The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake and
pass a vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless there is sufficient
clear space ahead on the right side of the roadway to permit the overtaking
to be completed without impeding the safe operation of any vehicle
ahead.
The driver of a vehicle when about to be overtaken
and passed by another vehicle approaching from the rear shall give
way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle, on suitable and
audible signal being given by the driver of the overtaking vehicle,
and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed
by the overtaking vehicle.
A.
No person shall drive, stop or stand a vehicle in
such a manner as to obstruct unnecessarily the normal movement of
traffic upon any street or highway. Officers are hereby authorized
to require any driver who fails to comply with this section to drive
to the side of the roadway and wait until such traffic as has been
delayed has passed.
B.
No driver shall enter an intersection or a marked
crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the
intersection or crosswalk and on the right half of the roadway to
accommodate the vehicle he is operating without obstructing the passage
of other vehicles or pedestrians notwithstanding any traffic control
signal indication to proceed.
The driver of a vehicle shall not follow another
vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard
to the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon and condition of
the street or highway.
The driver of any vehicle, before starting,
stopping, turning from a direct line or backing, shall first see that
such movement can be made in safety. If the operation of another vehicle
should be affected, by a starting, stopping, turning from a direct
line or backing movement, the driver of such vehicle shall be given
a plainly visible signal.
At any intersection where traffic is controlled
by a stop-and-go signal, or by a police officer, no operator of a
vehicle shall turn such vehicle at the intersection so as to proceed
in the opposite direction, same to be designated by official signs.
No driver of a vehicle shall make a left turn
at any of the intersections listed in Schedule 5.[1] Such schedule is specifically incorporated corporated
in this section and made a part of these rules and orders.
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule 5 is included at the end of this chapter.
In business districts, no operator shall turn
a vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction unless such turn
can be made without backing and without causing any approaching operator
to slacken speed or change his course.
No operator shall back or turn a vehicle so
as to proceed in the direction opposite to that in which such vehicle
is headed or whereby the vehicle is directed into a parking position
at the opposite curb in areas of streets set forth in Schedule 5.[1] Such schedule is specifically incorporated in this section
and made a part of these rules and orders.
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule 5 is included at the end of this chapter.
The operator of a vehicle emerging from an alley,
driveway, or a garage shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to
driving onto a sidewalk or onto the sidewalk area extending across
an alleyway or driveway.
No driver of any vehicle shall back such vehicle
around a corner at an intersection, or into an intersection of public
streets.
Where buildings are used for keeping of more
than four motor vehicles and the exits therefrom are within 10 feet
of the line of a public street, warning, by mechanical or electrical
device visible for a distance of 15 feet on either side of said exits,
or by a bell or gong audible for a distance of 15 feet on either side
of said exits, or by a person stationed at said exits, shall be given
when vehicles are about to leave such buildings.
The driver of a vehicle shall give an audible
warning with his horn or other suitable warning device whenever necessary
to insure safe operation.
Colors and arrow indications in traffic control
signals shall have the commands ascribed to them in this section,
and no other meanings, and every driver of a vehicle, or other conveyance,
shall comply therewith, except when otherwise directed by an officer
or by a lawful traffic regulating sign (other than a "stop" sign),
signal or device, or except as provided in § 211-49B of
this article. In no case shall a driver enter or proceed through an
intersection without due regard to the safety of other persons within
the intersection regardless of what indications may be given by traffic
control signals.
A.
Green: While the green lens is illuminated, drivers
facing the signal may proceed through the intersection, but shall
yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and vehicles lawfully within
a crosswalk or the intersection at the time such signal was exhibited.
Drivers of vehicles making a right or left turn shall yield the right-of-way
to pedestrians crossing with the flow of traffic.
B.
Right, left and vertical green arrows: When a right
green arrow is illuminated, drivers facing said signal may turn right.
When a left green arrow is illuminated, drivers facing said signal
may turn left. When a vertical green arrow is illuminated, drivers
facing said signal may go straight ahead. When a green arrow is exhibited
together with a red or yellow lens, drivers may enter the intersection
to make the movement permitted by the arrow, but shall yield the right-of-way
to vehicles and pedestrians proceeding from another direction on a
green indication.
C.
Yellow: While the yellow lens is illuminated, waiting
drivers shall not proceed, and any driver approaching the intersection
or a marked stop line shall stop at such point unless so close to
the intersection that a stop cannot be made in safety; provided, however,
that if a green arrow is illuminated at the same time, drivers may
enter the intersection to make the movement permitted by such arrow.
D.
