The text
Sec. 74-1. - Definitions.#
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Vehicle means and includes, but is not limited to, any self-propelled vehicle such as a minibike, scooter, motorcycle, charter bus, go-cart, whether propelled by gasoline, electricity, wind or other source of energy.
(Code 1986, § 19-1; Ch. 1041, § 1, 8-21-2017)
Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.
Sec. 74-2. - Traffic regulations.#
All traffic regulations for specific streets adopted by the council are on file in the town clerk's office.
(Code 1986, § 19-3)
Sec. 74-3. - Authority of police department to collect fines.#
Pursuant to the authority granted to the town by G.L. 1956, § 12-14-4, the police department is hereby designated as the department authorized to collect the fines set forth in section 74-4, if the offender decides to dispose of the charge without a personal appearance in the town municipal court. This section shall only be applicable to those offenders who, within seven days from the date of a notification to appear in municipal court to answer the charge, appear before the police department, admit the truth of such charge and pay the amount of the fine as set forth in section 74-4. A failure to appear within the seven-day period set forth in this section shall be deemed a waiver of the right to dispose of such charge without a personal appearance in the municipal court. The payment of the fine as set forth in section 74-4 shall operate as a final disposition of the charges, and such proceeding shall not be deemed to be criminal in nature.
(Code 1986, § 19-4)
Cross reference— Police department, § 38-21 et seq.
State Law reference— Payment of traffic fines in the town, G.L. 1956, § 12-14-4; administrative payment of certain traffic offenses, G.L. 1956, § 31-41-1 et seq.
Sec. 74-4. - Schedule of parking fines.#
(a)
All parking violations shall be fined in accordance with the following schedule:
(1)
Overtime parking .....$ 50.00
(2)
Parking in a prohibited area .....50.00
(3)
Double parking .....50.00
(4)
Parking on sidewalk .....50.00
(5)
Parking to obstruct highway or loading zone .....50.00
(6)
Standing in prohibited area .....50.00
(7)
Parking within 25 feet of an intersection .....50.00
(8)
Parking left wheels to curb .....50.00
(9)
Parking within 15 feet of a hydrant .....50.00
(10)
Parking within a fire lane .....50.00
(11)
Parking in excess of one foot, but less than three feet, from the curb .....50.00
(12)
Parking in violation of winter parking ban .....50.00
(13)
Parking in a tow-away zone .....75.00
(14)
Parking in handicapped space: .....
a.
First offense .....100.00
b.
Second offense .....175.00
c.
Third offense .....325.00
(15)
Other parking violations .....50.00
(b)
If any fine imposed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall remain unpaid 15 days after the issuance of the ticket, then the amount of the fine due to the town shall be two times the amount of the fine initially imposed.
(c)
If any fine imposed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall remain unpaid 30 days after the issuance of the ticket, then the amount of the fine due to the town shall be four times the amount of the fine initially imposed.
(Code 1986, § 19-5; Ch. 829, § 1, 2-3-2003; Ch. 877, § 1, 6-19-2006; Ch. 1079, § 1, 10-19-2020)
State Law reference— Establishment of fines for violation of traffic regulations, G.L. 1956, § 12-14-4.
Sec. 74-5. - Permission required for operation on certain property.#
No vehicle shall be operated on any private or public property within the town, except for properly licensed vehicles operating upon a highway in accordance with state law, without the prior written consent of the owner of the property. In respect to school property, the school committee, and in respect to all other town property, the town council shall each give such approval and make such designation, if any.
(Ch. 287, § 1, 9-22-1975; Code 1986, § 19-2)
Sec. 74-6. - Traffic control devices.#
(a)
Obedience to traffic control devices.
(1)
No pedestrian or driver of a vehicle shall disobey the instructions of any traffic control device placed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
(2)
No provision of this chapter for which signs are required may be enforced if at the time and place of the alleged violation an official sign is not in approximately proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person.
(3)
Whenever official traffic control devices are placed in positions approximately conforming to this chapter, the devices are presumed to have been placed by the official act or direction of lawful authority, unless the contrary is established by competent evidence.
(4)
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of an offense and shall be punishable by a penalty not to exceed $500.00.
(b)
Interference with traffic control devices. No person shall alter, deface, injure, damage, destroy, relocate, move, or remove any official traffic control device at any time. No unauthorized vehicle shall park in front of or otherwise impede official access to a barricade, barrier, or other traffic control device.
(c)
Unauthorized signs, signals, or markings. No person shall place, maintain, or display upon or in view of any person upon any sign, signal, marking, or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official parking sign, or traffic control device or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic control device if such sign, signal, marking, or device has not been authorized by the town council. All such unauthorized traffic control devices, signs, signals, or markings are declared to be a public nuisance, and the director of public works or the director's designee is hereby empowered to remove the same or cause it to be removed without notice.
(d)
Emergency traffic control devices. The town manager or his designee, in the case of an emergency, when in his/her opinion it is necessary to protect the public health, safety, or welfare, may erect or install or cause to be erected or installed traffic control devices which he/she deems necessary in order to control traffic during the emergency. The traffic control devices authorized by this section shall include the right to close or limit access to public highways within the Town of Narragansett during the emergency.
(Ch. 996, § 1, 2-18-2014)