Rhode Island

From Hitchwiki
Revision as of 18:04, 19 October 2007 by 68.9.51.134 (talk)
Jump to navigation Jump to search


Rhode Island is bordered by Massachusetts to the north and Connecticut to the west. It takes roughly one hour (depending on traffic and daring of driver) to drive I-95 from the north to the eastern boarder of the state. Anyoen plannign on hitching inside Rhode Island should consider that stayign off the highways. The laws in Rhode Island have been written so as to suggest that hitching is illegal but in reality state law only says "No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride from the driver of any vehicle." (Code 31-18-12 Rhode ISland State Law). What this means is that hithing from the shoulder is not against any state law unless signs have been posted for no pedestrians. Rhode Island State troopers, who patrol the highways, are not known for their loose interpretation of state laws, so if directed away from the high-way by a RI State Trooper, it is advisable to follow the directions over debating the wording chosen on the decades old law. As there is a loop-hole in the state law to allow hitch hiking, there are also city ordances that provide smaller communities with loop-holes to criminalize hitching. Anything from a rare $250 dollar (175.28 Euro) ticket, to jail time. Though jail time is normally reserved as an add-on offense rather than an arresting offense. It is highly advisable to simply move off the roadway when instructed to by an officer. Somtimes it may be a good idea to explain that you were not aware that your activity was illegal, but now that you know, you will move off the roadway.

Traveling through Rhode Island is quick and pretty easy as New York is three hours south, and Boston one hour north of Providence (Along 95)


If you are hitching North on I-95:


    I-95 splits into I-93 (going directly thgouh the city of Boston) and I-95 North (making a large half loop arond boston)
    Where 95 and 93 intersect again you can choose to stay on 93 north which will bring you to Manchester, NH and north through White Mountains National Forrest. By staying on 95 north you will take a eastern course that will bring you to Portland,  Augusta, Bangor, Penobscot, and on up and over to Houlton, Maine where you can cross over into Canada.
    
    


Over all Rhode Island is not particularly hitcher friendly, most hitchers find it easier to hitch a ride in MAssachusetts to the north or New York to the South.