§ 31-15-12.2. Don’t Block the Box.
(a) No operator of a motor vehicle shall proceed into an intersection that has been designated, posted, and marked by a municipality in accordance with subsection (b), except when making a turn, unless there is sufficient space on the opposite side of the intersection to accommodate such motor vehicle without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding the indication of a traffic control signal that would permit such operator to proceed into the intersection.
(b) Any municipality may, by ordinance, designate one or more intersections within that municipality as “Don’t Block the Box” intersections, to which the provisions of subsection (a) shall apply. The municipality shall:
(1) Post “Don’t Block the Box” signs, as designed by the state traffic commission so as to have conformity in all municipalities, at each such designated intersection indicating that blocking the intersection is prohibited and violators are subject to a fine; and
(2) Mark, in white paint, the boundary of such intersection with a line not less than one-foot in width and the area within such boundary line with parallel diagonal lines not less than one-foot in width.
(c) Prior to January 1, 2017, any motorist who violates this subsection shall be issued a verbal warning only; this verbal warning shall only apply to “Don’t Block the Box” intersections as established by subsection (b).
(d) Effective January 1, 2017, any motorist who commits a first violation of this section shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100); a second violation of this section shall be fined two hundred fifty dollars ($250); and for a third and subsequent violation of this section, five hundred dollars ($500).
(e) Any city or town that determines that it has a traffic and safety problem in its community due to violations of this section on state intersections located within its municipality may petition the state traffic commission, created by § 31-13-1, for permission to paint “Don’t Block the Box” lines in accordance with subsection (b).
History of Section.P.L. 2016, ch. 539, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles
Chapter 31-15 - Passing, Use of Lanes, and Rules of the Road
Section 31-15-1. - Right half of road.
Section 31-15-2. - Slow traffic to right.
Section 31-15-3. - Passing of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions.
Section 31-15-4. - Overtaking on left.
Section 31-15-5. - Overtaking on the right.
Section 31-15-6. - Clearance for overtaking.
Section 31-15-7. - Places where overtaking prohibited.
Section 31-15-8. - Posting of no passing zones.
Section 31-15-9. - One way highways.
Section 31-15-10. - Rotary traffic islands.
Section 31-15-11. - Laned roadways.
Section 31-15-12. - Interval between vehicles.
Section 31-15-12.1. - Entering intersections.
Section 31-15-12.2. - Don’t Block the Box.
Section 31-15-13. - Divided highways.
Section 31-15-14. - Entry or leaving of limited-access roadways.
Section 31-15-15. - Designation and posting of controlled-access roadways.
Section 31-15-16. - Use of emergency break-down lane for travel.
Section 31-15-17. - Crossing bicycle lane.
Section 31-15-18. - Unsafe passing of a person operating a bicycle; penalty.
Section 31-15-19. - Two-way left turn lanes.
Section 31-15-20. - Unsafe passing of a vulnerable road user.