ARTICLE X. - VEHICLE CONDITION AND EQUIPMENT
Part of the Code of Ordinances of Central Falls, RI.
The text
DIVISION 1. - GENERALLY#
Sec. 36-571. - Overloading of vehicles.#
No person shall drive a vehicle when it is so loaded, or when there are in the front seat such number of persons, exceeding three, as to interfere with the driver's control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.
(Code 1973, § 16-9-16; Code 1994, § 38-96)
Sec. 36-572. - Obstructions to driver's view.#
Except as otherwise authorized by law, no person shall drive any motor vehicle or conveyance with any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material, dirt, snow or ice upon the front windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows of such vehicle, which obstructs the driver's view of the highway or intersecting highway. No person shall drive any motor vehicle or conveyance with any significant amounts of snow, ice or sleet upon such vehicle; the term "significant" shall be construed as meaning any amount of accumulation which might reasonably be expected, when blowing off the vehicle when driving, to obscure the vision of the operator of another vehicle; provided, however, that the natural accumulation of snow while driving during adverse weather conditions shall not constitute a violation of this section.
(Code 1973, § 16-9-18; Code 1994, § 38-97)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 31-23-16.
Sec. 36-573. - Prevention of excessive fumes and/or smoke.#
The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle or conveyance shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes and/or smoke.
(Code 1973, § 16-9-19; Code 1994, § 38-98)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 31-23-14.
Sec. 36-574. - Mufflers.#
Every motor vehicle or conveyance 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 or conveyance on a highway. Any exhaust system shall be deemed defective if any changes, modifications, alterations, deletions, or adjustments have been made which would thereby cause any exhaust system to generate a higher or louder sound level than would be generated by the exhaust system customarily installed by the manufacturer as original equipment. Any such defective exhaust system shall be replaced or repaired to restore such exhaust system to the performance specifications of the original equipment.
(Code 1973, § 16-9-20; Code 1994, § 38-99)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 31-23-13.
Sec. 36-575. - Rearview mirror.#
Every motor vehicle or conveyance which is so constructed or loaded as to obstruct the driver's view to the rear thereof from the driver's position shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver's view of the highway, for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle or conveyance. Every motor vehicle or conveyance, the primary function of which is the carrying of passengers, shall be equipped with a rearview mirror on the left door or fender, so located as to reflect a view of the roadway, street or highway for at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle.
(Code 1973, § 16-9-21; Code 1994, § 38-100)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 31-23-15.
Secs. 36-576—36-598. - Reserved.#
DIVISION 2. - LIGHTS#
Sec. 36-599. - Time when lights required.#
Every motor vehicle or conveyance upon a roadway, street or highway of the city at any time from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, and at any time when there is not sufficient light or visibility because of rain or any other conditions to clearly see persons and vehicles upon the highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead, shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as hereinafter respectively required for different classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles as stated in this article.
(Code 1973, § 16-9-24; Code 1994, § 38-103)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 31-24-1.
Sec. 36-600. - Display of lighted lamps.#
At all times specified in G.L. 1956, § 31-24-1, at least two lighted lamps shall be displayed, one on each side of the front of every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 31-24-4.
Sec. 36-601. - Taillights.#
Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer, and any other vehicle or conveyance which is being drawn at the end of a train of vehicles, shall be equipped with at least one tail lamp mounted on the rear, which when lighted as required, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear; provided, that in the case of a train of vehicles, only the tail lamp on the rear-most vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified.
(Code 1973, § 16-9-26; Code 1994, § 38-105)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 31-24-7.
Sec. 36-602. - Illumination of rear registration plate.#
Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate, with a white light, the rear registration plate of a vehicle and render it clearly legible from a distance of 60 feet to the rear. Any tail lamp used for illuminating the rear registration plate shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the headlamps of auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.
(Code 1973, § 16-9-27; Code 1994, § 38-106)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 31-24-9.
Sec. 36-603. - Interior light to be operated after dark during police stop.#
The operator of any motor vehicle or conveyance upon a roadway, street or highway of the city, upon the stopping of such vehicle by any police officer shall, at any time from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, display and operate such vehicle's interior lights until such time as such officer allows such vehicle to continue in its operation.
(Code 1973, § 16-9-23; Code 1994, § 38-102)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 31-22-24.