TITLE 31

Motor and Other vehicles

CHAPTER 31-14

Speed Restrictions

SECTION 31-14-12.1



   § 31-14-12.1  Special speed limits in

highway construction and maintenance operations. –

(a) Whenever the department of transportation or local governing unit with

jurisdiction over the highways determines that the preexisting established

speed limit through a highway construction or maintenance operation is greater

than is reasonable or safe with respect to the conditions expected to exist in

that operation, it may, on highways under its respective jurisdiction,

determine and declare reasonable and safe absolute maximum temporary speed

limits applicable through all or part of the operation. A temporary speed limit

so determined and declared shall become effective and shall suspend the

applicability of any other speed limit prescribed in this chapter when

appropriate signs of the design prescribed by the department giving notice of

the limits are erected at or along the operation. When these signs are erected,

the total of fines, penalties, and costs assessed upon conviction shall be

twice the amount otherwise set by the general laws.



   (b) When street, highway or bridge construction, or a

maintenance operation is present, the department of transportation or local

governing unit with jurisdiction over the street or highway shall erect signs

declaring that the fine for a conviction of a traffic violation, as defined by

§ 31-41.1-4, through the "temporary traffic control zone" shall be

doubled. When these signs are erected, the total of the fines, penalties, and

costs assessed upon conviction shall be twice the amount otherwise set by the

general laws. The prescribed legend for the signs shall be established by the

department of transportation.



   (c) For the purposes of this section, "temporary traffic

control zone" means that portion of a bridge, street, or highway that is

identified by official traffic-control devices. The zone includes the entire

section of roadway between the first advance warning sign through the last

traffic control device, where traffic returns to its normal path and

conditions. This zone shall exist throughout the duration of the construction

or maintenance operation or as long as the signs remain.



History of Section.

(P.L. 1996, ch. 206, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 98, § 14; P.L. 2008, ch.

145, § 14.)