Chapter 538

2004 -- S 2168

Enacted 07/09/04

A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES

Introduced By: Senators Tassoni, Roberts, DaPonte, Lanzi, and Polisena

Date Introduced: January 27, 2004

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-13-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-13 entitled "Traffic

Control Devices" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-13-6. Specifications and meaning of traffic lights. -- Whenever traffic is controlled

by traffic control signals exhibiting the words "go", "caution", or "stop", or exhibiting different

colored lights successively one at a time, or with arrows, the following colors only shall be used,

and the terms and lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:

      (1) Green alone or "go."

      (i) Vehicular traffic facing the signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left

unless a sign at the place prohibits either a right or left turn. But vehicular traffic, including

vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians

lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time the signal is exhibited.

      (ii) Pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the roadway within any marked or

unmarked crosswalk.

      (2) Yellow alone or "caution" when shown following the green or "go" signal.

      (i) Vehicular traffic facing the signal is warned by it that the red or "stop" signal will be

exhibited immediately afterwards, and the vehicular traffic shall not enter or be crossing the

intersection when the red or "stop" signal is exhibited.

      (ii) Pedestrians facing the signal are advised by it that there is insufficient time to cross

the roadway, and any pedestrian then starting to cross shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles.

      (3) Red alone or "stop."

      (i) Vehicular traffic facing the signal shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near

side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain standing

until the green or "go" is shown alone, and shall not, prior to reaching the intersection, make any

turn over or through private property in order to avoid the signal. A right hand turn shall be

permitted after vehicular traffic reaches a complete stop, at intersections when safety would

permit the a turn and no sign forbids it. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated

in section 31-41.1-4.

      (ii) No pedestrian facing the signal shall enter the roadway unless he or she can do so

safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.

      (4) Red with green arrow.

      (i) Vehicular traffic facing the signal may cautiously enter the intersection only to make

the movement indicated by the arrow, but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully

within a crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

      (ii) No pedestrian facing the signal shall enter the roadway unless he or she can do so

safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.

(5) Red arrow.

(i) Vehicular traffic facing the signal shall stop and shall remain standing until the red

arrow turns green.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01139

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