2026 -- S 2718 | |
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LC005374 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- ADJUDICATION OF TRAFFIC | |
OFFENSES | |
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Introduced By: Senators Famiglietti, Raptakis, Thompson, Appollonio, Dimitri, Urso, | |
Date Introduced: February 27, 2026 | |
Referred To: Senate Judiciary | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Section 31-41.1-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-41.1 entitled |
2 | "Adjudication of Traffic Offenses" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
3 | 31-41.1-4. Schedule of violations. |
4 | (a) The penalties for violations of the enumerated sections, listed in numerical order, |
5 | correspond to the fines described. However, those offenses for which punishments may vary |
6 | according to the severity of the offense, or punishment that requires the violator to perform a |
7 | service, shall be heard and decided by the traffic tribunal or municipal court. The following |
8 | violations may be handled administratively through the method prescribed in this chapter. This list |
9 | is not exclusive and jurisdiction may be conferred on the traffic tribunal with regard to other |
10 | violations. |
11 | Section of General Laws Total Fine |
12 | 8-8.2-2 DOT, DEM, or other agency and department violations $100.00 |
13 | 24-10-17 Soliciting rides in motor vehicles 100.00 |
14 | 24-10-18 Backing up prohibited 100.00 |
15 | 24-10-19 Advertising motor vehicle for sale on state highways 100.00 |
16 | 24-10-20 Park and ride lots 100.00 |
17 | 24-12-37 Nonpayment of toll 100.00 |
18 | 31-3-12 Visibility of plates 100.00 |
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1 | 31-3-18 Display of plates 100.00 |
2 | 31-3-32 Driving with expired registration 100.00 |
3 | 31-3-34 Failure to notify division of change of address 100.00 |
4 | 31-3-35 Notice of change of name 100.00 |
5 | 31-3-40 Temporary plates — dealer issued 100.00 |
6 | 31-4-3 Temporary registration — twenty-day (20) bill of sale 100.00 |
7 | 31-10-10 Rules as to armed forces license 100.00 |
8 | 31-10-30 Driving on expired license 100.00 |
9 | 31-10-32 Notice of change of address 100.00 |
10 | 31-10.1-4 No motorcycle helmet (operator) 100.00 |
11 | 31-10.1-5 Motorcycle handlebar violation 100.00 |
12 | 31-10.1-6 No motorcycle helmet (passenger) 100.00 |
13 | 31-10.1-7 Inspection of motorcycle required 100.00 |
14 | 31-12-12 Local motor vehicle ordinance 100.00 |
15 | 31-13-4 Obedience to devices 100.00 |
16 | 31-13-6(3)(i) Eluding traffic light 100.00 |
17 | 31-13-9 Flashing signals 100.00 |
18 | 31-13-11 Injury to signs or devices 100.00 |
19 | 31-14-1 Reasonable and prudent speed 95.00170.00 |
20 | 31-14-3 Condition requiring reduced speed 95.00 |
21 | 31-14-9 Below minimum speed 95.00 |
22 | 31-14-12 Speed limit on bridges and structures 95.00 |
23 | 31-15-1 Leaving lane of travel 100.00 |
24 | 31-15-2 Slow traffic to right 100.00 |
25 | 31-15-3 Operator left of center 100.00 |
26 | 31-15-4 Overtaking on left 100.00 |
27 | 31-15-5(a) Overtaking on right 100.00 |
28 | 31-15-6 Clearance for overtaking 100.00 |
29 | 31-15-7 Places where overtaking prohibited 100.00 |
30 | 31-15-8 No passing zone 100.00 |
31 | 31-15-9 One way highways 100.00 |
32 | 31-15-10 Rotary traffic islands 100.00 |
33 | 31-15-11 Laned roadway violation 100.00 |
34 | 31-15-12 Following too closely 100.00 |
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1 | 31-15-12.1 Entering intersection 100.00 |
2 | 31-15-13 Crossing center section of divided highway 100.00 |
3 | 31-15-14 Entering or leaving limited access roadways 100.00 |
4 | 31-15-16 Use of emergency break-down lane for travel 100.00 |
5 | 31-15-17 Crossing bicycle lane 100.00 |
6 | 31-15-18 Unsafe passing of person operating a bicycle 100.00 |
7 | 31-16-1 Care in starting from stop 100.00 |
8 | 31-16-2 Manner of turning at intersection 100.00 |
9 | 31-16-4 U turn where prohibited 100.00 |
10 | 31-16-5 Turn signal required 100.00 |
11 | 31-16-6 Time of signaling turn 100.00 |
12 | 31-16-7 Failure to give stop signal 100.00 |
13 | 31-16-8 Method of giving signals 100.00 |
14 | 31-16.1-3 Diesel vehicle idling rules |
15 | first offense not to exceed 100.00 |
16 | second and subsequent offense not to exceed 500.00 |
17 | 31-17-1 Failure to yield right of way 100.00 |
18 | 31-17-2 Vehicle turning left 100.00 |
