Title 31
Motor and Other Vehicles

Chapter 25
Size, Weight, and Load Limits

R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-25-27.12

§ 31-25-27.12. Commercial vehicles prohibited on Chases Lane in Middletown.

(a) The operation of commercial vehicles is prohibited on Chases Lane in Middletown.

(b) For purposes of this section, a “commercial vehicle” is defined as a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles used to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle:

(1) Has a gross combination weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds (26,001 lbs.) or more, or a towed unit with a gross vehicle rating of more than ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.) or more, or has a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds (26,001 lbs.) or more; or

(2) Is designed to transport sixteen (16) or more passengers including the driver; or

(3) Is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be placarded in accordance with 49 C.F.R. Part 172, Subpart F, as it may be revised from time to time.

(c) Nothing contained in this section shall affect the use of Chases Lane by:

(1) Any fire truck, town public works department truck, police vehicle, ambulance, school bus, bus serving the area, or other motor truck using such streets or highways in any emergency or engaged in delivering public utilities, goods, wares, merchandising, or materials to or from any residence, residential building, or residential lot within the town bordering on such street; provided further, that the use of Chases Lane for the delivery of goods, wares, merchandising, or materials to or from any commercial business or building, or any commercial lot within the town bordering on such street is specifically prohibited; or

(2) Any farm vehicle as defined in § 31-1-8, which is registered with farm vehicle plates pursuant to § 31-3-31.

(d) In all instances where motor vehicle traffic is restricted or prohibited under this section, the town administrator is directed to cause signs to be erected on such streets or highways giving notice of such, in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

(e) Any driver who operates a commercial vehicle in violation of this section shall be subject to a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for a first violation, fifty dollars ($50.00) for a second violation, and not less than one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125), but no more than five hundred dollars ($500) for each subsequent violation.

History of Section.
P.L. 2022, ch. 19, § 1, effective May 11, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 21, § 1, effective May 11, 2022.