2025 -- H 5444

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LC001087

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SPEED RESTRICTIONS

     Introduced By: Representatives Nardone, Santucci, Quattrocchi, Noret, Read,
Chippendale, Marszalkowski, and Hull

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2025

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     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), 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), 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), 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), tow truck, transporter trucks, roadside assistance vehicles, emergency

vehicle, or 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), 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. For purposes of this section, slowing the vehicle shall mean to a rate of twenty miles per

hour (20 mph) under the posted speed limit.

     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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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SPEED RESTRICTIONS

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     This act would define slowing a vehicle for purposes of the “move over law” (§ 31-14-3)

to mean twenty miles per hour (20 mph) under the posted speed limit.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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