The Colin B. Foote Act
Multiple Driving Infractions in Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, being convicted of multiple driving infractions may lead to enhanced penalties pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 31-27-24, otherwise known as the Colin B. Foote Act. In accordance with the Act, "Every person convicted of moving violations on four (4) separate and distinct occasions within an eighteen (18) month period may be fined up to one thousand dollars ($1,000), and shall be ordered to attend sixty (60) hours of driver retraining, shall be ordered to perform sixty (60) hours of public community service, and the person's operators license in this state may be suspended up to one year or revoked by the court for a period of up to two (2) years."
The moving violations that are subject to this law are as follows:
- 31-13-4. Obedience to devices.
- 31-14-1. Reasonable and prudent speeds.
- 31-14-2. Prima facie limits.
- 31-14-3. Conditions requiring reduced speeds.
- 31-15-5. Overtaking on the right.
- 31-15-11. Laned roadways.
- 31-15-12. Interval between vehicles.
- 31-15-16. Use of emergency break-down lane for travel.
- 31-17-4. Vehicle entering stop or yield intersection.
- 31-20-9. Obedience to stop signs.
- 31-27.1-3. Aggressive driving.
The Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal has interpreted this statute to require that the eighteen month period be measured from the date of the first conviction to the date of the fourth conviction. Therefore, should all four convictions not take place within an eighteen month period, the enhanced penalties called for under the Colin B. Foote Act shall not apply.
Contact an Experienced Rhode Island Traffic Attorney
Should you receive a traffic violation that you cannot pay by mail, but must appear in court, you may be subject to the enhanced penalties of the Colin B. Foote Act. Contact Attorney Christopher E. Friel for advice and representation in the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal at (401) 737-4200 x23.
