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Rhode Island General Laws Title 31. Motor and Other Vehicles § 31-23-51. Earphones and headsets prohibited

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) No person shall operate a bicycle or motor vehicle upon any highway while wearing earphones, a headset, headphone, or other listening device. Any person who violates this section shall be fined: (1) eighty-five dollars ($85.00) for the first offense, (2) ninety-five dollars ($95.00) for the second offense, and (3) one hundred forty dollars ($140) for the third and each subsequent offense.

(b) This section shall not apply to:

(1) Any emergency vehicle operator using an integrated intercom system;

(2) Any person operating a motorcycle who is using a headset installed in a helmet and worn so as to prevent the speakers from making direct contact with the user's ears so that the user can hear surrounding sounds;

(3) Any person using a headset in conjunction with a cellular telephone that only provides sound through one ear and allows surrounding sounds to be heard with the other ear;

(4) Any person using a headset in conjunction with the communicating with the central base operation that only provides sound through one ear and allows surrounding sounds to be heard with the other ear;

(5) Any person using a hearing aid(s) or instrument for the improvement of hearing.

(c) The department of motor vehicles shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Rhode Island General Laws Title 31. Motor and Other Vehicles § 31-23-51. Earphones and headsets prohibited - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-31-motor-and-other-vehicles/ri-gen-laws-sect-31-23-51/

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