Driving Laws: Backing & Obstruction

Limitations on Backing

• Drivers cannot back a vehicle unless it can be done safely and without impeding other traffic.
• Backing onto the shoulder or roadway of a controlled access way is prohibited.
• The fine for violating backing rules is $150.

Obstruction to Driver's View or Riding Mechanism

• A driver cannot operate a vehicle if it's loaded or has too many front seat passengers (more than 3) that obstruct the view or interfere with vehicle control.
• Passengers cannot ride in a position that interferes with the driver's view or control.
• Signs, posters, stickers, or other nontransparent materials cannot obstruct the driver's clear view through the front windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows.
• Aftermarket tinting on the windshield is prohibited.
• Stickers are allowed on a rear window if the vehicle has exterior rearview mirrors on both sides and the stickers are placed so the inside rearview mirror provides a view through the center of the rear window.
• The fine for violating these obstruction rules is $75.

Opening and Closing Vehicle Doors

• A person cannot open a vehicle door on the traffic side unless it's safe and doesn't interfere with traffic.
• Doors on the traffic side cannot be left open longer than necessary for loading or unloading passengers.

Riding in Trailers

• Occupying a house trailer or automobile utility trailer while it is being moved on a public road is prohibited.

Following Fire Apparatus Prohibited

• Vehicles not on official business must maintain a distance of at least 500 feet from fire apparatus responding to an alarm.
• Parking within the block where fire apparatus has stopped for an alarm is prohibited.

Crossing Fire Hose

• Driving over an unprotected fire hose laid down during a fire or alarm is prohibited without the fire department official's consent.

Littering; Penalty

• Placing any waste or refuse in or upon any way, street, public bathing place, public water body or other public place in any city or town is prohibited.
• Depositing household garbage, leaves, clippings, prunings, or gardening refuse in highway or natural and cultural resources litter receptacles is prohibited.
• Any person who drops destructive or injurious materials on any highway must immediately remove them.
• Those removing wrecked or damaged vehicles must remove any glass or injurious substances from the highway.
• Violators who are natural persons are guilty of a violation, and any other person is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Evidence of Littering

• If litter is ejected from a vehicle, it is considered prima facie evidence that the driver committed the violation.

Rules for Carrying Passengers

• Enrollees at summer camps, students, teachers, or employees of colleges and schools when it is for recreational or religious purposes can be transported under the rules adopted by the director.
• Transportation of employees of any town, city, county, state, the federal government, or agency thereof; or employees of the owner of such vehicle when in the course of going to or from their place of employment is allowed.
• Transportation is allowed in a vehicle approved by the director.

Child Passenger Restraints Required

• All occupants younger than 18 years of age must wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat or safety belt.
• Passengers under 18 must be in a vehicle designed with child passenger restraints meeting US Department of Transportation safety standards (49 C.F.R. section 571.213).
• People under 18 years of age must wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat or safety belt when driving a motor vehicle or autocycle.
• Children under 7 years of age must be properly fastened and secured by a child restraint system meeting safety standards (49 C.F.R. section 571.213), unless they are 57 inches or more in height.
• Child restraint systems must be used according to manufacturer's instructions, including height, weight limits, attachment, securement and expiry dates.
• Children under 2 years of age must be properly fastened and secured by a rear facing child restraint system meeting safety standards.
• Exceptions include vehicles regularly used for passenger hire, school buses, vehicles manufactured before 1968, motorcycles, antique motor vehicles, farm tractors, vehicles in authorized parades (at speeds no more than 10 mph), or when there is an individualized education program statement contraindicating the use of restraints.
• Fines for violations: $50 for the first offense, $100 for subsequent offenses.
• A violation of the child restraint law cannot be used as evidence of contributory negligence in a civil action.
• A conviction for violating the child restraint law does not prevent prosecution for other offenses.