Chapter 050
2023 -- S 0088 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 06/12/2023

A N   A C T
RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SPEED RESTRICTIONS

Introduced By: Senators Tikoian, F. Lombardi, Raptakis, Felag, Britto, and Ciccone

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.;
     (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.
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LC001047/SUB A
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