2012 -- S 2415

=======

LC01594

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - PASSING, USE OF LANES, AND

RULES OF THE ROAD

     

     

     Introduced By: Senators Tassoni, Ottiano, P Fogarty, Picard, and Lynch

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2012

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Chapter 31-15 of the General Laws entitled "Passing, Use of Lanes, and

1-2

Rules of the Road" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

1-3

     31-15-19. Two-way left turn lanes. – A two-way left turn lane may be designated near

1-4

the center of a roadway for use by vehicles making left turns in both directions from or into the

1-5

roadway.

1-6

     (1) Two-way left turn lanes shall be designated by distinctive roadway markings

1-7

consisting of parallel double yellow lines, interior line dashed and exterior line solid on each side

1-8

of the lane. The department of transportation may determine and prescribe standards and

1-9

specifications governing length, width, and positioning of the distinctive pavement markings. All

1-10

pavement markings designating a two-way left turn lane shall conform to the department of

1-11

transportation’s standards and specifications.

1-12

     (2) A vehicle shall not be driven in a designated two-way left turn lane except when

1-13

preparing for or making a left turn from or into a highway or when preparing for or making a U-

1-14

turn when otherwise permitted by law, and shall not be driven in that lane for more than two

1-15

hundred (200ft) while preparing for and making the turn or while preparing to merge into the

1-16

adjacent lanes of travel. A left turn or U-turn shall not be made from any other lane where a two-

1-17

way left turn lane has been designated.

1-18

     (3) This section shall not prohibit driving across a two-way left turn lane.

2-19

     (4) Raised pavement markers may be used to simulate painted lines described in this

2-20

section when such markers are placed in accordance with standards established by the department

2-21

of transportation.

2-22

     (5) When any vehicle enters the turn lane, no other vehicle proceeding in an opposite

2-23

direction shall enter that turn lane if that entrance would prohibit the vehicle already in the lane

2-24

from making the intended turn.

2-25

     (6) When vehicles enter the turn lane proceeding in opposite directions, the first vehicle

2-26

to enter the lane shall have the right-of-way.

2-27

     (7) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in section 31-41-1.4.

2-28

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

=======

LC01594

=======

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - PASSING, USE OF LANES, AND

RULES OF THE ROAD

***

3-1

     This act would promulgate rules for use of two-way left turn lanes.

3-2

     This act would take effect upon passage.

     

=======

LC01594

=======

S2415