2010 -- S 2706 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC02238/SUB A

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2010

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A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLES

     Introduced By: Senators Connors, Miller, DaPonte, and DiPalma

     Date Introduced: March 18, 2010

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 31-15 of the General Laws entitled "Passing, Use of Lanes, and

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Rules of the Road" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     31-15-18. Unsafe passing of a person operating a bicycle; penalty. – (a) A driver of a

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motor vehicle commits the offense of unsafe passing of a person operating a bicycle if the driver

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violates any of the following requirements:

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     (1) The driver of a motor vehicle may only pass a person operating a bicycle by driving

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to the left of the bicycle at a safe distance and returning to the lane of travel once the motor

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vehicle is safely clear of the overtaken bicycle. For the purposes of this subdivision, a “safe

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distance” means a distance that is sufficient to prevent contact with the person operating the

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bicycle if the person were to fall into the driver’s lane of traffic. This subdivision does not apply

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to a driver operating a motor vehicle:

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     (i) In a lane that is separate from and adjacent to a designated bicycle lane;

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     (ii) At a speed not greater than fifteen miles per hour (15 mph); or

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     (iii) When the driver is passing a person operating a bicycle on the person’s right side and

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the person operating the bicycle is turning left.

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     (2) The driver of a motor vehicle may drive to the left of the center of a roadway to pass a

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person operating a bicycle proceeding in the same direction only if the roadway to the left of the

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center is unobstructed for a sufficient distance to permit the driver to pass the person operating

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the bicycle safely and avoid interference with oncoming traffic. This subdivision does not

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authorize driving to the left of center of a roadway when prohibited under section 31-15-1 (failure

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to drive on right), section 31-15-3 (passing of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions) or

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section 31-15-13 (divided highway).

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     (b) The driver of a motor vehicle that passes a person operating a bicycle shall return to

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an authorized lane of traffic as soon as practicable.

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     (c) Violations of this section are subject to the fine enumerated in section 31-41.1-4.

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     (d) This section may be cited as "Frank's Law."

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     SECTION 2. Section 31-41.1-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-41.1 entitled

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"Adjudication of Traffic Offenses" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     31-41.1-4. Schedule of violations. -- (a) The penalties for violations of the enumerated

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sections, listed in numerical order, correspond to the fines described. However, those offenses for

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which punishments which may vary according to the severity of the offense, or punishment which

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require the violator to perform a service, shall be heard and decided by the traffic tribunal or

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municipal court. The following violations may be handled administratively through the method

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prescribed in this chapter. This list is not exclusive and jurisdiction may be conferred on the

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traffic tribunal with regard to other violations. VIOLATIONS SCHEDULE

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      VIOLATIONS SCHEDULE

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     8-8.2-2 DOT, DEM, or other agency and department violations $85.00

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24-10-17 Soliciting rides in motor vehicles 85.00

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     24-10-18 Backing up prohibited 85.00

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     24-10-20 Park and ride lots 85.00

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     24-12-37 Nonpayment of toll 100.00

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     31-3-12 Visibility of plates 85.00

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     31-3-18 Display of plates 85.00

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     31-3-32 Driving with expired registration 85.00

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     31-3-34 Failure to notify division of change of address 85.00

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     31-3-35 Notice of change of name 85.00

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     31-3-40 Temporary plates - dealer issued 85.00

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     31-4-3 Temporary registration - twenty (20) day bill of sale 85.00

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     31-10-10 Rules as to armed forces license 85.00

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     31-10-30 Driving on expired license 85.00

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     31-10-32 Notice of change of address 85.00

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     31-10.1-4 No motorcycle helmet (operator) 85.00

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     31-10.1-5 Motorcycle handlebar violation 85.00

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     31-10.1-6 No motorcycle helmet (passenger) 85.00

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     31-10.1-7 Inspection of motorcycle required 85.00

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     31-12-12 Local motor vehicle ordinance 85.00

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     31-13-04 Obedience to devices 85.00

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     31-13-6(3)(i) Eluding traffic light 85.00

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     31-13-09 Flashing signals 85.00

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     31-13-11 Injury to signs or devices 85.00

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     31-14-1 Reasonable and prudent speed 95.00

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     31-14-03 Condition requiring reduced speed 95.00

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     31-14-09 Below minimum speed 95.00

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     31-14-12 Speed limit on bridges and structures 95.00

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     31-15-1 Leaving lane of travel 85.00

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     31-15-2 Slow traffic to right 85.00

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     31-15-3 Operator left of center 85.00

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     31-15-4 Overtaking on left 85.00

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     31-15-5(a) Overtaking on right 85.00

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     31-15-6 C clearance for overtaking 85.00

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     31-15-7 Places where overtaking prohibited 85.00

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     31-15-8 No passing zone 85.00

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     31-15-9 One way highways 85.00

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     31-15-10 Rotary traffic islands 85.00

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     31-15-11 Laned roadway violation 85.00

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     31-15-12 Following too closely 85.00

