Title 31
Motor and Other Vehicles

Chapter 16
Starting, Stopping, and Turns

R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-16-2

§ 31-16-2. Manner of turning at intersection.

The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows:

(1) Right turns.

(i) Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

(ii) Pedestrians intending to cross a lane of traffic which is required to stop or yield by a red traffic light, stop or yield sign or other traffic control device shall be granted the right-of-way.

(2) Left turns on two-way roadways.

(i) At any intersection where traffic is permitted to move in both directions on each roadway entering the intersections, an approach for a left turn shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the center line of it and by passing to the right of the center line where it enters the intersection, and, after entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection to the right of the center line of the roadway being entered. Whenever practicable the left turn shall be made in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection.

(ii) Pedestrians intending to cross a lane of traffic which is required to stop or yield by a red traffic light, stop or yield sign or other traffic control device shall be granted the right of way.

(3) Left turns on other than two way roadways.

(i) At any intersection where traffic is restricted to one direction on one or more of the roadways, the driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at an intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of the vehicle, and, after entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection, as nearly as practicable, in the left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction upon the roadway being entered.

(ii) Pedestrians intending to cross a lane of traffic which is required to stop or yield by a red traffic light, stop or yield sign, or other traffic control device, shall be granted the right-of-way.

(4) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 27, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 31-16-2; P.L. 1999, ch. 383, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 292, § 111.