Road-rule mix: Stopping, parking and doors

Outside a business or residential district, you want to stop briefly to consult directions. A safe, practical stopping place is available off the paved or main traveled part of the highway. Where should you stop?

Correct answer: Off the paved or main traveled part rather than leaving the car in the travel path.

Outside a business or residence district, a driver must not stop, stand or park on the paved or main traveled part when it is practical to stop off that part. Attending the car or making a brief stop does not remove that restriction.

Source: Rhode Island General Laws §31-21-1, Stopping on traveled portion of open highway prohibited, first paragraph; official operative HTML text read October 1, 2026. ↗

For a voluntary stop on an open highway outside a business or residential district, the rule requires leaving unobstructed width for traffic. What clear view of the stopped car must also be available?

Correct answer: A clear view from 200 feet in each direction along the highway.

The provision requires both free passage and visibility of the stopped vehicle from 200 feet in each direction. Satisfying only one of these conditions is not enough.

Source: Rhode Island General Laws §31-21-1, Second paragraph, unobstructed width and 200-foot view in each direction; official operative HTML text read October 1, 2026. ↗

You are at a place where a passenger pickup is otherwise lawful. Where should you position your car to let the passenger get in?

Correct answer: As close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

The passenger-loading rule directs the driver to admit or discharge passengers as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or road edge. This does not create permission to stop at an otherwise prohibited place.

Source: Rhode Island General Laws §31-21-6, Admission or discharge of passengers, operative paragraph; official operative HTML text read October 1, 2026. ↗

You are parked beside a bicycle lane and want to open the door into that space. A cyclist is approaching. What must you do?

Correct answer: Wait until opening the door is reasonably safe and will not interfere with the cyclist.

Door opening must be reasonably safe and must not interfere with moving traffic. The law explicitly includes bicycles and pedestrians on bicycle lanes, shoulders and sidewalks.

Source: Rhode Island General Laws §31-21-14, Opening vehicle doors, first paragraph; official operative HTML text read October 1, 2026. ↗

Your passenger has finished getting out, but you want to leave the door open on the side exposed to moving traffic while you sort items inside. What does the door rule require?

Correct answer: Do not leave it open longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.

The statute regulates both safe opening and how long a traffic-exposed door remains open. Once the passenger-loading need ends, that door must not remain open unnecessarily.

Source: Rhode Island General Laws §31-21-14, Opening vehicle doors, second paragraph; official operative HTML text read October 1, 2026. ↗