§ 31-20-1 — § 31-20-1. When railroad crossing stops required of all vehicles.

§ 31-20-1. When railroad crossing stops required of all vehicles.

Whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section the driver of the vehicle shall stop within fifty feet (50′) but not less than fifteen feet (15′) from the nearest rail of the railroad, and shall not proceed until he or she can do so safely. These foregoing requirements shall apply when:

(1) A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a railroad train;

(2) A crossing gate is lowered or when a human flagman gives or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a railroad train;

(3) A railroad train approaching within approximately one thousand five hundred feet (1,500′) of the highway crossing emits a signal audible from that distance, and the railroad train, by reason of its speed or nearness to the crossing, is an immediate hazard;

(4) An approaching railroad train is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to the crossing.

(5) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

Legislative History

P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 31, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 31-20-1; P.L. 2002, ch. 292, § 117.