Highway Safety

The DOT's Office on Highway Safety is part of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, and conducts the state's Highway Safety efforts. The DOT OHS works with law enforcement agencies throughout the State to enhance enforcement of highway safety laws.

Dan DiBiasio, Administrator
DOT's Office on Highway Safety
401- 222-3260 Ext. 4098

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

Rhode Island is serious about drunk driving. Throughout the year, RIDOT coordinates with State and local police for special patrols to crack down on drinking and driving. The most recent enforcement period was from December 16, 2011 through January 2, 2012.

• View current press release
• View Providence Journal editorial cartoon about drunk driving

Wet Lab Training

RIDOT worked with the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety Municipal Police Training Academy to offer the media a glimpse inside what happens when a drug or alcohol impaired driver gets pulled over by a police officer in Rhode Island. This "wet lab" is part of Advanced Roadside Impaired Driver Enforcement Training. Click here to learn more.

Rhode Island Highway Safety Performance Plan

The Rhode Island Highway Safety Performance Plan serves as the State of Rhode Island’s application for Federal funds for highway safety programs. The goals for the RIDOT Office on Highway Safety are described in the plan, along with performance measures, and strategies related to the program areas.

Room to Live: Click it, Don't risk it

WPRI Channel 12 aired this video on November 24, 2009 to illustrate the importance of seat belts and how they saved the life of the occupants of a series crash.

New Primary Seat Belt Law

Rhode Island has a new primary seat belt law which went into effect on June 30, 2011. Previously, Rhode Island had a secondary law, which only allowed law enforcement officers to cite motorists for not buckling up if they had been pulled over for another reason. More than 30 states have primary seatbelt laws, including Maine and Connecticut. Since Connecticut changed its law from a secondary to a primary offense, the state reports it has experienced its highest level of safety belt compliance.

• Read the press release announcing passage of the law and its signature by Governor Chafee
• View the House bill
• View the Senate bill

Child Passenger Safety Law

• Children under age eight (8) years old, less than fifty-seven (57) inches (4 feet, 9 inches) tall and weighing less that 80 lbs. (max weight limit of a booster seat) must be transported in any rear seating position of a motor vehicle and properly restrained in a child restraint system.
• Children between the ages of 8 through 12 as a passenger in any seating position shall be properly wearing a safety belt.
• Click here for more information

Click It or Ticket

Award-winning Highway Safety video and audio Public Services Announcements, created by Rhode Island High School students, Spring 2008.

RIDOT & Motorcycle Safety

RIDOT's efforts to promote safe motorcycling include public service commercials.

Have you seen the new billboards promoting motorcycle awareness and safety?

View the most recent commercial here.

View RIDOT's first motorcycle commercial from 2007.

Bike Safety Day 2011

The RIDOT Office on Highway Safety, Governor Chafee and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management welcomed nearly 800 youngsters to Bike Safety Day on August 1, 2011.

• View a slideshow of images from the event.

• View the press release about the event.

---

Child restraints — when and how

• Necessary steps in child restraint equipment
• Proper Child Safety Seat Chart
• Checklist for buying a used child safety seat (for printing).
• Rhode Island Child Restraint and Seat Belt Laws
• Safety Quick Check for Booster Seat or Seat Belt
• Should your child be in a Booster Seat? The 5-step test
• Child Passenger Safety Technicians in Rhode Island
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• Pregnant? Protecting yourself and your unborn baby

Mission: Safety 2010

The State of Rhode Island Department of Transportation had the distinct honor of hosting the MISSION: SAFETY 2010 conference, in conjunction with FHWA and NHTSA, on September 19-22, 2010.

The conference was the first of its kind and brought together engineering and behavior modification specialists from all over the country to discuss the common goal: to reduce fatalities and injuries on our highways.

All conference presentations are listed here. Feel free to contact MISSION: SAFETY 2010 Conference Coordinator Despina Metakos at dmetakos@dot.ri.gov or 401-222-3024 Ext. 4096 with any questions.