2025 -- H 5444
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LC001087
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
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A N A C T
RELATING TO MOTOR AN D 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 1
Restrictions" is hereby amended to read as follows: 2
31-14-3. Conditions requiring reduced speed. 3
(a) The driver of every vehicle shall, consistent with the requirements of § 31-14-1, drive 4
at an appropriate reduced speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad grade 5
crossing; when approaching and going around a curve; when approaching a hill crest; when 6
traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway; when a special hazard exists with respect to 7
pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions; and in the presence of 8
emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights as provided in § 31-24-31, tow trucks, transporter 9
trucks, highway maintenance equipment displaying flashing lights (while performing maintenance 10
operations), roadside assistance vehicles displaying flashing amber lights while assisting a disabled 11
motor vehicle, and any nonemergency vehicle that is stationary and located on the shoulder or 12
breakdown lane of a roadway or highway. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated 13
in § 31-41.1-4. 14
(b) When an authorized vehicle, as described in subsection (a), is parked or standing within 15
twelve feet (12′) of a roadway and, if required pursuant to subsection (a), is giving a warning signal 16
by appropriate light, the driver of every other approaching vehicle shall, as soon as it is safe, and 17
when not otherwise directed by an individual lawfully directing traffic, do one of the following: 18
(1) Move the vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest the parked or standing 19
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authorized highway maintenance equipment displaying flashing lights (while performing 1
maintenance operations), tow truck, transporter trucks, roadside assistance vehicles, emergency 2
vehicle, or nonemergency vehicle and continue traveling in that lane until safely clear of the 3
authorized highway maintenance equipment displaying flashing lights (while performing 4
maintenance operations), tow truck, transporter trucks, roadside assistance vehicles, emergency 5
vehicle, or nonemergency vehicle. This paragraph applies only if the roadway has at least two (2) 6
lanes for traffic proceeding in the direction of the approaching vehicle and if the approaching 7
vehicle may change lanes safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic; or 8
(2) Slow the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions, and operate the vehicle 9
at a reduced speed until completely past the authorized highway maintenance equipment displaying 10
flashing lights (while performing maintenance operations), tow truck, transporter trucks, roadside 11
assistance vehicle, emergency vehicle, or nonemergency vehicle. This paragraph applies only if the 12
roadway has only one lane for traffic proceeding in the direction of the approaching vehicle or if 13
the approaching vehicle may not change lanes safely and without interfering with any vehicular 14
traffic. For purposes of this section, slowing the vehicle shall mean to a rate of twenty miles per 15
hour (20 mph) under the posted speed limit. 16
Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4. 17
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 18
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHI CLES -- SPEED RESTRICTIONS
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This act would define slowing a vehicle for purposes of the “move over law” (§ 31-14-3) 1
to mean twenty miles per hour (20 mph) under the posted speed limit. 2
This act would take effect upon passage. 3
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