Chapter 263

2009 -- S 0160

Enacted 11/13/09

 

A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES

          

     Introduced By: Senators Connors, Miller, and Goodwin

     Date Introduced: February 03, 2009 

 

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

 

     SECTION 1. Section 31-13-10.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-13 entitled "Traffic

Control Devices" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

     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.

     (4) Buses under the operation and/or control of the Rhode Island public transit authority,

only when used to prolong a green light signal.

 

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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LC00300

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