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. Pursuant to MGL, c. 89, § 5, any person violating
the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine not to
exceed $100 for each offense.
Subject to the provisions of MGL c. 89, § 2, 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 when practicable
in favor of the overtaking vehicle, on suitable and visible 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. Pursuant to MGL c. 89, § 5, any person violating
the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine not to
exceed $100 for each offense.
A.
No person shall drive in such a manner as to obstruct unnecessarily
the normal movement of traffic on 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 operate the vehicle
he is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles
or pedestrians notwithstanding any traffic control signal indication
to proceed. A green light is no defense to blocking the intersection.
The driver must wait another cycle of the signal light, if necessary.
Pursuant to MGL c. 89, § 11, any person violating the provisions
of this section shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $200 for
each offense.
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.
It shall be unlawful for any person traveling upon a bicycle,
motorcycle, coaster, sled, roller skates, or any toy vehicle to cling
to or attach himself or his vehicle to any moving vehicle or street
car upon any roadway.
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 such movement cannot be made in safety or if
it interferes unduly with the normal movement of other traffic, said
driver shall wait for a more favorable opportunity to make such movement.
If the operation of another vehicle should be affected by a stopping
or turning movement, the driver of such other vehicle shall be given
a plainly visible signal as required by statute law.
The operator of a vehicle emerging from an alley, driveway or
a garage shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving on to
a sidewalk or on to the sidewalk area extending across alleyway or
driveway.
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, railway car, 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. 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 indications shall have the following meanings:
(1)
Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal indication
is permitted to proceed straight through or turn right or left or
make a u-turn unless such movement is modified by lane use signs,
lane markings, roadway design, separate turn signal indications or
other traffic control devices. Vehicular traffic turning right or
left or making a u-turn shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles,
and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent
crosswalk, at the time such signal is exhibited.
(2)
Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal indication, displayed
alone or in combination with another signal indication, may cautiously
enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such
arrow, or such other movements as is permitted by other indications
displayed at the same time. Such drivers shall yield the right-of-way
to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other
traffic lawfully using the intersection.
B.
Steady yellow indications shall have the following meaning:
(1)
Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular yellow or yellow
arrow signal is thereby warned that the related green movement is
being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately
thereafter when drivers shall not enter the intersection.
C.
Steady red indications shall have the following meanings:
(1)
Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular red signal and no turn on red sign shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown except as provided in Subsection C(2) below.
(2)
When no sign is in place prohibiting a right turn, or a left turn from a one-way street to another one-way street, drivers facing a steady circular red signal may cautiously enter the intersection to make the right turn, or left turn from a one-way street to another one-way street, after stopping as provided in Subsection C(1) above. Such drivers shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
(3)
Vehicular traffic facing a steady red arrow indication may not
enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by such arrow,
and unless entering the intersection to make such other movement as
is permitted by other indications shown at the same time, shall stop
at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk
on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then before entering
the intersection and shall remain standing until an indication to
make the movement indicated by such arrow is shown.
D.
Flashing signal indication shall have the following meanings:
(1)
Flashing red (stop signal). When a red lens is illuminated with
rapid intermittent flashes, driver of vehicles shall stop at a clearly
marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the
near side of the intersection, or if none, then at the point nearest
the intersecting roadway where the drivers has a view of approaching
traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection
subject to the provisions of MGL c. 89 § 9. The right to
proceed shall be subject to the provisions of c. 89, § 8
of the General Laws.
(2)
Flashing yellow (caution signal). When a yellow lens is illuminated
with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through
the intersection or pass such signal only with caution.
(3)
Flashing yellow arrow. Vehicular traffic, on an approach to
an intersection, facing a flashing yellow arrow signal indication,
displayed alone or in combination with another signal indication,
is permitted to cautiously enter the intersection only to make the
movement indicated by such arrow, or other such movement as is permitted
by other signal indications displayed at the same time. Such vehicular
traffic, including vehicles turning right or left or making a u-turn,
shall yield the right-of-way to:
(a)
Pedestrians lawfully within an associated crosswalk, and
(b)
Other vehicles lawfully within the intersection.
(c)
In addition, vehicular traffic turning left or making a U-turn
to the left shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles approaching
from the opposite direction so closely as to constitute an immediate
hazard during the time when such turning vehicle is moving across
or within the intersection.
No operator of a vehicle or other conveyance shall make a turn
from the way or driveway upon which he is driving onto another way
or driveway at any point in the way or driveway where such a movement
is prohibited by signs. No operator of a vehicle or other conveyance
shall back or turn a vehicle so as to proceed in the direction opposite
to that in which said vehicle is traveling wherever signs notifying
of such a restriction have been erected. Turns are prohibited on the
ways or driveways designated in Schedule III of these Traffic Rules
and Orders, and said Schedule III is hereby specifically incorporated
in this section.
A.
Every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop sign or a flashing red signal indication shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering it. After having stopped, the driver shall yield the right of way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time such driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways. Section 332-7.11 shall not apply when the traffic is otherwise directed by an officer or by a lawful traffic-regulating sign, signal or device. For the purposes of this section the word "vehicle" shall include a trackless trolley.
