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In Washington, safety laws extend beyond seatbelts and speed limits. One lesser-known but important regulation is RCW 46.61.660, which prohibits carrying persons or animals on the outside parts of vehicles unless very specific safety or work-related conditions are met.

Whether you’re riding in a pickup truck bed or letting your dog perch on a fender, this law may apply. Here’s what you need to know about compliance, exceptions, and legal consequences.

📜 What RCW 46.61.660 Prohibits

RCW 46.61.660 makes it unlawful to transport:

  1. Any living animal on the running board, fenders, hood, or other outside parts of a vehicle, unless:
    • A suitable harness, cage, or enclosure is used, and
    • It is securely attached to prevent the animal from falling or being thrown.
  2. Any person on the same exterior parts of a vehicle, with two exceptions:
    • Authorized emergency vehicles
    • Solid waste collection vehicles actively collecting trash or recyclables, if driving at 20 mph or less

🐕 Why This Law Exists

The purpose of this law is simple: prevent injury or death to both passengers and animals. Riding or sitting on the outside of a moving vehicle is inherently dangerous, particularly at higher speeds or on uneven roads.

Animals unsecured in truck beds or fender areas may:

  • Jump or fall into traffic
  • Become projectiles during a collision
  • Be injured by road debris or weather exposure

Similarly, people riding outside a vehicle — whether for fun, work, or convenience — face a high risk of:

  • Falling off during turns or sudden stops
  • Obstructing the driver’s view or vehicle control
  • Violating broader traffic safety standards

🚫 Common Violations

  • Allowing a dog to ride on a pickup tailgate without restraint
  • Letting a child or adult sit on the hood or roof of a vehicle during slow neighborhood driving
  • Perching someone on the fender or bumper to “hold cargo” in place
  • Transporting farm animals loosely in an open-bed vehicle

Even at low speeds, these actions may violate RCW 46.61.660 and invite both legal penalties and significant safety risks.

✅ What Is Allowed

There are two narrow exceptions for carrying people on a vehicle’s exterior:

  1. Authorized emergency vehicles — e.g., law enforcement, fire, or EMS operations
  2. Garbage and recycling trucks — when actively collecting waste at or under 20 mph

For animals, transportation is allowed only if:

  • The animal is in a harness, crate, or enclosure, and
  • That equipment is securely fastened to the vehicle

Simply letting a pet ride “freely” in a pickup bed or on a tailgate does not meet the law’s safety standard.

Violating RCW 46.61.660 can result in:

  • A traffic infraction or citation
  • Liability in the event of an accident or injury
  • Animal cruelty charges in more serious circumstances
  • Civil lawsuits if a person or pet is harmed

While this statute is not commonly cited in appellate decisions, it remains enforceable and is part of Washington’s broader framework of reckless or negligent operation laws.

🧠 Practical Safety Tips

  • Always use pet restraints or crates when transporting animals
  • Never allow passengers to ride on the outside of a vehicle
  • Remind young drivers: even “slow joyrides” with friends on the hood or bumper are unlawful
  • Treat the truck bed as a cargo area, not a seating area

📞 Call to Action

If you’ve received a citation under RCW 46.61.660 or been involved in an incident involving unsafe transport practices, it’s important to understand your rights and obligations.
Contact Blanford Law today at ken@blanfordlaw.com or 253-720-9304 for experienced legal guidance.

Additional Resources