19 | 31-17-3 Yield right of way (intersection) 100.00 |
20 | 31-17-4 Obedience to stop signs 100.00 |
21 | 31-17-5 Entering from private road or driveway 100.00 |
22 | 31-17-8 Vehicle within right of way, rotary 100.00 |
23 | 31-17-9 Yielding to bicycles on bicycle lane 100.00 |
24 | 31-18-3 Right of way in crosswalks |
25 | first violation 100.00 |
26 | second violation or any subsequent violation 100.00 |
27 | 31-18-5 Crossing other than at crosswalks 100.00 |
28 | 31-18-8 Due care by drivers 100.00 |
29 | 31-18-12 Hitchhiking 100.00 |
30 | 31-18-18 Right of way on sidewalks 100.00 |
31 | 31-19-3 Traffic laws applied to bicycles 100.00 |
32 | 31-19-20 Sale of new bicycles 100.00 |
33 | 31-19-21 Sale of used bicycles 100.00 |
34 | 31-19.1-2 Operating motorized bicycle on an interstate highway 100.00 |
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1 | 31-19.2-2 Operating motorized tricycle on an interstate highway 100.00 |
2 | 31-20-1 Failure to stop at railroad crossing 100.00 |
3 | 31-20-2 Driving through railroad gate 100.00 |
4 | 31-20-9 Obedience to stop sign 100.00 |
5 | 31-21-4 Places where parking or stopping prohibited 100.00 |
6 | 31-21-14 Opening of vehicle doors 100.00 |
7 | 31-21-18 Electric vehicle charging station restriction 100.00 |
8 | 31-22-2 Improper backing up 100.00 |
9 | 31-22-4 Overloading vehicle 100.00 |
10 | 31-22-5 Violation of safety zone 100.00 |
11 | 31-22-6 Coasting 100.00 |
12 | 31-22-7 Following fire apparatus 100.00 |
13 | 31-22-8 Crossing fire hose 100.00 |
14 | 31-22-9 Throwing debris on highway — snow removal 100.00 |
15 | 31-22-11.5 Improper use of school bus — not to exceed five hundred dollars |
16 | ($500) for each day of improper use |
17 | 31-22-22(a) No child restraint 100.00 |
18 | 31-22-22(a) Child restraint/seat belt but not in any rear seating position 100.00 |
19 | 31-22-22(b), (f) No seat belt — passenger 40.00 |
20 | 31-22-22(g) No seat belt — operator 40.00 |
21 | 31-22-23 Tow trucks — proper identification 275.00 |
22 | 31-22-24 Operation of interior lights 100.00 |
23 | 31-23-1(b)(2) U.S. department of transportation motor carrier safety rules and |
24 | regulations Not less than $100.00 or more than $500.00 |
25 | 31-23-1(e)(6) Removal of an “out of service vehicle” sticker 125.00 |
26 | 31-23-1(e)(7) Operation of an “out of service vehicle” 100.00 |
27 | 31-23-2(b) Installation or adjustment of unsafe or prohibited parts, |
28 | equipment, or accessories: |
29 | (first offense) 250.00 |
30 | (second offense) 500.00 |
31 | (third and subsequent offenses) 1,000.00 |
32 | 31-23-4 Brake equipment required 100.00 |
33 | 31-23-8 Horn required 100.00 |
34 | 31-23-10 Sirens prohibited 100.00 |
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1 | 31-23-13 Muffler required 100.00 |
2 | 31-23-13.1 Altering height or operating a motor vehicle with an altered |
3 | height 100.00 |
4 | 31-23-14 Prevention of excessive fumes or smoke 100.00 |
5 | 31-23-16 Windshield and window stickers (visibility) 100.00 |
6 | 31-23-17 Windshield wipers 100.00 |
7 | 31-23-19 Metal tires prohibited 100.00 |
8 | 31-23-20 Protuberances on tires 100.00 |
9 | 31-23-26 Fenders and wheel flaps required 100.00 |
10 | 31-23-27 Rear wheel flaps on buses, trucks, and trailers 100.00 |
11 | 31-23-29 Flares or red flag required over four thousand pounds (4,000 lbs.) 100.00 |
12 | 31-23-40 Approved types of seat belt requirements 100.00 |
13 | 31-23-42.1 Special mirror — school bus 100.00 |
14 | 31-23-43 Chocks required (1 pair) — over four thousand pounds (4,000 lbs.) 100.00 |
15 | 31-23-45 Tire treads — defective tires 100.00 |
16 | 31-23-47 Slow moving emblem required 100.00 |
17 | 31-23-49 Transportation of gasoline — passenger vehicle 100.00 |
18 | 31-23-51 Operating bike or motor vehicle wearing ear phones |
19 | (first offense) 100.00 |
20 | second offense 110.00 |
21 | for the third and each subsequent offense 140.00 |
22 | 31-24-1 through |
23 | 31-24-54 Times when lights required 100.00 |
24 | 31-25-9 Leaking load 100.00 |
25 | 31-25-11 Connections between coupled vehicles 100.00 |
26 | 31-25-12 Towing chain, twelve-inch (12″) square flag required 100.00 |
27 | 31-25-12.1 Tow truck — use of lanes |
28 | (first offense) 100.00 |
29 | second offense 110.00 |
30 | for the third and each subsequent offense 140.00 |
31 | 31-25-17 Identification of trucks and truck-tractors |
32 | (first offense) 100.00 |
33 | (second offense) 110.00 |
34 | for the third and subsequent offenses 140.00 |
