Chapter 384

2004 -- S 2515

Enacted 07/05/04

A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES -- TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES

Introduced By: Senators Tassoni, Polisena, Paiva-Weed, and Damiani

Date Introduced: February 11, 2004

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 31-13 of the General Laws entitled "Traffic Control Devices" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

31-13-10.1. Traffic control signal preemption devices. – (a) As used in this section,

“traffic control signal preemption device” means any device, either mechanical or electrical, that

emits a pulse of light or other signal that, when received by a detector attached to a traffic control

signal, changes that traffic control signal to a green light or, if the traffic control signal is already

green, extends the duration of the green light.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (d), no retailer or manufacturer shall sell or install

any traffic control signal preemption device on a motor vehicle, nor may any such device be

transported in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, nor be operated by the driver or

passenger of a motor vehicle.

(c) Any person who shall violate the provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall be

fined not less than five hundred dollars ($500), which fine shall be deposited into the state general

fund.

(d) Installation of a traffic control signal preemption device is permitted on the following

vehicles, and operation of the device is permitted as follows:

(1) Police department vehicles, when responding to a bona fide emergency, when used in

combination with red or blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights;

(2) Law enforcement vehicles of state or local authorities, when responding to a bona fide

emergency, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights; and

(3) Vehicles of local fire departments and state or federal firefighting vehicles, when

responding to a bona fide emergency, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or

flashing lights.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02223

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