Chapter 328

2005 -- S 0294 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 07/19/05

A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES

Introduced By: Senators Gibbs, Breene, Lenihan, Cote, and Polisena

Date Introduced: February 09, 2005

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 31 of the General Laws entitled "Motor and Other Vehicles" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 19.4

PRUDENCE ISLAND LOW SPEED VEHICLES

31-19.4-1. Prudence Island low speed vehicles. – (a) For the purposes of this chapter, a

low speed vehicle means a self-propelled, electrically or gas powered motor vehicle which: is

designed to carry four (4) or fewer persons; is designed to be, and is, operated at speeds of

twenty-five (25) miles per hour or less; and conforms to the maximum safety equipment

requirements as adopted in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 500, Low Speed

vehicles (49 C.F.R. 571.500). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, a low speed vehicle may

be operated upon the roadways of Prudence Island if it meets the requirements of this section.

(b) Each person operating a low speed vehicle on a roadway of Prudence Island shall

possess a valid driver’s license issued pursuant to section 31-10-1.

(c) Every operator of a low speed vehicle shall maintain financial responsibility on such

low speed vehicle if the low speed vehicle is to be operated upon the roadways of Prudence

Island.

(d) Every person operating a low speed vehicle shall be granted all the rights and shall be

subject to all duties applicable to the driver of any motor vehicle except as to the special

regulations in this section and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no

application.

(e) The operator of a low speed vehicle shall observe all traffic laws and local ordinances

regarding the rules of the road. A low speed vehicle shall not be operated on a street or a highway

with a posted speed limit greater than twenty-five (25) miles per hour. The provisions of this

subsection shall not prohibit a low speed vehicle from crossing a street or highway with a posted

speed limit greater than thirty-five (35) miles per hour.

(f) No person shall operate a low speed vehicle: (1) in any careless way as to endanger

the person or property of another; or (2) while under the influence of alcohol or any controlled

substance. Low speed vehicles shall be manufactured and comply with the standards of the

National Traffic Safety Administration Standards for low speed vehicles as set out in 49 C.F.R.

571.500, as amended.

(g) A low speed vehicle shall only be operated during the hours of 6:00 am through 6:00 pm.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.     

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LC01831/SUB A

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