§ 31-20-4. Vehicles required to stop at all railroads — Exceptions.
(a) The driver of any motor vehicle carrying passengers for hire, or of any school bus carrying any school child, or of any vehicle carrying explosive substances or flammable liquids as a cargo or part of a cargo, before crossing at grade any track or tracks of a railroad, shall stop the vehicle within fifty feet (50′) but not less than fifteen feet (15′) from the nearest rail of such railroad, and while so stopped, shall listen and look in both directions along the track for any approaching train, and for signals indicating the approach of a train, except as provided in this chapter, and shall not proceed until he or she can do so safely. After stopping as required in this section and upon proceeding when it is safe to do so, the driver of the vehicle shall cross only in a gear of the vehicle that there will be no necessity for changing gears while traversing the crossing, and the driver shall not shift gears while crossing the track or tracks.
(b) No stop need be made at any crossing where a police officer or a traffic control signal directs traffic to proceed.
(c) This section shall not apply at railroad grade crossings within a business or residence district.
History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 31, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 31-20-4.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles
Chapter 31-20 - Special Stops Required
Section 31-20-1. - When railroad crossing stops required of all vehicles.
Section 31-20-2. - Driving through railroad gate or barrier.
Section 31-20-3. - Stop signs at dangerous railroad crossings.
Section 31-20-4. - Vehicles required to stop at all railroads — Exceptions.
Section 31-20-5. - Moving of heavy equipment over railroad crossings.
Section 31-20-6. - Designation of through highways — Erection of stop and yield signs.
Section 31-20-7. - Specifications for stop signs.
Section 31-20-8. - Placement of stop signs.
Section 31-20-9. - Obedience to stop signs.
Section 31-20-10. - Vehicles emerging from alleys, driveways, and buildings.
Section 31-20-10.1, 31-20-10.2. - [Reserved.]
Section 31-20-10.3. - School bus stops — Routes.
Section 31-20-10.4. - Exemption from discharge requirements of § 31-20-10.3.
Section 31-20-11. - Marking of school buses — Penalty for violation.
Section 31-20-11.1. - Signaling of stops for school buses.
Section 31-20-12. - Stopping for school bus required — Penalty for violation.
Section 31-20-12.1. - Repealed.
Section 31-20-13. - School buses stopped on divided highway or in loading zone.
Section 31-20-15. - Posting of bridle path signs.
Section 31-20-16. - Stops at bridle path crossings.
Section 31-20-17. - Stopping for crossing guards and school bus monitors required.
Section 31-20-17.1. - Private complaint — Stopping for crossing guard/bus monitor required.