2022 -- H 7094

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LC003233

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SIZE, WEIGHT, AND LOAD LIMITS -

- COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Representatives Ruggiero, Cortvriend, and Abney

     Date Introduced: January 12, 2022

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 31-25 of the General Laws entitled "Size, Weight, and Load Limits"

is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     31-25-27.12. Commercial vehicles prohibited on Chases Lane in Middletown.

     (a) The operation of commercial vehicles is prohibited on Chases Lane in Middletown.

     (b) For purposes of this section, a "commercial vehicle" is defined as a motor vehicle or

combination of vehicles used to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle:

     (1) Has a gross combination weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds (26,001 lbs)

or more, or a towed unit with a gross vehicle rating of more than ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs)

or more, or has a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds (26,001 lbs) or

more; or

     (2) Is designed to transport sixteen (16) or more passengers including the driver; or

     (3) Is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be placarded in accordance with

49 C.F.R. Part 172, Subpart F, as it may be revised from time to time.

     (c) Nothing contained in this section shall affect the use of Chases Lane by:

     (1) Any fire truck, town public works department truck, police vehicle, ambulance, school

bus, bus serving the area or other motor truck using such streets or highways in any emergency or

engaged in delivering public utilities, goods, wares, merchandising or materials to or from any

residence, residential building or residential lot within the town bordering on such street; provided

further, that the use of Chases Lane for the delivery of goods, wares, merchandising or materials to

or from any commercial business or building, or any commercial lot within the town bordering on

such street is specifically prohibited.

     (2) Any farm vehicle as defined in § 31-1-8, which is registered with farm vehicle plates

pursuant to § 31-3-31.

     (d) In all instances where motor vehicle traffic is restricted or prohibited under this section,

the town administrator is directed to cause signs to be erected on such streets or highways giving

notice of such, in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

     (e) Any driver who operates a commercial vehicle in violation of this section shall be

subject to a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for a first violation, fifty dollars

($50.00) for a second violation, and not less than one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125), but no

more than five hundred dollars ($500) for each subsequent violation.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SIZE, WEIGHT, AND LOAD LIMITS -

- COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

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     This act would prohibit commercial vehicles from operating on Chases Lane in the town

of Middletown and would provide for fines for violations.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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