(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.
Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
Notes of Decisions
Tavares Ex Rel. Guiterrez v. Barbour, 790 A.2d 1110 (R.I. 2002).
· cites it 4× “In Malinowski , we discussed the standard of care that drivers owe to children who are in or near a roadway found in G.L.1956 § 31-14-3 and G.L.1956 § 31-18-8.”
Summit Ins. Co. v. Stricklett, 199 A.3d 523 (R.I. 2019).
· cites it 2× “2d 410 (1971), as well as G.L. 1956 § 31-14-3(a) and G.L. 1956 § 31-18-8, arguing that, because there exists a duty to anticipate that minors might dart into the road, Summit should have known that Mr.”
Malinowski v. United Parcel Serv., Inc., 792 A.2d 50 (R.I. 2002).
· cites it 2× “On remand, we instructed the trial justice to include jury instructions addressing the standard of care that motor vehicle operators owe to children who are in or near a roadway provided by G.L.1956 § 31-14-3 and G.L.1956 § 31-18-8.”
State v. Lutye, 287 A.2d 634 (R.I. 1972).
· cites it 4× “The “more” which is required in order to make certain that which is uncertain, is to advise the operator that the speed at which he was traveling was unreasonable because it was *493 in excess-of the limits designated in §31-14-2 2 , or because he had failed to reduce his speed…”
Malinowski v. United Parcel Serv., Inc., 727 A.2d 194 (R.I. 1999).
· cites it 4× “To determine the standard of care that motor vehicle operators owe to children who are in or near a roadway, evidence may be gleaned from G.L.1956 § 31-14-3 and G.L. 1956 § 31-18-8.”
Pray v. Narragansett Improvement Co., 434 A.2d 923 (R.I. 1981).
“1956 (1968 Reenactment) § 31-14-3: “Another rule of the road that may have application depending upon how you view the evidence * * * is entitled Conditions [Requiring [R]educed [S]peed, and that is 31-14-3 of our General Laws.”
Martino v. Leary, 739 A.2d 1181 (R.I. 1999).
· cites it 2× “For example, plaintiff argued that evidence of negligence could be found insofar as Leary failed to exercise care under the poor weather conditions that prevailed when he approached the intersection, conditions requiring reduced speed under G.L.1956 § 31-14-3. The plaintiff also…”
State v. Brown, 196 A.2d 133 (R.I. 1963).
· cites it 2× “The offense of operating a motor vehicle at an unreasonable speed created in §31-14-1 may result from operation *122 at speeds in excess of the limits set out in §31-14-2 or from failure to reduce the speed of operation when the conditions of hazard exist that are designated in…”
State v. Noble, 186 A.2d 336 (R.I. 1962).
· cites it 5× “1956, §31-14-3. On appeal from a conviction in the district court, the case was tried de novo before a superior court justice, without the intervention of a jury, and resulted in the defendant’s conviction.”
State v. Wheeler, 169 A.2d 7 (R.I. 1961).
“1956, §31-14-3. It was tried before a superior court justice, who, sitting without a jury, found the defendant guilty as charged.”
State v. Campbell, 196 A.2d 131 (R.I. 1963).
“2d 133 , filed this day, that these two sections and also §31-14-3 are to be read together in order to apprise a driver of the legislative standard for determining what is a reasonable and proper speed in the circumstances in which he finds himself.”
State v. Reis, 265 A.2d 651 (R.I. 1970).
· cites it 2× “In §31-14-3, the legislature has declared that a motorist should appropriately reduce his speed when encountering one of the hazards enumerated therein.”
— R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-14-3(a) — 1 case
Summit Ins. Co. v. Stricklett, 199 A.3d 523 (R.I. 2019).
“2d 410 (1971), as well as G.L. 1956 § 31-14-3(a) and G.L. 1956 § 31-18-8, arguing that, because there exists a duty to anticipate that minors might dart into the road, Summit should have known that Mr.”
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