Red: While the red lens is illuminated, drivers facing
the signal shall stop outside of the intersection, or at such point
as may be clearly marked by a sign or line; provided, however, that
if a green arrow is illuminated at the same time, drivers may enter
the intersection to make the movement permitted by such arrow.
E.
Red and yellow: While the red and yellow lenses are
illuminated together, drivers shall not enter the intersection, and
during such time the intersection shall be reserved for the exclusive
use of pedestrians.
F.
Flashing red (stop signal): When a red lens is illuminated
by rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop before
entering the nearest crosswalk at an intersection or at a stop line
when marked, and the right to proceed shall be subject to provisions
of MGL c.89, § 8.
G.
Flashing yellow (caution signal): When a yellow lens
is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles
may proceed through the intersection or past such signal only with
caution.
H.
Flashing green: A flashing green lens shall indicate
an intersection or pedestrian crosswalk in use or subject to use by
entering or crossing traffic. Drivers may proceed only with caution
and shall be prepared to comply with a change in the signal to red
or red and yellow indication.
Every driver of a vehicle, or other conveyance, approaching an intersection of ways where there exists facing him an official sign, bearing the word "stop," said sign having the written approval of the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and such approval being in effect, shall, before proceeding through the intersection, bring such vehicle, or other conveyance, to a complete stop at such point as may be clearly marked by a sign or line, or if a point is not so marked, then at a place between the "stop" sign and the nearer line of the street intersection. In the case of a line of two or more vehicles approaching such "stop" sign, the drivers of the second and third vehicles in line in any group shall not be required to stop more than once before proceeding through the intersection. This section shall not apply when the traffic is otherwise directed by an officer or by a lawful traffic regulating sign, signal or device, or except as provided in § 211-45C of this article. For the locations of authorized stop signs, see Schedule 4.[1] Such schedule is specifically incorporated in this section
and made a part of these rules and orders.
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule 4 is included at the end of this chapter.
No operator shall enter upon the road surface
of any street or highway or section thereof, when, by reasons of construction,
surface treatment, maintenance or the like, or because of some unprotected
hazard, such road surface is closed to travel, and one or more signs,
lights or signals have been erected to indicate that all or part of
the road surface of the street or highway is not to be used, or when
so advised by an officer, watchman, member of a street or highway
crew or employee of the Town, either audibly or by signals.
The driver of a vehicle shall not drive upon
any sidewalk except at a permanent or temporary driveway.
A funeral composed entirely or partly of a procession
of vehicles shall be identified as such by means of black pennants
bearing a purple symbol attached to both the first and last vehicles,
or by other suitable means.
A.
It shall be the duty of each driver in a funeral or
other procession to keep as near to the right edge of the roadway
as is feasible and to follow the vehicle ahead as closely as is practicable
and safe.
B.
At an intersection where a traffic control signal
is operating, the driver of the first vehicle in a funeral or other
procession shall be the only one required to stop for a red and/or
yellow indication.
C.
At an intersection where a lawful stop sign exists,
the driver of the first vehicle in a funeral or other procession shall
be the only one required to stop before proceeding through the intersection.
It shall be unlawful for any person to ride
on any portion of a vehicle not designated or intended for the use
of passengers when the vehicle is in motion. This provision shall
not apply to any employee engaged in the necessary discharge of a
duty or within truck bodies in space intended for merchandise.
Whistles used by any police officer in directing
traffic shall have the following meanings:
A.
On one blast of a police officer's whistle at an intersection,
all moving vehicular traffic shall come to a stop, when pedestrians
may cross the street.
B.
Two blasts of a police officer's whistle followed
by a warning hand signal shall indicate termination of the pedestrian
crossing interval, and vehicular traffic shall proceed on receiving
a hand signal from a police officer.
C.
Three or more blasts of a whistle given by a police
officer shall indicate the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle,
when both vehicular and pedestrian traffic shall immediately stop
or proceed as directed by the police officer.
At any junction or crossing of ways where the
road grades have been separated and where the ways are connected by
ramps and at any intersection of ways in which there are traffic islands,
drivers of vehicle shall proceed only as indicated by official signs,
signals or markings.
No vehicle shall be driven or moved on any street
or highway nor shall any owner of any vehicle knowingly permit such
vehicle to be driven or moved on any street or highway unless such
vehicle is so constructed or so loaded as to prevent its contents
from spilling, dropping, sifting, leaking or otherwise escaping therefrom.
Vehicles loaded with any material which may be blown about by the
wind shall be suitably covered to prevent the contents from being
blown upon the streets or highways.
