The text
Sec. 11-44. - U-turns.#
It shall be unlawful for the operator of a vehicle to turn such vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction unless such movement can be made in safety and without interfering with other traffic.
(Code 1970, § 11-31; Comp. Ords., ch. 42, § 32)
Sec. 11-45. - Unnecessary vehicle noise.#
It shall be unlawful for any person to so operate any automobile, motorcycle or other motorized vehicle on any highway, street, gangway, court, square, private parking lot, public parking lot, or any other public place in any part of the town in such a manner as to cause or create unnecessary noise by causing the spinning of wheels of any such vehicle so operated on the pavement or to cause or to create unnecessary noise by reason of a defective or altered exhaust system on such vehicle. Unnecessary noise shall be any noise other than that usually occasioned by the reasonable and normal operation of any such automobile, motorcycle, or other motorized vehicle.
(Code 1970, § 11-32; Ord. of 7-30-1968, § 1)
Sec. 11-46. - Duty to give way to vehicle about to load or unload.#
The operator of any parked vehicle shall promptly give place to a vehicle about to take on or let off passengers or to load or deliver merchandise in accordance with the provisions hereof.
(Code 1970, § 11-33; Comp. Ords., ch. 42, § 33)
Sec. 11-47. - Motor vehicle restricted routes.#
(a)
The use of any commercial vehicle, herein defined as a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles to transport passengers or property, is prohibited in and upon the streets and highways listed in subsection (b) of this section, as the same shall from time to time be amended, at any time, if the motor vehicle:
(1)
Has:
a.
A combination gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more;
b.
A towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more; or
c.
A gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more;
(2)
Is designed to transport 21 or more passengers including the driver; or
(3)
Is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be placarded in accordance with 49 CFR part 172, subpart F, as it may be revised from time to time.
(b)
The chief of police is directed to cause conspicuous signs to be placed on such following streets or highways giving notice of such prohibition:
Border Street.
Branch Avenue
Campbell Street.
Church Street.
Clyde Street.
Cochran Street.
Coit Avenue.
Crossen Street between Main Street and Brookside Avenue
Danby Street
Earl Street.
East Greenwich Avenue.
Factory Street.
Gough Avenue.
Grandview Drive.
Greenbush Road.
Harris Avenue.
Harding Street.
Highland Avenue.
Lockwood Street.
Maple Avenue.
New London Avenue, from Route 117 (Legris Avenue) to Main Street.
Newlight St.
Pawtuxet Terrace.
Prospect Hill Avenue.
Pulaski Street.
Robinson Way.
St. Mary Street.
Sunrise Avenue.
Wakefield Street.
Wilson Street.
Woodside Avenue.
Youngs Avenue.
(c)
Nothing contained herein shall affect the use of such streets or highways by any fire trucks, city public works department vehicles, police vehicles, emergency vehicles, school or public transportation buses or other vehicles using such streets or highways in any emergency or engaged in delivering goods, wares, merchandise or materials to or from any residence, building or lot within the town bordering on such streets or highways.
(d)
Violations hereof shall be punishable in the town municipal court by a fine not in excess of $500.00 for each violation.
(e)
In accordance with the provisions of G.L. 1956, § 31-13-4, Obedience to Devices, the police department shall issue violations to offenders of said section by using secondary roads as a divergent route around a proposed toll location.
(Code 1970, § 11-34; Ord. No. 2016-8, 9-6-2016; Ord. No. 2017-2711-21-17; Ord. No. 2019-14, 11-19-2019; Ord. No. 2021-3, 3-16-2021; Ord. No. 2021-11, 9-21-2021; Ord. No. 2021-14, 10-5-2021; Ord. No. 2024-7, 7-9-2024; Ord. No. 2025-1, 3-4-2025; Ord. No. 2025-3, 6-17-2025; Ord. No. 2025-10, 10-21-2025)
Sec. 11-48. - Driving through funeral processions.#
It shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to drive between or attempt to cut across the line of a hearse and the other vehicles and pedestrians constituting a funeral procession.
(Code 1970, § 11-35; Comp. Ords., ch. 42, § 34)
Sec. 11-49. - Reasonable and prudent speeds.#
No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. In every event, speed shall be so controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements, and it shall be the duty of all persons to use due care.
(Code 1970, § 11-37; Res. of 9-27-1988)
Sec. 11-50. - Conditions requiring reduced speed.#
The driver of every vehicle shall, consistent with the requirements of section 11-49, 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, and when a special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions.
(Code 1970, § 11-38; Res. of 9-27-1988)
Sec. 11-51. - Riding recreational vehicles on private property.#
(a)
No person shall ride, drive, or otherwise use an off-road motor vehicle, motorcycle, dirt bike, mini-bike, go-cart, ATV, snowmobile, or like recreational vehicle on private property, whether posted or not, without permission of the owner of such property. An exception shall be provided for all such vehicles if used by police, fire, or any other emergency service agencies in furtherance of their official duties.
(b)
Operators of such vehicles must have written permission from the landowner on their persons while in operation. Failure to have such written permission shall be prima facie evidence of not having permission from the property owner.
(c)
Violations will be processed through the town municipal court. Each violation of this section shall be subject to a $250.00 fine, and the violator may further be sentenced to perform community service. In addition to all fines and sanctions, the town municipal court may impose court costs.
(Code 1970, § 11-39; Ord. No. 2004-8, 6-17-2004)
Sec. 11-52. - Low speed vehicles.#
The operation of low-speed vehicles, as defined in 49 CFR 571-500, having been determined, as provided in RIGL §31-19.6-1, to be an unreasonable risk of death or serious injury to occupants of low-speed vehicles as a result of general traffic conditions is hereby prohibited from operation on the following roadways: East Greenwich Avenue.
Fairview Avenue.
Greenbush Road.
New London Avenue.
New London Turnpike.
Pulaski Street.
Wakefield Street.
(Ord. No. 2024-14, 9-3-2024)
Sec. 11-53. - Penalties for violations.#
Any person who operates a low-speed vehicle in violation of this ordinance shall be subject to fine of $100.00 per offense.
(Ord. No. 2024-19, 10-15-2024)