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1 | 31-25-24 Carrying and inspection of excess load limit 350.00 |
2 | 31-27-2.3 Refusal to take preliminary breath test 100.00 |
3 | 31-28-7(d) Wrongful use of handicapped parking placard 500.00 |
4 | 31-28-7(f) Handicapped parking space violation: |
5 | First offense 100.00 |
6 | Second offense 175.00 |
7 | Third offense and subsequent offenses 325.00 |
8 | 31-28-7.1(e) Wrongful use of institutional handicapped parking placard 125.00 |
9 | 31-33-2 Failure to file accident report 100.00 |
10 | 31-34-2 Proof of insurance — motor vehicle rental 100.00 |
11 | 31-34-3 Operation by person other than lessee 100.00 |
12 | 31-36.1-17 No fuel tax stamp (out-of-state) 85.00 and not exceeding |
13 | ($100) for subsequent offense |
14 | 31-38-3 No inspection sticker 100.00 |
15 | 31-38-4 Violation of inspection laws 100.00 |
16 | 31-41.3-15 Automated school zone speed enforcement system 50.00 |
17 | 31-47.2-6 Heavy-duty vehicle emission inspections: |
18 | First offense 125.00 |
19 | Second offense 525.00 |
20 | Third and subsequent offenses 1,025.00 |
21 | 37-15-7 Littering not less than 55.00, not more than five hundred dollars |
22 | ($500) |
23 | 39-12-26 Public carriers violation 300.00 |
24 | SPEEDING Fine |
25 | (A) One to ten miles per hour (1-10 m.p.h.) in excess of posted speed limit $ 95.00 |
26 | (B) Eleven miles per hour (11 m.p.h.) in excess of posted speed limit with a fine of ten |
27 | dollars ($10.00) per mile in excess of speed limit shall be assessed. 205.00 minimum |
28 | (C)(I) Any violation of subsection (A) of this section in a residential or school zone shall |
29 | be subject to a fine of one hundred seventy-five dollars ($175); |
30 | (II) Any violation of subsection (B) of this section in a residential or school zone shall be |
31 | subject to a fine of four hundred dollars ($400). |
32 | (b) In addition to any other penalties provided by law, a judge may impose the following |
33 | penalties for speeding: |
34 | (1) For speeds up to and including ten miles per hour (10 m.p.h.) over the posted speed |
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1 | limit on public highways, a fine as provided for in subsection (a) of this section for the first offense; |
2 | ten dollars ($10.00) per mile for each mile in excess of the speed limit for the second offense if |
3 | within twelve (12) months of the first offense; and fifteen dollars ($15.00) per mile for each mile |
4 | in excess of the speed limit for the third and any subsequent offense if within twelve (12) months |
5 | of the first offense. In addition, the license may be suspended up to thirty (30) days. |
6 | (2) For speeds in excess of ten miles per hour (10 m.p.h.) over the posted speed limit on |
7 | public highways, a mandatory fine of ten dollars ($10.00) for each mile over the speed limit for the |
8 | first offense; fifteen dollars ($15.00) per mile for each mile in excess of the speed limit for the |
9 | second offense if within twelve (12) months of the first offense; and twenty dollars ($20.00) per |
10 | mile for each mile in excess of the speed limit for the third and subsequent offense if within twelve |
11 | (12) months of the first offense. In addition, the license may be suspended up to sixty (60) days. |
12 | (c) Except for a technology surcharge assessed in accordance with § 8-15-11, any person |
13 | charged with a violation who pays the fine administratively pursuant to this chapter shall not be |
14 | subject to any additional costs or assessments, including, but not limited to, the hearing fee |
15 | established in § 8-18-4. |
16 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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LC005374 | |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- ADJUDICATION OF TRAFFIC | |
OFFENSES | |
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1 | This act would increase the fine for speeding, one to ten miles per hour (1-10 mph) in |
2 | excess of posted speed limit in a residential or school zone to one hundred seventy five dollars |
3 | ($175). It would increase the fine to four hundred dollars ($400) for speed in excess of eleven miles |
4 | per hour (11 mph) in a residential or school zone. |
5 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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LC005374 | |
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