2014 -- S 2596

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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 AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SPEED RESTRICTIONS

     

     Introduced By: Senators Jabour, Nesselbush, Crowley, Lombardi, and Lombardo

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     (Transportation)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 31-14-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-14 entitled "Speed

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Restrictions" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     31-14-3. Conditions requiring reduced speed. -- (a) The driver of every vehicle shall,

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consistent with the requirements of section 31-14-1, drive at an appropriate reduced speed when

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approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad grade crossing, when approaching and going

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around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding

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roadway, when special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of

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weather or highway conditions and in the presence of emergency vehicles displaying flashing

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lights as provided in section 31-24-31, tow trucks, transporter trucks, highway maintenance

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equipment, and roadside assistance vehicles displaying flashing amber lights while assisting a

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disabled motor vehicle. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in section 31-

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41.1-4.

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      (b) When an authorized vehicle as described in subsection (a) is parked or standing

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within twelve feet (12') of a roadway and is giving a warning signal by appropriate light, the

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driver of every other approaching vehicle shall, as soon as it is safe, and when not otherwise

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directed by an individual lawfully directing traffic, do one of the following:

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      (1) Move the vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest the parked or standing

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authorized highway maintenance equipment or emergency vehicle and continue traveling in that

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lane until safely clear of the authorized highway maintenance equipment or emergency vehicle.

 

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This paragraph applies only if the roadway has at least two (2) lanes for traffic proceeding in the

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direction of the approaching vehicle and if the approaching vehicle may change lanes safely and

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without interfering with any vehicular traffic.

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      (2) Slow the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions, and operate the

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vehicle at a reduced speed until completely past the authorized highway maintenance equipment

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or emergency vehicle. This paragraph applies only if the roadway has only one lane for traffic

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proceeding in the direction of the approaching vehicle or if the approaching vehicle may not

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change lanes safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.

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      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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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SPEED RESTRICTIONS

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     This act would require drivers to move a vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest a

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parked or standing piece of highway maintenance equipment and would continue traveling in the

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lane until safely clear of the highway maintenance equipment.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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