Title 31
Motor and Other Vehicles

Chapter 24
Lighting Equipment and Reflectors

R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-24-23

§ 31-24-23. Use of multiple beam lamps.

Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a roadway or on its shoulder during the times specified in § 31-24-1, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements and limitations:

(1) Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within five hundred feet (500′), the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver. The lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, specified in subdivision (2) of § 31-24-22, shall be deemed to avoid glare at all times, regardless of road contour and loading.

(2) Whenever the driver of a vehicle follows another vehicle within two hundred feet (200′) to the rear, except when engaged in the act of overtaking and passing, the driver shall use a distribution of light permissible under this chapter other than the upper most distribution of light specified in subdivision (1) of § 31-24-22.

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

History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 34, § 20; P.L. 1954, ch. 3291, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 31-24-23; P.L. 2002, ch. 292, § 121.