B.
In accordance with the foregoing, the erection and maintenance of
official stop signs or flashing red signal indications is authorized
so as to face the streets or intersections provided in Schedule IV
and Schedule IV-A of these Traffic Rules and Orders, and said Schedule
IV and Schedule IV-A are hereby specifically incorporated in this
section.
C.
Pursuant to MGL c. 89, § 9, any person violating the provisions
of this section shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $150 for
each offense.
A.
The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall in obedience
to such sign slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions
and, if required for safety to stop, shall stop at a clearly marked
stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near
side of the intersection, or, if none, then at the point nearest the
intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic
on the intersecting roadway before entering it. After slowing or stopping,
the driver shall yield the right of way to any vehicle in the intersection
or approaching on another roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate
hazard during the time such driver is moving across or within the
intersection or junction of roadways; provided, however, that if such
a driver is involved in a collision with a vehicle in the intersection
or junction of roadways, after driving past a yield sign without stopping,
such collision shall be deemed prima facie evidence of his failure
to yield the right of way.
B.
In accordance with the foregoing, the erection and maintenance of
official yield signs is authorized so as to face the streets or intersections
provided in Schedule IV-B of these Traffic Rules and Orders, and said
Schedule IV-B is hereby specifically incorporated in this section.
C.
Pursuant to MGL c. 89, § 9, any person violating the provisions
of this section shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $150 for
each offense.
At any signalized or other intersection of ways described herein
where the roadway is divided into lanes by pavement markings or other
means and official signs are erected requiring a right turn or left
turn only for such lane, any operator of a vehicle or other conveyance
in the designated lane or lanes must make such movement and no other
at said intersection in accordance with the provisions of Schedule
V of these Traffic Rules and Orders, and said Schedule V is hereby
specifically incorporated in this section.
Upon such roadways as are divided by a parkway, grass plot,
reservation, viaduct, subway, or by any structure or area, drivers
shall keep to the right of such a division except when otherwise directed
by an officer, signs, signals, or markings.
At any junction or crossing of ways where the roadway 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 vehicles shall proceed only as indicated by official signs, signals
or markings.
No operator shall enter upon a road surface of any street or
highway or section thereof, when, by reason of construction, surface
treatment, maintenance or the like, or because of some unprotected
hazard, such 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 employees 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.
It shall be unlawful for the driver of a vehicle, except on
signal from an officer, to drive the same over or through a safety
zone.
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, if not, 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 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
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 reason 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.
In accordance with MGL c. 90, § 18, no operator shall
operate a motor vehicle on the streets or ways or portions thereof
designated in Schedule VI of these Traffic Rules and Orders at speeds
in excess of those designated in said schedule, provided such speeds
have been authorized by the Board of Selectmen, and which have the
written approval of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation
and Registrar of Motor Vehicles. Operation of a motor vehicle at a
rate of speed in excess of those limits set forth in said schedule
shall be prima facie evidence that such speed is greater than is reasonable
and proper. The provisions of this regulation shall not, however,
abrogate in any sense Chapter 90, Section 14 of the General Laws.
In accordance with MGL c. 90, § 17, no operator shall
run at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour in an established school
zone as designated in Schedule VII of these Traffic Rules and Orders.
A.
The use and operation of heavy commercial vehicles having a carrying
capacity of more than 2 1/2 tons are hereby restricted on the named
streets or parts thereof, and in the manner outlined and during the
period of time set forth, as listed on Schedule VIII of these Traffic
Rules and Orders.
B.
Exemptions. Subsection A of this section shall not apply to heavy commercial vehicles going to or coming from places upon said streets for the purpose of making deliveries of goods, materials, or merchandise to or similar collections form abutting land or buildings or adjoining streets or ways to which access cannot otherwise be gained; or to vehicles used in connection with the construction, maintenance and repair of said streets or public utilities therein; or to federal, state, municipal or public service corporation owned vehicles.
C.
In accordance with MGL c. 85, § 34, no person shall operate
any vehicle with a gross weight in excess of the amounts specified
in Schedule VIII-A of these Traffic Rules and Orders at any time upon
any of the bridges described in Schedule VIII-A of these Traffic Rules
and Orders.
Upon all roadways the driver of a vehicle shall drive in the
lane nearest the right side of the roadway when said lane is available
for travel, except when overtaking another vehicle or when preparing
for a left turn. Pursuant to MGL c. 89, § 5, any person
violating the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine
not to exceed $100 for each offense.
Upon roadways less than 27 feet wide and upon which vehicular
traffic is permitted to operate in both directions, the driver of
any slow-moving commercial vehicle when traveling outside of a business
or thickly settled district shall not follow another slow-moving commercial
vehicle within 200 feet, but this shall not be construed to prevent
such slow-moving vehicle from overtaking and passing another slow-moving
vehicle. This section shall not apply to funerals or other lawful
processions.
