Complete Rhode Island accident reports and news.

Rhode Island - The Ocean State, known for sandy shores, seaside towns, and home of Brown University

Rhode Island is known for its sandy shores and seaside Colonial towns. It is home to several large cities, including Newport, which is famed for sailing and Gilded Age mansions. Providence, its capital, is home to Brown University, Roger Williams Park, landscaped Waterplace Park and Riverwalk, with the famed WaterFire art installation. Rhode Island is the smallest in area, the eighth least populous, and the second most densely populated, following New Jersey, of the 50 U.S. states.

Major Roadways in Rhode Island

Rhode Island has 70 state highways, coordinated and signed by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT). Most of these are partly or fully state highways, roads owned and maintained by RIDOT.

Interstate 95 runs southwest to northeast across the state, linking Rhode Island with other states along the East Coast. Interstate 295 functions as a partial beltway encircling Providence to the west. Interstate 195 provides a limited-access highway connection from Providence (and Connecticut and New York via I-95) to Cape Cod. Initially built as the easternmost link in the (now cancelled) extension of Interstate 84 from Hartford, Connecticut, a portion of U.S. Route 6 through northern Rhode Island is limited-access and links I-295 with downtown Providence.

Go to the Rhode Island 511 site for current traffic conditions.

Rhode Island Transportation 

Bus

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) operates statewide intra- and intercity bus transport from its hubs at Kennedy Plaza in Providence, Pawtucket, and Newport. RIPTA bus routes serve 38 of Rhode Island's 39 cities and towns. RIPTA currently operates 58 routes, including daytime trolley service (using trolley-style replica buses) in Providence and Newport.

Ferry

The privately run Block Island Ferry links Block Island with Newport and Narragansett with traditional and fast-ferry service, while the Prudence Island Ferry connects Bristol with Prudence Island. Private ferry services also link several Rhode Island communities with ports in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York. T

Rail

The MBTA Commuter Rail's Providence/Stoughton Line links Providence and T.F. Green Airport with Boston. The line was later extended southward to Wickford Junction. Amtrak's Acela Express stops at Providence Station, linking Providence to other cities in the Northeast Corridor. Amtrak's Northeast Regional service makes stops at Providence Station, Kingston, and Westerly.

Aviation

Rhode Island's primary airport for passenger and cargo transport is T. F. Green Airport in Warwick, though Rhode Islanders who wish to travel internationally on direct flights or who seek a greater availability of flights and destinations often fly through Logan International Airport in Boston.

The Climate of Rhode Island

Rhode Island has a humid climate, with cold winters and short summers. The average annual temperature is 50°F. At Providence the temperature ranges from an average of 28°F in January to 73°F in July. Rhode Island's weather is highly changeable, with storms and hurricanes an occasional threat. 

Go here to read about recent accidents across the Rhode Island region:

What to do after a serious accident in Rhode Island

If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a motor vehicle accident in Rhode Island, it is essential to get legal assistance to cover the medical bills, lost income, and other costs that arise. A Rhode Island personal injury attorney will make sure that you and your family are compensated so that you can begin rebuilding your life.  

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Legal and Other Resources and Information

Rhode Island DOT-Department of Transportation

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) designs, constructs, and maintains the state's surface transportation system. With a staff of more than 700 transportation professionals, RIDOT serves as the steward of a statewide multimodal transportation network, consisting of 3,300 lane miles of roadway, 1,154 bridges, five rail stations, and more than 60 miles of bike and pedestrian paths.

Rhode Island State Police

The Rhode Island State Police was founded in 1925, and the first Superintendent, Colonel Everitte St. John Chaffee, designed the agency to deal with "the new and rapidly expanding enforcement problems, especially those compounded by the automobile." Today, the Rhode Island State Police faces many more challenges than those associated with the automobile. The Division faces budget challenges, staying ahead of ever-changing and emerging technology, prevention and enforcement of drunk/impaired driving, traffic safety, terrorism and homeland security threats, narcotics, crimes associated with the country's economy, and much more. To respond to these challenges, members of the State Police are subject matter experts in many different fields to include computer crimes, financial crimes, forensic and crime scene specialists, organized crime, accident reconstruction, special weapons and tactics, strict DUI enforcement/recognition of impaired drivers and more.

Rhode Island Judiciary -Courts

In our mission to administer justice while maintaining our independence, we are duty bound to act with unfailing honor to serve and protect the ideals of democracy for the citizens of this state. We have added a number of features to our home page in conjunction with the recent implementation of the electronic filing system and access to case information. 

Pro Bono Collaborative - RWU Law

The Pro Bono Collaborative connects law firms, attorneys and law students to community organizations that need pro bono legal services for their organization and/or their clients.  The PBC’s pro bono service model is unique in that it involves a three-way partnership-- law firm/attorney, law school and community organization—to identify unmet legal needs and create pro bono projects that address those needs.  All pro bono projects facilitated through the School of Law fall under the Pro Bono Collaborative.

RWU Law School - Roger Williams University

RWU Law isn’t like every other law school. We’re the go-to source for legal expertise across the state, and an integral part of the regional legal culture and conversation. With a world-class faculty, a broad and accomplished alumni base (including the Attorney General of Rhode Island), and (as the state's only law school) the undivided attention of the Rhode Island bench and bar, we offer an entry into the legal profession like no other in these challenging economic times. Whether on our bucolic seaside campus in Bristol or our dynamic urban campus in Providence, we offer our students a level of choice, experience, access and connections that will help you prepare to hit the ground running in your legal career.

Rhode Island Bar Association

Founded in 1898, the objectives of the Rhode Island Bar Association are to uphold and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and the Constitution and laws of Rhode Island and to maintain representative, democratic government; to advance the science of jurisprudence; to promote the administration of justice; to uphold the honor and dignity of the process of law; to apply its knowledge and experience in the field of the law to the promotion of the public good; to encourage and cultivate social intercourse among the members of the Rhode Island Bar; and to cooperate with the American Bar Association, other national, regional and state bar associations and the local bar associations in the State of Rhode Island.

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