2012 -- H 7550

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LC01417

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PASSING, USE OF LANES, AND

RULES OF THE ROAD

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Hull, San Bento, Nunes, Johnston, and Medina

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2012

     Referred To: House Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 31-15 of the General Laws entitled "Passing, Use of Lanes, and

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Rules of the Road" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     31-15-19. Two-way left turn lanes. – A two-way left turn lane may be designated near

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the center of a roadway for use by vehicles making left turns in both directions from or into the

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roadway.

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     (1) Two-way left turn lanes shall be designated by distinctive roadway markings

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consisting of parallel double yellow lines, interior line dashed and exterior line solid on each side

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of the lane. The department of transportation may determine and prescribe standards and

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specifications governing length, width, and positioning of the distinctive pavement markings. All

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pavement markings designating a two-way left turn lane shall conform to the department of

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transportation’s standards and specifications.

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     (2) A vehicle shall not be driven in a designated two-way left turn lane except when

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preparing for or making a left turn from or into a highway or when preparing for or making a U-

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turn when otherwise permitted by law, and shall not be driven in that lane for more than two

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hundred feet (200’) while preparing for and making the turn or while preparing to merge into the

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adjacent lanes of travel. A left turn or U-turn shall not be made from any other lane where a two-

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way left turn lane has been designated.

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     (3) This section shall not prohibit driving across a two-way left turn lane.

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     (4) Raised pavement markers may be used to simulate painted lines described in this

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section when such markers are placed in accordance with standards established by the department

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of transportation.

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     (5) Upon any vehicle entering the turn lane, no other vehicle proceeding in the opposite

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direction shall enter that turn lane if that entrance would prohibit the vehicle already in the lane

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from making the intended turn.

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     (6) When vehicles enter the turn lane proceeding in opposite directions, the first vehicle

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to enter the lane shall have the right-of-way.

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     (7) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in section 31-41.1-4.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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LC01417

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PASSING, USE OF LANES, AND

RULES OF THE ROAD

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     This act would establish traffic rules and regulations for the use of two-way left turn

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laws.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

     

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LC01417

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H7550