preferably on the steering wheel where they can be easily seen by the approaching officer. Reaching under your seat or into your glove box are actions that will cause the officer concern that you may be reaching for a weapon. Give your license, registration, and proof of insurance to the officer if asked to do so. Law requires a driver to turn over this information upon request by a uniformed officer or an officer in plain clothes who displays proper identification. Answer all questions honestly, be respectful. Information pertaining to prior arrests or traffic violations is easily verified via the police dispatcher. Touching or threatening a police officer or acting in a disorderly manner could result in the filing of additional charges against you and you may be arrested. If the officer asks you to step out of your vehicle, do so without any sudden or threatening movements. Give the officer approximately 3-5 feet of "personal" space as a safety zone to do his or her job. Remain in your vehicle at all times unless told to do otherwise. Do not become argumentative, disorderly, or abusive. If you believe that you have been unfairly treated, DO NOT make that argument on the side of the road. Your best alternative is to carry your protest to traffic court. In some cases, officers may ask you for your consent to search your vehicle. You have the right to refuse a consent search. Safety is Our Concern: Don't be Offended Most citizens already realize that law enforcement is a difficult and dangerous profession. Scores of police officers are killed each year, and hundreds more are injured and assaulted. For these reasons, police officers tend to be extremely cautious. They place a great deal of emphasis on officer safety and survival. Certain safety practices are instilled in our officers from the first day of their careers. Although the procedures maximize safety for the officer, they may seem standoffish, impolite, or offensive to citizens who may not consider such precautions necessary with "them." Even though you have no intention of doing the officer harm, he or she will probably maintain a defensive posture until the officer feels that there is no risk of confrontation or injury. As far as police officers are concerned, there is no such thing as a "routine" traffic stop. Every stop has the potential for danger. Treating Citizens With Respect Medina Police Officers, from day one, are trained in keeping our community safe and enhancing the quality of life for us all. They are taught to be respectful, professional, and courteous in all education and enforcement stops. If you feel an officer has acted inappropriately, I want to know. Please contact Chief Steve Burns of the Medina Police Department at (425) 233-6420 and communicate your concerns. You have the right to file a complaint through that office and I will follow up on it. Conversely, I would also welcome comments of a positive nature. A disagreement over the validity of a traffic infraction or criminal citation is not a complaint. Such disagreements should be directed to Kirkland Municipal Court. The Medina Police Department makes a difference every day by providing public safety services to everyone where they live, work, travel, and play. Traffic Safety Educational Videos Seat Belt Education Download Windows Media File (24.5 MB) Buckle Up Helper children's video Download Windows Media File (12.4 MB) Road Rage video Download Windows Media File (21.5 MB) .08% DUI Laws Download Windows Media File (20.7 MB) Under 21 - Zero Tolerance for DUI Download Windows Media File (23.1 MB) Intermediate Drivers License - For Teens and Parents Download Windows Media File (14.4 MB) Frequently Asked Questions Seatbelt Laws Motorized Scooters Bicycle Helmets When does the primary offense enforcement of the seat belt law and child passenger restraint law go into effect? June 13, 2002 - Primary enforcement law July 1, 2002 - Child passenger restraint law For more information on the law, see RCW 46.61.687 and RCW 46.61.688. What is the fine for failure to or improperly use or wear a seat belt or child safety restraint device? The fine is $101. Can I be issued a (Notice of Infraction) ticket for no seat belt if a person in my car is over 16? No. The driver of a vehicle is only responsible for ensuring all persons 15 and under is properly secured in a seat belt or other safety restraint device as required by law. All persons age 16 and over may be issued a separate Notice of Infraction. I have an older vehicle. Is it required to have a seat belt? Every vehicle manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1965, shall be equipped with at least two lap-type safety belt assemblies for use in the front seating positions. Every passenger car manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1968, shall be equipped with a lap-type safety belt assembly for each permanent passenger seating position. Every passenger car manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1968, shall be equipped with at least two shoulder harness-type safety belt assemblies for use in the front seating positions. Every pickup manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1972, shall be equipped with safety belts. Rule of thumb: If your vehicle was originally equipped with safety belts, they must be in good working order and must be used. Do persons in a camper or motor home have to wear safety belts? Persons in the driving compartment must use proper restraints. Persons in the living area should use restraints if there are restraints available. If my seat belt has a separate lap and shoulder belt, do I have to use both? Yes. Can my child or other person ride in the bed of my pickup? Yes, provided there are no seats available in the cab. If adults are occupying the passenger seats, they are required to ride in the back so children can ride in the cab. Washington does not have a law that prevents persons from riding in pickup beds. However, the seat belt law does require that all passenger positions with safety belts be utilized. Example: If there are five seating positions in