In Rhode Island law, the term recreational vehicle refers to any off-road machine « designed to travel on unimproved terrain and has been deemed unfit for traffic on public highways by the Department of Motor Vehicles and not suitable for registration for such use. » In practice, this term covers everything from traditional ATVs to ATVs and side-by-side, off-road motorcycles, mini-bikes, etc. – basically any vehicle designed for off-road use. Anything that fits the description of an RV cannot be registered as a vehicle homologated for the highway through Rhode Island DMV. In Rhode Island, it is illegal to drive an off-highway vehicle on public roads, highways, highways, highways, highways, shoulders, exterior slopes, center benches, or the right-of-way of a road. The only exceptions are special events and emergency conditions when snow makes car trips inconvenient. Hunters, farm workers and government officials may also be eligible for limited use of roads. Driving an PHEV on the road in other circumstances can result in fines, fines and seizures. « Don`t come to Providence, don`t ride your ATVs on our roads, and if you do, there will be consequences, » Mayor Jorge Elorza said Thursday. During operation under these exemptions, PHEVs may cross Rhode Island public highways if the intersection occurs at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the roadway in an obstacle-free location, after coming to a complete stop and giving in to traffic.
Shared highways can only be crossed at an intersection with another public highway or thoroughfare. The front and rear lights must be switched on during level crossings between 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise and with limited visibility. Drivers under the age of 16 cannot drive an ORV on public roads, and drivers between the ages of 16 and 18 must have a valid driver`s license to do so. Councillor Helen Anthony said the problem of atVs and off-road bicycles on the streets of the city « was an absolute disaster ». Last year, a Cranston officer was attacked while attempting to detain two drivers, and in another separate incident, another officer was beaten and injured by a group of drivers. In Providence, officers seized 13 illegal SUVs and arrested five drivers who led officers on a chase through the city. The Providence Police Department has been continually vigilant in its efforts to report violations to people driving illegal vehicles on city streets, and an ordinance passed by the Providence City Council in May allows police to confiscate those vehicles now. The regulation also focuses on the police issuing subpoenas for vehicles that are not properly registered and do not have proper turn signals or lighting. « The statistics speak for themselves, this initiative works. Through the combined efforts of the Providence City Council, Administration and Police Department, we are cracking down on these illegally operated ATVs and all-terrain motorcycles that put our residents at risk and affect the quality of life in our city, » said Councillor Michael Correia. « These vehicles are not intended for city streets and we will not tolerate their presence.
I encourage all city dwellers to report sightings and storage locations for these illegally operated and unregistered ATVs and off-road motorcycles, and together we will end this city-wide outbreak. To report the location or operation of an illegal recreational vehicle, please contact the Providence Police Service`s non-emergency number at (401) 272-3121. You can cross a highway or highway with an ATV or UTV in the following circumstances: In recent years, the police have enforced a municipal ordinance that allows them to confiscate and destroy illegally mounted all-terrain motorcycles and ATVs. EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – East Providence is the latest city to seek to curb the illegal use of SUVs such as ATVs and off-road motorcycles. « The use of off-road motorcycles and ATVs on our roads is illegal and poses a serious danger, » said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. « We have seized dozens of vehicles and we will not tolerate their use on the streets of Providence.
I salute the Providence Police Department for their diligent work and for making our neighborhoods safer. Elorza said in a statement to GoLocal: « After several meetings with members of the off-road motorcycle and ATV community, my public safety leaders and I decided to pursue state legislation that would solve some of the challenges we face. As currently operated, ATVs and other illegal vehicles pose a danger to those who drive them, as well as to other drivers and residents. « We are happy to help you obtain road approval, but only knowing that driving a UTV on Rhode Island public roads is at the discretion of the operator, regardless of how and where it is recorded. Lol In Rhode Island, you are only allowed to cross the road with your ATV. However, people under the age of 16 do not have permission to do so. You can ride your ATV on the road in weather conditions that are considered impassable by ordinary vehicles. Residents can report the location or use of illegal bicycles by calling Providence police at (401) 680-8288. « We got the speed thresholds at India Point quickly, but it`s a pervasive problem. It`s something we need to be more aggressive about, » he said.
Off-road motorcycles and ATVs should not be on our roads. This is a big problem – we need to be more proactive. We do not want what we have seen over the past few summers to happen again this summer. It is miserable and we must react accordingly. « I`ve received letters from people who have been pushed off their bikes onto Blackstone Boulevard. I don`t think ATVs should be allowed on the road – I would never help them get around on the road. I could explore the idea of a park where they could go [but] they would have to tow them, » Anthony said. Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Paré, Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., City Councilman Jo-Ann Ryan and other police officers and city officials gathered today for a press conference related to the recently introduced City Ordinance, which directs members of the Providence Police Department to crack down on the illegal use of recreational vehicles on the streets of Providence. Illegal vehicles have been linked to serious criminal incidents over the past year, including drivers who violently assaulted a woman.
« I am pleased to have sponsored new legislation and an ATV Task Force passed by council that has successfully eliminated illegal off-road motorcycles and ATVs from city streets, » said Councillor Ryan. « Driving these vehicles within the city limits is dangerous and threatening to our neighborhoods, and I applaud the increased efforts of the Providence Police Department to limit their presence. It`s a team effort. I look forward to continuing to work with voters, council, police and administration to find even more tools that can be used to address this issue. Providence and Cranston officials have also taken steps to keep ATVs off city streets. It violates the laws of driving an ATV on public land, a road, a highway or a road. You can`t ride an ATV in the floodplains or marshes of Blackstone Valley (also known as the Valley Marshes). Driving an ATV in this area is punishable by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $500, or to imprisonment for 60 days or both. While researching this guide, we found many cases where PHEVs that were not registered as legal on the road were seized for driving on public roads in Rhode Island. Some news has shown that Rhode Island law enforcement has encouraged the public to report any vehicle that appears to be driven illegally — in other words, anything that appears to belong to the road.
« As we enter the fall and winter months, the police service is warning those driving these vehicles illegally that our efforts will continue, » said Commissioner Paré. « We also want to remind parents that these vehicles are actually illegal and will not be tolerated by the police. » Continuing our series of articles analyzing atV laws in each state that emerged from this article, this article examines ATV laws in Rhode Island. It should also be noted that although I am a lawyer, I am not your lawyer and I do not give legal advice. If you have any questions, you should consult a local lawyer. While driving a legal UTV on the road in Rhode Island may not be a good idea, there are other times when legal registration on the road would be helpful.