Chapter 539

2016 -- H 7240 SUBSTITUTE A Enacted 09/09/2016

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- INTERSECTION VIOLATIONS

Introduced By: Representatives Lima, Keable, Casey, and Morin

Date Introduced: January 20, 2016

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

31-15-12.2. Don't Block the Box. – (a) No operator of a motor vehicle shall proceed into

an intersection that has been designated, posted, and marked by a municipality in accordance with

subsection (b) of this section, except when making a turn, unless there is sufficient space on the

opposite side of the intersection to accommodate such motor vehicle without obstructing the

passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding the indication of a traffic control signal

that would permit such operator to proceed into the intersection.

(b) Any municipality may, by ordinance, designate one or more intersections within that

municipality as "Don't Block the Box" intersections, to which the provisions of subsection (a) shall

apply. The municipality shall:

(1) Post "Don't Block the Box" signs, as designed by the state traffic commission so as to

have conformity in all municipalities, at each such designated intersection indicating that blocking

the intersection is prohibited and violators are subject to a fine; and

(2) Mark, in white paint, the boundary of such intersection with a line not less than one-

foot in width and the area within such boundary line with parallel diagonal lines not less than one-

foot in width.

(c) Prior to January 1, 2017, any motorist who violates this subsection shall be issued a

verbal warning only; this verbal warning shall only apply to "Don’t' Block the Box" intersections

as established by subsection (b).

(d) Effective January 1, 2017, any motorist who commits a first violation of this section

shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100); a second violation of this section shall be fined two

hundred fifty dollars ($250); and for a third and subsequent violation of this section, five hundred

dollars ($500).

(e) Any city or town that determines that it has a traffic and safety problem in its community

due to violations of this section on state intersections located within its municipality may petition

the state traffic commission, created by §31-13-1, for permission to paint "Don't Block the Box"

lines in accordance with subsection (b) above.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC004438/SUB A/2

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