the pickup and there are only two adults in the passenger compartment but three other persons in the pickup bed, the driver (depending on the age of the persons in the pickup bed) could be issued a Notice of Infraction. Does a Notice of Infraction for violation of the seat belt law go on my driving record? Yes, but it is not made available to insurance companies. This violation is like any other Notice of Infraction. If it is not taken care of properly, your license will be suspended for fail to appear. Are there any exemptions to the seat belt law? Yes, a driver or passenger who possesses written verification from a licensed physician that the driver or passenger is unable to wear a safety belt for physical or medical reasons does not have to wear the safety belt. I have a child who is one year old but is less than twenty pounds. Does the child need to remain in a rear-facing infant seat? Washington law states the child can be one year or twenty pounds. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the child remain rear-facing until at least one year and twenty pounds. I have a child who is more than 1 year old but less than 4 years old and weighs less than 40 pounds but more than 20. How should I secure my child in the vehicle? Washington law requires these children to be properly restrained in a forward-facing child safety seat restraint system. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the child be kept in the convertible seat as long as they fall within the height/weight recommendations for the seat. When should I use a booster seat? Washington law requires a child who is less than 6 years of age but at least 4 or weighs less than 60 pounds but at least 40 pounds be properly restrained in a child booster seat when both lap and shoulder belts are available. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends booster seats, used in conjunction with lap/shoulder belts, be used until the child is 8 years old unless the child is 4'9". If you answer "NO" to any of the following questions, your child is safer in a booster seat: 1. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat? 2. Does the child sit with hips all the way back against the auto seat? 3. Is the lap belt on the top part of the thighs? 4. Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest? 5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip? Are children under age 6 required to ride in the back seat? Yes, if the vehicle is equipped with a passenger side air bag and it is practical to do so. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children under 12 are safer in the back seat regardless of the presence of a passenger side air bag. Should I use age or weight to determine the correct way to safely restrain my child? Most experts agree that size is more important than age. I am too large for my seat belt. What can I do? Seat belt extenders are available for most domestic vehicles for a fee. Take the information on the seat belt label along with your vehicle to the parts department of your local dealer. Extenders are not interchangeable, so go to the dealer for your particular vehicle. If you have trouble getting service from the dealer, try another dealer or call the customer assistance number listed in your owner's manual. Check your owner's manual for an explanation of these seat belt systems. Why aren't school buses required to have seat belts? See the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's web site for the answer to this question. If a person is sitting in a ferry line in their car waiting for a ferry will they be ticketed for not wearing a seat belt? No, they will not be ticketed. Other miscellaneous information: One person per belt. Keep lap belts low and snug across the thighs. Do not place the shoulder portion of the seat belt behind your back or under the arm. This prevents the seat belt from working properly. Always use a seat belt, even if you have an air bag. Always replace a child's car seat if it has been involved in a collision. Child safety seats are found to reduce fatal injuries by 71% for infants (less than 1 year of age) and 54% for toddlers in passenger cars. Lap and shoulder belts, when used, reduce the risk of fatal injury to front seat passenger car occupants by 45% and the risk of moderate to critical injury by 50%. For more information about child safety restraints, child seat clinics, seat belts, and air bags, you can contact the following organizations: Washington Traffic Safety Commission - (360) 753-6197 or http://www.wa.gov/wtsc/ Washington State Safety Restraint Coalition - 1-800-BUCK-L-UP National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - See http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ What is the definition of a motorized scooter which is legal to use in Washington State? An “electric personal assistive mobility device” (EPAMD) means a self-balancing device with two wheels not in tandem, designed to transport only one person by an electric propulsion system with an average power of seven hundred fifty watts (one horsepower) having a maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such propulsion while ridden by an operator weighing one hundred seventy pounds, or less than twenty miles per hour. (RCW 46.04.1695) A “motorized foot scooter” means a device with no more than 2 ten-inch or smaller diameter wheels that has handlebars, is designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, and is powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion. (RCW 46.04.336) Are the EPAMD and motorized foot scooters considered a vehicle? No. (RCW 46.04.320) Do I need a driver’s license to operate an EPAMD or motorized foot scooter? No driver’s license is required to operate an EPAMD or a motorized foot scooter. Where can I operate my EPAMD or motorized foot scooter? It is unlawful to operate an EPAMD on a fully controlled limited access highway; however, an EPAMD can be ridden on sidewalks. (RCW 46.61.710) Motorized foot scooters may not be operated at any time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise. They may