Threat of a Head-on Collision | RI Division of Motor Vehicles

RHODE ISLAND’S TITLE LAW HAS CHANGED Effective March 1, 2024

The Rhode Island DMV will no longer be accepting photocopies, images, or electronic copies of titles.
All new registration and/or new title transactions will now REQUIRE THE ORIGINAL TITLE to be submitted to the RI DMV at the time the transaction takes place.
Your lienholder or leasing company can send the original title to the RI DMV, ATTN: Research Office, 600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920 or to you directly. We highly recommend that the title and other documents are sent with tracking information to enable customers and lienholders to know when the title was received.
As long as your contact information (name, address, phone and e-mail) is included with the title, the RI DMV will contact you once your original title has been received so you can complete your transaction. Be advised that this process can take several weeks for the original title to be sent to the RI DMV. Please also be advised that the RI DMV cannot request a title from a lienholder or lease company.
A VIN check is required for all transactions involving an Out-of-State title/vehicle.
Reservations are required for all visits. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
For more information on RI’s new title laws, and new requirements for registration and title transactions, CLICK HERE and scroll down.

Threat of a Head-on Collision

Head-on collisions may result in injury that is more serious to drivers and passengers than any other type of crash. Head-on collisions are also more likely to result in death than any other type of crash. The following steps can be taken to avoid a head-on collision:

Maintain vehicle control. Brake hard, but do not lock the wheels. Slowing lessens the force of the impact, gives the other driver space and time to recover control.

Sound the horn and flash the headlights. These actions might alert an impaired (distracted) driver. Continue braking and move to the right if the driver does not heed your warning.

Steer right toward the shoulder or curb-line.

Do not steer left. The other driver likely will try to steer back into the proper lane. Prepare to drive entirely off the roadway to the right, if necessary.