§ 31-22-31. Mobile telephone usage by motor vehicle operators.
(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(1) “Engage in a call” means talking into or listening on a hand-held personal wireless communication device, but does not include holding a hand-held personal wireless communication device to activate, deactivate, or initiate a function of such telephone.
(2) “Hand-held personal wireless communication device” means a personal wireless communication device with which a user engages in a call using at least one hand.
(3) “Hands-free accessory” means an attachment, add-on, built-in feature, or addition to a personal wireless communication device, whether or not permanently installed in a motor vehicle, that, when used, allows the vehicle operator to maintain both hands on the steering wheel.
(4) “Hands-free personal wireless communication device” means a hand-held personal wireless communication device that has an internal feature or function, or that is equipped with an attachment or addition, whether or not permanently part of such hand-held personal wireless communication device, by which a user engages in a call without the use of either hand, whether or not the use of either hand is necessary to activate, deactivate, or initiate a function of such telephone.
(5) “Immediate proximity” means the distance that permits the operator of a hand-held personal wireless communication device to hear telecommunications transmitted over such hand-held personal wireless communication device, but does not require physical contact with such operator’s ear.
(6) “Mobile telephone” means a personal wireless communication device, analog, wireless, or digital telephone capable of sending or receiving telephone communication without an access line for service.
(7) “Public utility” means a business that provides electricity, natural gas, water, and communications and other information services to residential and commercial customers.
(8) “Using” or “use” means holding a hand-held personal wireless communication device to, or in the immediate proximity of, the user’s ear.
(b)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall operate a motor vehicle while using a hand-held personal wireless communication device to engage in a call while such vehicle is in motion.
(2) An operator of a motor vehicle who holds a hand-held personal wireless communication device to, or in the immediate proximity of, the operator’s ear while such vehicle is in motion is presumed to be engaging in a call within the meaning of this section. The presumption established by this subdivision is rebuttable by evidence tending to show that the operator was not engaged in a call.
(3) The provisions of this section shall not be construed as authorizing the seizure or forfeiture of a hand-held personal wireless communication device, unless otherwise provided by law.
(4) Subsection (b)(1) of this section shall not apply to:
(i) The use of a hand-held personal wireless communication device for the sole purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation: an emergency response operator; a hospital, physician’s office or health clinic; an ambulance company; a fire department; a police department; or a public utility; or
(ii) Any of the following persons while in the performance of their official duties and within the scope of their employment: a peace officer, as defined in § 12-7-21, a firefighter or an operator of an ambulance or authorized emergency vehicle, or the operator of a taxi cab, tow truck, or bus without passengers; or employees or agents of a public utility; or
(iii) The use of a hands-free personal wireless communication device.
(c) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (b)(1) of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars ($100); provided, however, until January 1, 2023, the fine shall be suspended for a first-time violator who provides proof of acquisition of a hands-free accessory subsequent to the violation, but prior to the imposition of a fine.
History of Section.P.L. 2017, ch. 167, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 308, § 1; P.L. 2022, ch. 180, § 1, effective June 27, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 181, § 1, effective June 27, 2022.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles
Chapter 31-22 - Miscellaneous Rules
Section 31-22-1. - Unattended vehicles.
Section 31-22-2. - Restrictions on backing.
Section 31-22-3. - Riding on motorcycles.
Section 31-22-3.1. - Riding on motor driven cycles — Passengers prohibited.
Section 31-22-4. - Overloading of vehicles.
Section 31-22-5. - Safety zones.
Section 31-22-6. - Coasting prohibited.
Section 31-22-7. - Following fire apparatus.
Section 31-22-8. - Crossing fire hose.
Section 31-22-9. - Throwing debris on highway — Snow removal.
Section 31-22-10. - Regulation as to school buses.
Section 31-22-10.1. - Insurance for school buses.
Section 31-22-11. - Inspection of school buses.
Section 31-22-11.1. - Enforcement of inspections of school buses.
Section 31-22-11.2. - Maintenance of school buses.
Section 31-22-11.3. - Random inspection of school buses.
Section 31-22-11.4. - School bus drivers pre-trip inspection.
Section 31-22-11.5. - Use of school bus with suspended registration — Penalty.
Section 31-22-11.6. - Childcare vehicles and school extracurricular vehicles.
Section 31-22-11.7. - Unauthorized school bus entry.
Section 31-22-11.8. - Unauthorized use of personal wireless communication devices on a school bus.
Section 31-22-12. - Supervision and inspection of vehicles transporting passengers for hire.
Section 31-22-13. - Abandoned vehicles.
Section 31-22-14. - Towing — Costs paid by owner.
Section 31-22-14.1. - Towing — Accident scene.
Section 31-22-15. - Lien for towing and storage charges.
Section 31-22-16. - Sale to enforce lien.
Section 31-22-17. - Notice of sale.
Section 31-22-18. - Newspaper advertisement of sale.
Section 31-22-19. - House trailers.
Section 31-22-20. - Solicitation on roadways, permit required.
Section 31-22-21.1. - Presence of alcoholic beverages while operating or riding in a motor vehicle.
Section 31-22-22. - Safety belt use — Child restraint.
Section 31-22-22.1. - Child passenger protection — Warnings of hazard and risk.
Section 31-22-23. - Tow trucks — Identification required.
Section 31-22-24. - Interior lights to be operated before dawn and after dusk during police stop.
Section 31-22-25. - Approaching horses.
Section 31-22-26. - Noise in vicinity of horse.
Section 31-22-27. - Severability.
Section 31-22-28. - Transporting animals.
Section 31-22-29. - Inspection of fire apparatus vehicles.
Section 31-22-30. - Text messaging while operating a motor vehicle.
Section 31-22-31. - Mobile telephone usage by motor vehicle operators.