2014 -- H 7873 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES AND OTHER VEHICLES - LOW SPEED VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Representatives Valencia, Martin, Mattiello, Nunes, and Guthrie

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2014

     Referred To: House Municipal Government

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. The title of Chapter 31-19.4 of the General Laws entitled "Prudence Island

Low Speed Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 31-19.4

Prudence Island Low Speed Vehicles

CHAPTER 31-19.4

LOW SPEED VEHICLES

     SECTION 2. Chapter 31-19.4 of the General Laws entitled "Prudence Island Low Speed

Vehicles" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     31-19.4-2. Low speed vehicles authorized for use on state, city and town roadways. –

(a) For the purposes of this chapter, a low speed vehicle means a self-propelled, electrically or gas

powered motor vehicle which: is designed to carry six (6) or fewer persons; is designed to be, and

is, operated at speeds of twenty-five (25) miles per hour or less; and conforms to the maximum

safety equipment requirements as adopted in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 500,

Low Speed Vehicles (49 C.F.R. 571.500).

     (b) Every city and town is hereby authorized, by ordinance, to allow the operation of low

speed vehicles upon state, city or town roadways within its jurisdiction, notwithstanding any law

or regulation to the contrary, if it meets the requirements of this section.

     (c) The ordinance must specify the number of miles which the low speed vehicle is

permitted to operate.

     (d) The ordinance must specify the identity of the roadways and locations where the low

speed vehicle is permitted to operate.

     (e) Each person operating a low speed vehicle on a roadway of the state, a city or a town

shall possess a valid driver's license issued pursuant to § 31-10-1.

     (f) Every operator of a low speed vehicle shall maintain financial responsibility on such

low speed vehicle if the low speed vehicle is to be operated upon the roadways of the state, a city,

or a town.

     (g) Every person operating a low speed vehicle shall be granted all the rights and shall be

subject to all duties applicable to the driver of any motor vehicle except as to the special

regulations in this section and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no

application.

     (h) The operator of a low speed vehicle shall observe all traffic laws and local ordinances

regarding the rules of the road. A low speed vehicle shall not be operated on a street or a highway

with a posted speed limit greater than twenty-five (25) miles per hour. The provisions of this

subsection shall not prohibit a low speed vehicle from crossing a street or highway with a posted

speed limit greater than thirty-five (35) miles per hour.

     (i) No person shall operate a low speed vehicle: (1) In any careless way as to endanger

the person or property of another; or (2) While under the influence of alcohol or any controlled

substance. Low speed vehicles shall be manufactured and comply with the standards of the

National Traffic Safety Administration Standards for low speed vehicles as set out in 49 C.F.R.

571.000, as amended.

     (j) A low speed vehicle shall only be operated during the hours of 6:00 am through 6:00

pm.

     (k) All low speed vehicles authorized by local ordinance shall meet registration

requirements of chapter 3 of title 31 and inspection requirements of chapter 38 of title 31.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES AND OTHER VEHICLES - LOW SPEED VEHICLES

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     This act would permit cities and towns to authorize, by ordinance, the use of low speed

vehicles (vehicles with less than six (6) persons and less than twenty-five (25) miles per hour) on

state, city or town roads and the ordinance must specify the number of miles. The hours of

operation are from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the operator having a valid license, financial

responsibility and obedience to all traffic rules. The vehicle would also meet all state registration

and inspection sticker requirements.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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