top of page

The Rhode Island Colin Foote Act

Writer's picture: Brianna C. Repetto, Esq.Brianna C. Repetto, Esq.

What is Rhode Island’s Colin Foote Act?

Not all traffic tickets can be resolved by simply admitting guilt and paying a fine. To prevent and punish habitual traffic offenders from putting others in danger of personal injury, Rhode Island passed the Colin Foote Act in 2010. This Act permits courts to enforce harsher penalties for people who have more than four (4) moving violations on their record within an eighteen-month period.


Moving Violation

A moving violation is essentially any traffic violation that is committed while the motor vehicle is in motion. § 31-27-24(c) provides a list of these violations to include:

  • 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” defined.


It should be noted that pending violations do not count for the purposes of the Act. In other words, only violations you have been found guilty of (either by your own admission or, that the State/prosecution was able to prove by clear and convincing evidence) should count.


Colin Foote Penalties

  • A fine of up to $1,000.00

  • 60 hours of driver retraining classes

  • 60 hours of community service

  • License suspension for up to one (1) year

  • License revocation for up to two (2) years



17 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


© 2023 Repetto Law, LLC. 

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
bottom of page