Chapter 422

2013 -- S 0275 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 07/15/13

 

A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES GENERALLY

          

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Miller, Cool Rumsey, Cote, and Raptakis

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2013

 

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

 

     SECTION 1. Section 31-23-51 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-23 entitled

"Equipment and Accessories Generally" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

     31-23-51. Earphones and headsets prohibited. -- (a) A No person shall not drive

operate a bicycle or motor vehicle upon any highway while wearing earphones, or a headset.,

headphone, or other listening device. Any person who violates this section shall be fined: (1)

eighty-five dollars ($85.00) for the first offense, (2) ninety-five dollars ($95.00) for the second

offense, and (3) one hundred forty dollars ($140) for the third and each subsequent offense.

      (b) This section shall not apply to:

      (1) any Any emergency vehicle operator using an integrated intercom system.;

      (2) Any person operating a motorcycle who is using a headset installed in a helmet and

worn so as to prevent the speakers from making direct contact with the user's ears so that the user

can hear surrounding sounds;

      (3) Any person using a headset in conjunction with a cellular telephone that only provides

sound through one ear and allows surrounding sounds to be heard with the other ear;

      (4) Any person using a headset in conjunction with the communicating with the central

base operation that only provides sound through one ear and allows surrounding sounds to be

heard with the other ear;

      (5) Any person using a hearing aid(s) or instrument for the improvement of hearing.

      (c) The department of motor vehicles shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to

implement the provisions of this section.

 

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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LC00803/SUB A

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