2023 -- S 0357

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LC000889

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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 -- PASSING, USE OF LANES, AND

RULES OF THE ROAD

     Introduced By: Senators Gallo, and Ciccone

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2023

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     (by request)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

     31-15-20.1 Lane splitting permitted.

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

motorcycle may be permitted to split lanes; provided that:

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

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

speed of the current traffic flow.

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

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

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

hour (50 mph).

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

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

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

     (c) The administrator, as defined in § 31-1-16, is hereby authorized to develop rules and

regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, in consultation with the department

of public safety.

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

January 28, 2024.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage and shall sunset on January 28, 2024.

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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.

     This act would take effect upon passage and shall sunset on January 28, 2024.

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