R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-41: Safety belts in public service vehicles.

Every jitney, bus, private bus, school bus, and trackless trolley coach, when operated upon a highway, shall be equipped with a driver’s seat safety belt device sufficiently anchored and attached and so constructed, designed, and installed as to support a loop-load strength of not less than five thousand pounds (5,000 lbs.) and a buckle or closing device which shall be of a construction and design that it can be released with one hand with a pull of less than forty-five pounds (45 lbs.). Every person when driving any vehicle of this kind shall use and have his or her body anchored by the seat safety belt. Violation of this section shall constitute a civil violation.