2020 -- H 7758

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LC004858

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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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 Quattrocchi, Filippi, Place, and Price

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2020

     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 Rules

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

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     31-15-20. Lane splitting permitted.

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     (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, any

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motorcycle may be permitted to split lanes provided, that:

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     (1) Traffic is stopped or travelling at a speed of no greater than ten miles per hour (10 mph).

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     (2) The motorcycle operator does not exceed ten miles per hour (10 mph) above the rate of

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speed of the current traffic flow.

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     (3) The motor cycle operator merges with traffic once the ten miles per hour (10 mph) lane

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splitting restriction speed has been achieved by the flow of traffic.

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     (4) The posted speed limit on the highway being traveled is greater than fifty miles per

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hour (50 mph).

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     (b) For the purposes of this section, "lane splitting" means driving a motorcycle, as defined

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in ยง 31-1-3, that has two (2) wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped or moving

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vehicles in the same lane, including on both divided and undivided streets, roads, or highways.

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     (c) The administrator is hereby authorized to develop rules and regulations necessary to

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carry out the purposes of this section, in consultation with the department of public safety.

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     (d) The provisions of this section authorizing lane splitting by motorcycles shall cease on

 

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January 28, 2021.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage and shall sunset on January 28, 2021.

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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 permit the practice of lane splitting by motorcycles.

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     This act would take effect upon passage and shall sunset on January 28, 2021.

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LC004858

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