2023 -- H 5294

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LC000817

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SPEED RESTRICTIONS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Hull, J. Lombardi, Tanzi, Felix, Newberry, Slater,
McNamara, and Bennett

     Date Introduced: February 01, 2023

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     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.

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     (a) The driver of every vehicle shall, consistent with the requirements of § 31-14-1, drive

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at an appropriate, reduced speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad grade

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crossing; when approaching and going around a curve; when approaching a hill crest; when

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traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway; when special hazard exists with respect to

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pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions; and in the presence of

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emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights as provided in § 31-24-31, tow trucks, transporter

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trucks, highway maintenance equipment displaying flashing lights (while performing maintenance

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

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disabled motor vehicle, and any nonemergency vehicle that is stationary and located on the shoulder

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or breakdown lane of a roadway or highway. Violations of this section are subject to fines

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enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

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

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

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every other approaching vehicle shall, as soon as it is safe, and when not otherwise directed by an

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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 displaying flashing lights (while performing

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maintenance operations) or, tow truck, transporter trucks, roadside assistance vehicles, emergency

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vehicle, or nonemergency vehicle and continue traveling in that lane until safely clear of the

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authorized highway maintenance equipment displaying flashing lights (while performing

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maintenance operations) or, tow truck, transporter trucks, roadside assistance vehicles, emergency

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vehicle, or non emergency vehicle. This paragraph applies only if the roadway has at least two (2)

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lanes for traffic proceeding in the direction of the approaching vehicle and if the approaching

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vehicle may change lanes safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.

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

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

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flashing lights (while performing maintenance operations) or, tow truck, transporter trucks,

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roadside assistance vehicle, emergency vehicle, or nonemergency vehicle. This paragraph applies

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only if the roadway has only one lane for traffic proceeding in the direction of the approaching

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vehicle or if the approaching vehicle may not change lanes safely and without interfering with any

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vehicular traffic.

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     Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 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 those vehicles traveling on any roadway or highway to move over

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to the left lane or slow down upon approaching a nonemergency vehicle that is stationary on the

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side of any roadway or highway.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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