After a collision and when stopped by police

Key points

1. After a collision, stop immediately and make your identity known; leaving the scene brings severe penalties.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “Stop your vehicle immediately. Return to the scene of the collision and make your identity known to any interested person.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 62

2. Report all collisions to the nearest state or local police immediately.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “Report all collisions to the nearest state or local police immediately.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 62

3. If you damage a parked vehicle or property, leave your name and address in writing attached securely to it.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “you must leave your name and address in writing attached securely to such vehicle or property so that the owner may find it when he/she returns to their vehicle or property.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 62

4. A police report is required if someone is injured, property damage is over $1,000, or you hit an unattended vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “A police report is required if: x x x Someone is injured in the collision. Property damage is over $1,000. You hit an unattended vehicle.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 62

5. Leaving the scene of a crash with personal injury or death is a felony.

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “Duty to stop in collisions resulting in personal injury [or death] - Felony”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 63

6. If police signal you to stop, turn on your right signal, slow down and pull as far right as possible.

   Source: Handbook p. 64

   “Turn your right directional on and begin to slow down, and eventually pull to the right as far as possible.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 64

7. Signing a citation is not an admission of guilt, only an acknowledgment that you received it.

   Source: Handbook p. 64

   “If asked to sign a citation, do so. It is not an admission of guilt, solely an acknowledgement that you have received the citation.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 64

8. For an emergency vehicle, pull right, stop and wait. Before pulling out, signal and check for a second one, and stay 500 feet behind emergency vehicles.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “If an emergency vehicle is approaching, pull over to the right, stop and wait for it to pass. Before re-entering the flow of traffic; activate your turn signal, glance over your shoulder to ensure another emergency vehicle is not coming, then proceed. Always drive 500 feet behind emergency vehicles.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Rhode Island practice test

1. 1. How far behind an emergency vehicle does the Rhode Island manual advise a driver to remain?

   1. At least 500 feet
   2. At least 50 feet
   3. Exactly 100 feet
   4. No distance is advised after the vehicle passes
   Show answer

   At least 500 feet. Rhode Island advises drivers to remain 500 feet behind emergency vehicles. That separation gives the responding vehicle room to slow, turn, stop, or handle conditions without a civilian vehicle crowding its route. Fifty feet is a different distance used elsewhere in the manual for seeing a large truck’s mirrors, and 100 feet is not the emergency-vehicle figure stated here. Do not use the responder’s speed or flashing lights as a reason to follow closely. Let the gap open before continuing behind it.

2. 2. If a vehicle must stop on a Rhode Island freeway because of mechanical trouble, where should the driver move it when possible?

   1. Into the breakdown lane
   2. Across the nearest travel lane
   3. Onto the center median facing traffic
   4. Directly beside the left passing lane
   Show answer

   Into the breakdown lane. For a mechanical or other difficulty on a freeway, the manual advises signaling and moving the vehicle into the breakdown lane if possible. The breakdown lane separates the disabled vehicle from moving traffic and gives approaching drivers a clearer warning. Crossing into a travel lane or positioning near the passing lane creates additional exposure, while the median choice is not the stated procedure. Signal early and remain alert for vehicles that may misuse the breakdown lane.

3. 3. What must a driver do when an emergency vehicle approaches with warning lights and siren?

   1. Follow the emergency vehicle closely after it passes
   2. Keep moving at the same speed to avoid blocking traffic
   3. Stop in the center of the nearest intersection
   4. Pull to the right and stop, unless already in an intersection
   Show answer

   Pull to the right and stop, unless already in an intersection. Rhode Island requires drivers to yield to an approaching emergency vehicle by moving to the side and stopping. If a driver is already in an intersection, clearing that intersection safely comes first, followed by pulling over. Maintaining speed or stopping in the intersection can obstruct the emergency response. Following closely is also unsafe because the emergency vehicle may stop, turn, or encounter hazards unexpectedly. The cue is to make room immediately, using the right side when possible, and remain stopped until the vehicle has passed and the roadway is safe.

Source: the Rhode Island Driver's Manual, XI. In Case of a Collision. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.