"Driving with wheels off the roadway"

[bcp]

Motorcycle crash:
Amboy couple crash motorcycle into ditch on state Highway 12 | The Columbian

"Troopers determined the cause of the crash was wheels off the roadway. Samuel Brock was charged with driving with wheels off the roadway, the crash memo states."

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Seems like in WA, if they don't know why someone ran off the road and crashed, the cause and charge is "driving with wheels off the roadway." I see it about once a month.

That seems to be in the same category as "the plane crash was caused by hitting the ground."

Just doesn't seem right to me.

Bruce

 

[Wagtail]

Nah, the twits 'pop a wheelie'... I see it all the time on the 100kph road in front of my house as they come back from trail riding in the State Forest.

The young are 'indestructible'.

 

[LouNY]

A 50 year old on a Harley most likely wasn't doing a wheelie,
it sounds like a strange charge, wheels off the highway.
Around here it's parking on the shoulder, but that's what a lot of speeding tickets get plead down to.
To me that's just a catch all charge to generate revenue.

 

[oosik]

I've ridden motorcycles for over 55 years and I will guarantee - if your wheels venture off the pavement into the roadside gravel - you best be prepared. I had it happen once and had no damage to anything other than my ego. Had to get assistance to tug my Harley up and out of the roadside ditch.

However - I have NEVER heard of the term - "driving with wheels off the roadway" - - much less that it was any form of motor vehicle infraction.

I wouldn't even hazard a guess as to what they are talking about.

Fortunately - my travels around WA state have not been in that neck of the woods.

 

[Deere Dude]

I was looking for a larger bike but realized the roads around me in TN suck for riding. Many state roads are very curvy and narrow and have 1'-3' drop offs right at the white line at the shoulder. There is no forgiveness in our ditches. There is no self correcting on those ditches, you just plow into trees. Not much riding on these shoulders for sure.

 

[oosik]

You are certainly correct there - Deere Dude. I figure if I go beyond the magic "white line" - - its probably going to be a LOT more exciting than I need. I've only experienced "ditch riding" once and that was more than sufficient. I and my Harley came out undamaged - I was way beyond extremely lucky.

 

[Jstpssng]

RCWs > Title 46 > Chapter 46.61 > Section 46.61.670



46.61.665 << 46.61.670 >> 46.61.672







RCW 46.61.670



Driving with wheels off roadway.


It shall be unlawful to operate or drive any vehicle or combination of vehicles over or along any pavement or gravel or crushed rock surface on a public highway with one wheel or all of the wheels off the roadway thereof, except as permitted by RCW 46.61.428 or for the purpose of stopping off such roadway, or having stopped thereat, for proceeding back onto the pavement, gravel or crushed rock surface thereof.

[ 1977 ex.s. c 39 § 2; 1961 c 12 § 46.56.130. Prior: 1937 c 189 § 96; RRS § 6360-96. Formerly RCW 46.56.130.]RCW 46.61.67: Driving with wheels off roadway.

Which still doesn't make sense, as nobody is going to intentionally run their bike on the gravel shoulder.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Not a motorcycle rider, but "failing to negotiate a left turn" while driving with wheels off the roadway, if we're talking a motorcycle on loose gravel, says disaster to me.

 

[kcflhrc]

He certainly wasn't doing wheelies on a Dyna riding 2 up. That was obviously the only charge that fit the situation. Riding beyond his skill level may have been a better statement.

 

[Jstpssng]

Not a motorcycle rider, but "failing to negotiate a left turn" while driving with wheels off the roadway, if we're talking a motorcycle on loose gravel, says disaster to me.

I agree, but since when did losing control of you vehicle constitute a summonsible offense?