§ 31-23-1. Driving of unsafe vehicle — Disobedience of requirements — Inspections of motor carriers — Fines. (a) It is a civil violation for any person to drive or move, or for the owner, employer or employee to cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved, on any highway any vehicle or combination of […]
§ 31-23-10. Sirens, bells, and whistles prohibited. No vehicle shall be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a vehicle any siren, whistle, or bell, except as permitted in §§ 31-23-9, 31-23-11 and 31-23-12. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4. History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 34, […]
§ 31-23-11. Warning devices on emergency vehicles. Any authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell, capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred feet (500′) and of a type approved by the registry. The siren shall not be used except when […]
§ 31-23-11.1. Warning lights on private vehicles. (a) A joint committee for volunteer permits, three (3) of whom shall be appointed by the president of the Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs and two (2) of whom shall be appointed by the president of the Rhode Island Association of Police Chiefs, shall take responsibility for […]
§ 31-23-12. Salvation Army vehicle. The motor vehicle equipment (station wagon) of the Salvation Army, with headquarters located in Providence, Rhode Island, is declared to be an authorized emergency vehicle and may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell as provided in § 31-23-11. History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 34, § 32; […]
§ 31-23-13. Muffler. Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke. No person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway. Any exhaust system shall be […]
§ 31-23-13.1. Altering height of or operating a motor vehicle with an altered height prohibited. No person shall alter the height of or operate a motor vehicle with an altered height that has an original manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of up to and including ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.), by elevating or lowering the […]
§ 31-23-14. Prevention of excessive fumes or smoke. The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4. History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 34, § 33; […]
§ 31-23-14.1. Fire extinguishers. Every truck operated, owned, or leased by the state of Rhode Island or a political subdivision of the state shall be equipped with a fire extinguisher. The fire extinguisher shall contain a potassium bicarbonate base dry chemical fire extinguishing agent having an underwriter’s laboratory rating of six (6) B:C, and a […]
§ 31-23-15. Rear-view mirror. (a) Every motor vehicle which is so constructed or loaded as to obstruct the driver’s view to the rear of it from the driver’s position shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two […]
§ 31-23-16. Windshield and window stickers — Obstructions to clear view — Snow and ice on vehicle. (a) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material, or dirt, snow, or ice upon the front windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows of the vehicle which obstructs the […]
§ 31-23-17. Windshield wipers. (a) The windshield on every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield, which device shall be so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle. (b) Every windshield wiper upon a motor vehicle shall be […]
§ 31-23-18. Solid rubber tires. Every solid rubber tire on a vehicle shall have rubber on its entire traction surface at least one inch thick above the edge of the flange of the entire periphery. History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 34, § 36; G.L. 1956, § 31-23-18.
§ 31-23-19. Metal tires prohibited. No person shall operate or move on any highway any motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer having any metal tire in contact with the roadway. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4. History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 34, § 36; G.L. 1956, § 31-23-19; […]
§ 31-23-2. Additional parts and accessories. (a) Nothing contained in this chapter or chapter 24 of this title shall be construed to prohibit the use of additional parts and accessories on any vehicle not inconsistent with the provisions of these chapters. (b) No person shall install or adjust any equipment, part, or accessory on a […]
§ 31-23-20. Protuberances on tires. No tires on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, flange, cleat, or pointed spike or other protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire except that: (1) It shall be permissible to […]
§ 31-23-21. Permits for operation of vehicles having tracks with transverse corrugations. The department of revenue and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may in their discretion issue special permits authorizing the operation upon a highway of traction engines or tractors having movable tracks with transverse corrugations upon the periphery of the movable tracks or […]
§ 31-23-22. Safety glass in new vehicles. (a) No person shall sell any new motor vehicle as specified in this section, nor shall any new motor vehicle as specified in this section be registered, unless the vehicle is equipped with safety glass of a type approved by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles […]
§ 31-23-23. Replacement with safety glass. No person shall replace any glass on any motor vehicle at a place where safety glass is required unless the replacement is made with safety glass approved by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles. History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 34, § 37; G.L. 1956, § […]
§ 31-23-24. “Safety glass” defined. “Safety glass” means any product composed of glass manufactured, fabricated, or treated as substantially to prevent shattering and flying of the glass when struck or broken, or any other or similar product that may be approved by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles. History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. […]