be operated most places bicycles are allowed such as multipurpose trails or bicycle lanes, provided “motorized vehicles” are not prohibited. (RCW 46.61.710) Who regulates the use of an EPAMD or motorized foot scooter? A municipality and the Department of Transportation may prohibit the operation of an EPAMD on public highways within their respective jurisdictions where the speed limit is greater than 25 miles per hour. A municipality may restrict the speed of an EPAMD in locations with congested pedestrian or non-motorized traffic and where there is significant speed differential between pedestrians and EPAMD operators. The areas in this subsection must be designated by the city engineer or designee of the municipality. Municipalities shall not restrict the speed of an EPAMD in the entire community or in areas in which there is infrequent pedestrian traffic. A state agency or local government or municipalities may regulate the operation of an EPAMD and motorized foot scooter within the boundaries under their jurisdiction and control, including any area used for recreation, open space, habitat, trails, or conservation purposes. (RCW 46.61.710) Can the EPAMD and motorized foot scooter be ridden on bike paths? Yes, providing there are not signs prohibiting the use of motorized vehicles. Bicycle Helmets MAKE EVERY BICYCLE RIDE A SAFE RIDE Bicycle accidents can cause severe head or brain injuries that can have serious effects. They can cause learning disabilities, personality changes, loss of speech or sight, paralysis and even death. 85% of all head or brain injuries could be avoided if cyclists wore bicycle helmets. 85% of all bicycle crashes occur within 5 blocks of home. 47% of all bicycle crashes occur off the road - in driveways and on sidewalks. Making bicycle helmet use a habit is the best way for you to protect your children when they ride their bike or trike! Here are some suggestions to help promote bike helmet use and make every bicycle ride a safe ride: Model safe behavior for children: Wear a helmet when you ride. Remember that bike helmets are required by law in King County (including Seattle). Review the "rules of the road" with children and practice stop, look, listen and look again. Practice bike riding in a safe parking lot or playground. Practice hand signals, changing lanes, and looking over your shoulder to make sure it is safe to change directions, and how to avoid collisions. Make helmet use mandatory when using riding toys at home or in child care. Remind older children that pot holes, puddles, loose gravel, wet leaves, drain grates and opening car doors can all be hazards when riding on the street. When buying a helmet, make sure it meets current safety standards. Helmets made for sale in the U.S. after 1999 are required to meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. Look for a CPSC label inside the helmet. Drivers can see a light or brightly colored helmet better than a dark one. If your children are reluctant to wear helmets, try letting them choose their own color and style - allowing children to choose a helmet that's "cool" may make them less likely to take it off when you're not around. Bike helmets should be worn straight and level, just above the eyebrows to protect the wearer's forehead and brain. The helmet should be adjusted for a snug fit and the strap buckled under the chin on every ride. Always wear a helmet according to the manufacturer's directions! When a child gets off their bike they should always remove their helmet. The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that helmets can catch on playground equipment, trees or other objects and choke or cause other injury to a child. Bike helmets are "Ticket to Safety" KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Today, the King County Board of Health voted unanimously to amend the King County bike helmet regulation to include Seattle. The new rule will go into effect on August 17, 2003. After that date, bicyclists in Seattle cited for violating the bike helmet regulation could receive an $80 fine. "This is an important step for reducing traumatic brain injuries," said King County Board of Health Chair Carolyn Edmonds. "As a result of this regulation, we will spare hundreds of local families the ordeal of watching their children or other family members suffer through a devastating injury or of losing a loved one in a senseless, preventable tragedy." Many communities in Washington State have recognized the importance of bike helmet ordinances and regulations as part of a sound injury prevention strategy. "The evidence is clear. Requiring riders to wear bike helmets will save lives and reduce serious bicycle injuries," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "This thoughtful action by the King County Board of Health protects the scores of Seattle residents who ride bicycles for pleasure or transportation every day." Several studies have shown that legislation in combination with education increases helmet usage and decreases head injuries. In addition, local researchers have found that bike helmets reduce head injuries by 65 - 85%. Moreover, Public Health-Seattle & King County, with support from the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center and the Centers for Disease Control, has estimated that $10 million a year could be saved if every bicyclist in King County wore a helmet. This Board of Health action is consistent with a Seattle City Council resolution, passed unanimously in June, supporting the extension of King County's mandatory bicycle helmet rule into City limits. Many organizations in Seattle and King County provide low cost bike helmets. Public Health - Seattle & King County maintains a list of these providers on its website at: www.metrokc.gov/health/injury/helmets.htm Back to Top Official Website of the City of Medina, Washington. All Rights Reserved. City Hall Business Hours: 7:30am - 4:00pm M-F Location: 501 Evergreen Point Road, Medina, WA 98039 Phone: 425.233.6400 Fax: 425.451.8197 About this Site | Feedback Form | Site Map Government Websites by GovOffice