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     31-15-12.1 Entering intersection 100.00

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     31-15-13 Crossing center section of divided highway 85.00

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     31-15-14 Entering or leaving limited access roadways 85.00

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     31-15-16 Use of emergency break-down lane for travel 85.00

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     31-15-17 Crossing bicycle lane 85.00

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     31-15-18 Unsafe passing of person operating a bicycle 85.00

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     31-16-1 Care in starting from stop 85.00

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     31-16-2 Manner of turning at intersection 85.00

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     31-16-4 U turn where prohibited 85.00

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     31-16-5 Turn signal required 85.00

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     31-16-6 Time of signaling turn 85.00

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     31-16-7 Failure to give stop signal 85.00

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     31-16-8 Method of giving signals 85.00

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     31-16.1-3 Diesel vehicle idling rules

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      first offense not to exceed 100.00

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      second and subsequent offense not to exceed 500.00

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     31-17-1 Failure to yield right of way 85.00

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     31-17-2 Vehicle turning left 85.00

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     31-17-3 Yield right of way (intersection) 85.00

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     31-17-4 Obedience to stop signs 85.00

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     31-17-5 Entering from private road or driveway 85.00

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     31-17-8 Vehicle within right of way, rotary 85.00

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     31-17-9 Yielding to bicycles on bicycle lane 85.00

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     31-18-3 Right of way in crosswalks 85.00

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      first violation $100.00

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      second violation

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      or any subsequent violation

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31-18-5 Crossing other than at crosswalks 85.00

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     31-18-8 Due care by drivers 85.00

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     31-18-12 Hitchhiking 85.00

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     31-18-18 Right of way on sidewalks 85.00

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     31-19-3 Traffic laws applied to bicycles 85.00

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     31-19-20 Sale of new bicycles 85.00

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     31-19-21 Sale of used bicycles 85.00

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     31-19.1-2 Operating motorized bicycle on an interstate highway 85.00

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     31-19.2-2 Operating motorized tricycle on an interstate highway 85.00

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     31-20-1 Failure to stop at railroad crossing 85.00

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     31-20-2 Driving through railroad gate 85.00

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     31-20-9 Obedience to stop sign 85.00

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     31-21-4 Places where parking or stopping prohibited 85.00

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     31-21-14 Opening of vehicle doors 85.00

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     31-22-2 Improper backing up 85.00

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     31-22-4 Overloading vehicle 85.00

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     31-22-5 Violation of safety zone 85.00

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     31-22-6 Coasting 85.00

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     31-22-7 Following fire apparatus 85.00

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     31-22-8 Crossing fire hose 85.00

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     31-22-9 Throwing debris on highway - snow removal 85.00

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     31-22-11.5 Improper use of school bus

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      - not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500)

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      for each day of improper use

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     31-22-22(a) No child restraint 85.00

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     31-22-22(a) Child restraint/seat belt but not in any rear 85.00

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      seating position

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     31-22-22(b), (f) No seat belt - passenger 85.00

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     31-22-22(g) No seat belt - operator 85.00

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     31-22-23 Tow trucks - proper identification 275.00

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     31-22-24 Operation of interior lights 85.00

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     31-23-1(b)(2) U.S. department of transportation motor carrier

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      safety rules and regulations

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      Not less than $85.00

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      or more than $500.00

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     31-23-1(e)(6) Removal of an "out of service vehicle" sticker 125.00

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     31-23-1(e)(7) Operation of an "out of service vehicle" 100.00

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     31-23-2(b) Installation or adjustment of unsafe or (first prohibited

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      parts, equipment, or accessories: offense) 250.00

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      (second offense) 500.00

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      (third and subsequent offenses) 1,000.00

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     31-23-4 Brake equipment required 85.00

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     31-23-8 Horn required 85.00

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     31-23-10 Sirens prohibited 85.00

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     31-23-13 Muffler required 85.00

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     31-23-13.1 Altering height or operating a motor vehicle with an

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      altered height 85.00

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     31-23-14 Prevention of excessive fumes or smoke 85.00

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     31-23-16 Windshield and window stickers (visibility) 85.00

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     31-23-17 Windshield wipers 85.00

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     31-23-19 Metal tires prohibited 85.00

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     31-23-20 Protuberances on tires 85.00

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     31-23-26 Fenders and wheel flaps required 85.00

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     31-23-27 Rear wheel flaps on buses, trucks and trailers 85.00

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31-23-29 Flares or red flag required over

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      four thousand pounds (4,000 lbs.) 85.00

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     31-23-40 Approved types of seat belt requirements 85.00

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     31-23-42.1 Special mirror - school bus 85.00

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     31-23-43 Chocks required (1 pair) - over

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      four thousand pounds (4,000 lbs.) 85.00

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     31-23-45 Tire treads - defective tires 85.00

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     31-23-47 Slow moving emblem required 85.00

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     31-23-49 Transportation of gasoline - passenger vehicle 85.00

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     31-23-51 Operating bike or motor vehicle wearing ear phones 85.00

