(a)  There is established a uniform statewide motor vehicle accident police report which shall be used by the Rhode Island state police and all other state or municipal police departments.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 31-26-16

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Motor vehicle: means any vehicle driven or drawn by mechanical power for use on the public streets, roads, and highways;

    (2)  "Odometer" means an instrument for measuring and recording the actual distance a motor vehicle travels while in operation;

    (3)  "Person" means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or business trust including, but not limited to, private individuals and motor vehicle dealers, both wholesale and retail, whether the private individual or dealer is a dealer in the ordinary course of business or not;

    (4)  "Repair and replacement" means to restore to a sound working condition by replacing the instrument or any part thereof or by correcting what is inoperative;

    (5)  "Transfer" means to acquire ownership by purchase, gift, bequest, or any other means. See Rhode Island General Laws 31-23.2-2

(b)  This report shall include any information that the superintendent of the Rhode Island state police in consultation with the Municipal Police Chiefs Association shall deem appropriate.

(c)  The failure of a police department to use the uniform report form when taking a report shall not be used:

(1)  By a defendant in a criminal prosecution or violation hearing as grounds for challenge to, or dismissal of, any charges or citations arising out of the motor vehicle accident; or

(2)  As a basis to challenge the admissibility of a police report in any administrative or judicial proceeding, civil or criminal.

History of Section.
P.L. 1993, ch. 183, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 166, § 1.