Town of Johnston, RI Article XX Operation of Unregistered and Unlicensed Motor Vehicles

[Added 5-10-1982 by Ord. No. 492]

§ 220-107 Operation upon public property prohibited; exceptions.

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any unregistered or unauthorized motor vehicle, including motorcycles, minibikes, motorized bicycles or other vehicles operated by internal combustion engines, upon any park, playground, play field, school property, including athletic fields, or property owned or under control of the Town of Johnson, except authorized Town vehicles and equipment or vendors who are under contract with the Town.

§ 220-108 Operation upon highways prohibited.

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate an unregistered motorcycle, minibike or motorized bicycle upon any highway of the Town of Johnston pursuant to the provisions of R.I.G.L. § 31-3-1.

§ 220-109 Impoundment and release of offending vehicles.

Any police officer in his discretion may remove any motor vehicle violating this article to police headquarters or another authorized impound area. Such motor vehicles seized pursuant to this article shall be impounded for a period of 10 days. Prior to the release of any motor vehicle, written authorization must be obtained from the Police Department, and no release shall be issued until all towing and storage charges are paid forthwith.

§ 220-110 Violations and penalties; adult and juvenile offenders.

Any adult violating the provisions of § 220-107 of this article shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100 or by imprisonment for not more than 10 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Juvenile offenders will be subject to administrative action by the Chief of Police. Any person violating the provisions of § 220-108 of this article shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Family Court and/or the Administrative Adjudication Division.

§ 220-111 Abandonment on public highways prohibited.

It shall be unlawful for any person to allow any motor vehicle to become abandoned on any public highway or public property owned or maintained by the Town. A motor vehicle shall be deemed abandoned if it is missing any major parts, such as engines, doors, windows, hood, flat tires, or for any reason is immovable under its own power and has been at the same location on the public highway or public property for a period of 48 hours, even if such motor vehicle be properly registered.

§ 220-112 Removal and impoundment of abandoned vehicles; fines.

A. Any police officer may remove and impound, or cause to be removed or impounded, any motor vehicle violating § 220-111.

B. Before any such vehicle shall be released, the owner or operator will pay for towing and storage charge. The payment of such towing and storage charge shall not release the operator or owner of the motor vehicle from any penalty imposed for violation of this section.

C. Any person violating § 220-111 shall be fined $50.