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      (first offense) 95.00

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      second offense 140.00

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      for the third and each subsequent offense

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     31-24-1 Times when lights required 85.00

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      through 31-24-54

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     31-25-03 Maximum width of one hundred

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      and two inches (102") exceeded 85.00

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     31-25-04 Maximum height of one hundred sixty-two inches

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      (162") exceeded 85.00

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     31-25-06 Maximum number and length of coupled vehicles 500.00

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     31-25-07 Load extending three feet (3') front, six feet

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      (6') rear exceeded 85.00

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     31-25-9 Leaking load 85.00

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     31-25-11 Connections between coupled vehicles 85.00

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     31-25-12 Towing chain, twelve inch (12") square flag required 85.00

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     31-25-12.1 Tow truck - use of lanes (first offense) 85.00

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      second offense 95.00

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      for the third and each subsequent offense 100.00

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     31-25-14(d)(1) Maximum weight and tandem axles 125.00

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     31-25-14(d)(2) Maximum weight and tandem axles 125.00

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     31-25-14(d)(3) Maximum weight and tandem axles 125.00

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     31-25-16(c)(2) Maximum weight shown in registration 85.00

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      (per ) thousand lbs. overweight or portion thereof.

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     31-25-16(c)(3) Maximum weight shown in registration 125.00

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      per thousand lbs. overweight or portion thereof.

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     31-25-16(c)(4) Maximum weight shown in registration (1,025.00 )

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      plus per thousand pounds overweight or portion thereof. $125.00

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     31-25-17 Identification of trucks and truck-tractors

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      (first offense) 85.00

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      (second offense) 95.00

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      for the third and subsequent offenses 125.00

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     31-25-24 Carrying and inspection of excess load limit 175.00

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     31-25-27(c) Maximum axle 3,000.00

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      (first offense) not to exceed 5,000.00

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      for each and every subsequent offense

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     31-25-30 Maximum axle Pawtucket River Bridge and Sakonnet

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      River Bridge (first offense) 3,000.00

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      not to exceed 5,000.00

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      for each and every subsequent offense

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     31-27-2.3 Refusal to take preliminary breath test 85.00

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     31-28-7(d) Wrongful use of handicapped parking placard 500.00

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     31-28-7(f) Handicapped parking space violation:

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      First offense 100.00

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      Second offense 175.00

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      Third offense and subsequent offenses 325.00

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     31-28-7.1(e) Wrongful use of institutional handicapped parking placard 125.00

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     31-33-2 Failure to file accident report 85.00

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     31-36.1-17 No fuel tax stamp (out-of-state) 85.00

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      and not exceeding ($100)

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      for subsequent offense

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     31-38-3 No inspection sticker 85.00

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     31-38-4 Violation of inspection laws 85.00

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     31-47.2-06 Heavy-duty vehicle emission inspections:

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      First offense 125.00

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      Second offense 525.00

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      Third and subsequent offenses 1,025.00

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      37-15-7 Littering not less than 55.00

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      not more than five hundred dollars ($500)

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      39-12-26 Public carriers violation 300.00

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      SPEEDING Fine

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      (A) One to ten miles per hour (1-10 mph)

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      in excess of posted speed limit $ 95.00

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      (B) Eleven miles per hour (11 mph) in excess

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      of posted speed limit with a fine of ten dollars ($10.00)

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per mile in excess of speed limit shall be assessed 205.00

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      minimum

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      (b) In addition to any other penalties provided by law, a judge may impose the following

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penalties for speeding:

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      (1) For speeds up to and including ten miles per hour (10 mph) over the posted speed

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limit on public highways, a fine as provided for in subsection (a) of this section for the first

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offense, ten dollars ($10.00) per mile for each mile in excess of the speed limit for the second

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offense if within twelve (12) months of the first offense, and fifteen dollars ($15.00) per mile for

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each mile in excess of the speed limit for the third and any subsequent offense if within twelve

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(12) months of the first offense. In addition, the license may be suspended up to thirty (30) days.

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      (2) For speeds in excess of ten miles per hour (10 mph) over the posted speed limit on

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public highways, a mandatory fine of ten dollars ($10.00) for each mile over the speed limit for

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the first offense, fifteen dollars ($15.00) per mile for each mile in excess of the speed limit for the

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second offense if within twelve (12) months of the first offense, and twenty dollars ($20.00) per

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mile for each mile in excess of the speed limit for the third and subsequent offense if within

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twelve (12) months of the first offense. In addition, the license may be suspended up to sixty (60)

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days.

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      (c) Any person charged with a violation who pays the fine administratively pursuant to

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chapter 8.2 of title 8 shall not be subject to any additional costs or assessments, including, but not

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limited to, the hearing fee established in section 8-18-4 or assessment for substance abuse

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prevention.

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     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02238/SUB A

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLES

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     This act would provide for a violation and penalty with respect to unsafe passing of a

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person operating a bicycle.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC02238/SUB A

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