Rhode Island Hikes Wrong-Way Driving Fine From $85 To $500

The fine for driving the wrong way on a Rhode Island Highway increased to $500.

The fine of up to $500 is accompanied by a license suspension of up to six months.

Gov. Dan McKee signed the bill boosting the fine from $85 into law Thursday.

"We have all seen the tragic news stories about horrible accidents occurring because people were driving the wrong way on the highway," Rep. Raymond A. Hull, D-North Providence, one of the bill's sponsors, said in a statement.

"Such actions are beyond dangerous for the driver and anyone else unlucky enough to be using the road at the same time," Hull said. "Hopefully, these increased penalties will deter such unsafe behavior."

The bill's other sponsor, Matthew A. LaMountain, D-Warwick, Cranston, pointed out in a statement that the risk of wrong-way driving is even greater at night.

"Driving the wrong way on the highway puts everyone at considerable risk and this danger is only increased if it takes place during the night," LaMountain said. "This legislation will hold people accountable for such hazardous conduct and hopefully, it will protect innocent people on our state’s highways from becoming victims in catastrophic accidents."

There were 2,008 deaths from wrong-way driving crashes on divided highways between 2015 and 2018, according to AAA.