Rhode Island: Cheat Sheet

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Road signs

The manual's sign charts label a white square sign with a red circle and slash over a black letter P as "No Parking".
The manual's sign charts label a round yellow sign with a black X and the letters R R as "Railroad Crossing Ahead".
The warning sign for a roundabout is yellow and diamond-shaped, with a circle of arrows pointing away from the circle to show the exits.
The manual's sign charts label two panels with black and yellow diagonal stripes as "Object Markers (bridges)".
The manual's sign charts label a yellow diamond sign with a black car and curving skid marks as "Slippery When Wet".
The manual's sign charts label a green rectangular sign reading NEXT EXIT 9 MILES as "Exit Ahead".
The manual's sign charts label a blue square sign with a white telephone handset and the word Phone as "Telephone".
The manual's sign charts label a yellow diamond sign with a black arrow bending to the left as "Left Curve".

Sign shapes and colors

The manual describes the railroad crossing ahead sign (RR) as a circular yellow sign.

Traffic signals

A steady yellow light tells the driver that a red light is next.
During the pedestrian walk interval the beacon shows a steady red.
The manual says to be in the turning lane well in advance, give your signal and turn without interfering with other traffic.
You must stop before reaching the crosswalk and wait until the light is green, unless another light such as a green arrow directs otherwise.
A flashing yellow arrow, sometimes used for left turns, permits the turn only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
With a red arrow you must stop and may not go in the arrow's direction.

Right-of-way and turning

The manual says never to travel over the posted speed to pass a vehicle.
The manual says to make certain you can see clearly 500 feet in each direction.
A driver turning right on red must first give way to all oncoming traffic and to pedestrians.
A motorist navigating a roundabout should slow down to the posted speed.
When approaching uncontrolled intersections, motorists must treat them as if a yield sign were there.
The manual says to begin straightening the wheel at about the halfway point of the turn.
Bicyclists going straight on your right or behind you may be in your path when you turn right.

Alcohol and drugs

Drivers under the influence of marijuana need longer visual adjustments to headlight glare.
A second DWI under 18 brings a license suspension until age 21.
Under R.I.G.L. 3-8-9 such a driver can have the license suspended or the right to drive denied for up to thirty days.
BAC depends on how much you drank, your weight, food eaten, time spent drinking and how fast your body processes alcohol.
A first DUI at age 21 or older lists up to 1 year in prison.
The manual advises asking your doctor about any side effects that relate to driving.

Speed and following distance

Oil, rubber, dirt and water combine to make the road especially slippery at the start of a rain.
The Predict step is judging where points of conflict could arise before they happen.
Lane position 1, the middle of the lane, is the safest when there are no potential hazards on either side.
The speed limit is the maximum for ideal conditions, so drivers must adjust their speed to the conditions.
You should change lanes or allow the driver to pass you.
The manual says to always reduce speed and use extra caution when children are nearby, especially in school zones.
You should not wait until you come upon the hazard; reduce speed right away and stop if necessary.

Licensing basics

First-time applicants must make an online reservation to take the computerized knowledge exam.
The manual says you can renew your license up to 90 days before it expires.
A Learner Provisional License holder cannot drive alone between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.
A full license carries no restrictions on time of driving or supervision, though all other rules of the road still apply.
The final word states that driving is a privilege and not a right.

Signals and vehicle controls

The law names driving out of a parking space as a time to signal, along with at least 100 feet before a turn.
The manual warns that sensors key to advanced safety systems can be blocked and shut down, so you should check them for obstructions.
The manual says a driver of a standard shift should be able to drive up the hill without rolling back.
Head lamps must allow a choice between distributions of light projected to different elevations, such as high and low beams.

Pavement markings

Drivers must not enter the shared turn lane unless they intend to turn within 100 feet.
One purpose of shared lane markings is to reduce the incidence of wrong-way bicycling.
The manual shows a divided roadway delineated by a median strip, jersey barrier, guard rail and similar barriers.
The manual defines the fog line as the white line on the right side of most roadways.

Freeway driving

Deceleration lanes let motorists who are leaving the freeway slow down to the speed of the exit ramp.
The manual says to stop and rest when drowsy, because drowsy driving is a major cause of serious collisions.
Freeways have higher speed limits and minimal traffic control, which makes travel between cities faster.

Parking rules

The manual says not to park or stop within 30 feet of those lights or a stop sign.
After signaling, you enter the driving lane closest to the parking space.
The manual pairs the blue wheelchair symbol, on pavement and on signs, with disabled parking with a permit only.
The manual says to maneuver to a position from which you can re-enter the traffic lane in one motion.

Railroad crossings

The manual says never to assume a train cannot be present, even on tracks that look abandoned.
The manual says to get yourself and your passengers out of the vehicle, off the tracks and as far away as possible.

Pedestrians

Elderly pedestrians may not notice traffic dangers, may move at a slower pace and may react more slowly.
The manual says pedestrians who are visually impaired may use a white cane or a guide dog.
On arriving, pedestrians should look left in search of oncoming vehicles and bicycles.

Sharing the road

The manual lists heavy shoes or boots as protection for the operator's feet.
Airflow between you and the truck can pull the vehicles toward each other unless you are on guard.
The manual says no more than two bicycles may be ridden side by side.
Slowing by downshifting or easing off the throttle does not activate the brake light, so allow more following distance.
The manual says to use the horn sparingly, because short taps seem less aggressive than one long blast.

Seat belts and child safety

The manual says some drivers may need to move the seat back to keep a safety zone from a deployed airbag.
A 'no' to any of the questions means the child needs a booster seat.
A primary law means an officer can stop you just because someone in the vehicle is not buckled.

Distractions, drowsiness and emotions

The manual says to use a roadside area with security, or else get as far off the highway as possible.
The message says a good driver does not text and drive and does not check messages on an electronic device while driving.
The manual calls this inattention. Distraction, by contrast, happens when a situation, event or person pulls the driver's focus away from driving.
Most emotional upsets are temporary, so waiting for the emotion to fade helps you drive safely and courteously.

Emergencies and collisions

If the intersection is clear you accelerate; if your path is not clear, the manual says to turn right.
The manual says it can occur anytime but is most likely in cold weather with the windows closed.
For vehicles with conventional brakes, the manual says to pump the brakes very gently and keep a proper speed for the road conditions.
The violations list labels failing to stop after a collision with personal injury or death a felony.

Emergency vehicles, police stops and work zones

The manual says not to follow the officer to the patrol car unless asked to do so.
Drivers should follow directions from officers and flaggers and not change lanes within the work zone.

Insurance and registration

The manual says all persons driving on the state’s public roads must carry liability insurance.

License suspension

A suspended driver cannot legally drive in Rhode Island or any other state for any reason.