| Chapter 049 |
| 2023 -- H 5294 SUBSTITUTE A Enacted 06/12/2023 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SPEED RESTRICTIONS |
Introduced By: Representatives Hull, J. Lombardi, Tanzi, Felix, Newberry, Slater, McNamara, and Bennett |
| Date Introduced: February 01, 2023 |
| It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
| SECTION 1. Section 31-14-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-14 entitled "Speed |
| Restrictions" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
| 31-14-3. Conditions requiring reduced speed. |
| (a) The driver of every vehicle shall, consistent with the requirements of § 31-14-1, drive |
| at an appropriate, reduced speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad grade |
| crossing; when approaching and going around a curve; when approaching a hill crest; when |
| traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway; when a special hazard exists with respect to |
| pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions; and in the presence of |
| emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights as provided in § 31-24-31, tow trucks, transporter |
| trucks, highway maintenance equipment displaying flashing lights (while performing maintenance |
| operations), and roadside assistance vehicles displaying flashing amber lights while assisting a |
| disabled motor vehicle, and any nonemergency vehicle that is stationary and located on the shoulder |
| or breakdown lane of a roadway or highway. Violations of this section are subject to fines |
| enumerated in § 31-41.1-4. |
| (b) When an authorized vehicle, as described in subsection (a), is parked or standing within |
| twelve feet (12′) of a roadway and, if required pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, is giving a |
| warning signal by appropriate light, the driver of every other approaching vehicle shall, as soon as |
| it is safe, and when not otherwise directed by an individual lawfully directing traffic, do one of the |
| following: |
| (1) Move the vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest the parked or standing |
| authorized highway maintenance equipment displaying flashing lights (while performing |
| maintenance operations) or, tow truck, transporter trucks, roadside assistance vehicles, emergency |
| vehicle, or nonemergency vehicle and continue traveling in that lane until safely clear of the |
| authorized highway maintenance equipment displaying flashing lights (while performing |
| maintenance operations) or, tow truck, transporter trucks, roadside assistance vehicles, emergency |
| vehicle, or non emergency nonemergency vehicle. This paragraph applies only if the roadway has |
| at least two (2) lanes for traffic proceeding in the direction of the approaching vehicle and if the |
| approaching vehicle may change lanes safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.; |
| or |
| (2) Slow the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions, and operate the vehicle |
| at a reduced speed until completely past the authorized highway maintenance equipment displaying |
| flashing lights (while performing maintenance operations) or, tow truck, transporter trucks, |
| roadside assistance vehicle, emergency vehicle, or nonemergency vehicle. This paragraph applies |
| only if the roadway has only one lane for traffic proceeding in the direction of the approaching |
| vehicle or if the approaching vehicle may not change lanes safely and without interfering with any |
| vehicular traffic. |
| Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4. |
| SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
| ======== |
| LC000817/SUB A |
| ======== |