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Massachusetts

Rhode Island

Massachusetts Motor Laws

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The following is a summary of some of the frequently asked-about laws and regulations governing regulation and operation of passenger vehicles in Massachusetts. For information concerning the availability of the AAA Digest of Motor Laws contact your local AAA club.

TRAFFIC RULES
Speed limits: Reasonable and proper at all times unless otherwise posted limits of 50 m.p.h. on divided highways; 40 m.p.h. other highways; 30 m.p.h. residential and business districts; 20 m.p.h. school zones ; 65 m.p.h. on most interstates; 55 m.p.h. on other major highways not meeting interstate standards, observe posted speed. Penalties: $50 plus $10 per m.p.h. if operating in excess of 10 m.p.h. over posted speed limit; junior operators (16 1/2-18) - 1st offense, money violation calculated as stated above; 2nd offense, 180-day license suspension and money violation; 3rd offense, one-year suspension and money violation.

Speed Checking Devices: Radar used by state and local police. Signs posted.

Radar Detectors: Permitted.

Child Restraints: Mandatory for under 12 years of age. Children must ride in a federally approved child passenger restraint until at least 5 years old and weigh over 40 pounds. $25 fine for noncompliance. Applies to out-of-state/province drivers.

Seat Belts: Seat belt use is mandatory for all private passenger motor vehicles; $25 fine for any car occupant age 16 and over without a safety belt fastened. Driver fined an additional $25 for each occupant ages 12-16 unbuckled (ages 12 and under covered by Child Restraint Law). Secondary enforcement. Violation not surchargable offense on auto insurance. Exemptions: Persons riding in car manufactured before July 1966, operators of mail trucks, taxis, passengers of authorized emergency vehicles, trucks, tractors, buses with a gross weight of more than 18,000 pounds or individuals exempted for a physical impairment.

School Buses: Color, "National School Bus Yellow." Vehicles must stop for school bus loading or unloading except when approaching from opposite direction on a divided highway. Must remain stopped until warning signals are deactivated. Operators required to use seat belt.

Passing on the Right: Permitted on one-way streets, on divided highways and when vehicle ahead is making left turn, provided roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lanes of moving vehicles.

Headlight Use: One-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, or during any other period when visibility is reduced by atmospheric conditions so as to render dangerous further operation without lights being displayed; or when there is not sufficient light within the traveled portion of the highway to make clearly visible all vehicles, persons or substantial objects within a distance of at least 350 feet. Driving with headlights on during all hours of the day is permitted.

Headsets: Wearing of radio headsets while operating a motor vehicle is illegal.

Barefoot Driving: Operation of a motor vehicle by a driver with bare feet is permitted.

Alcoholic Beverage Containers: Operating or riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle while drinking from an open alcoholic beverage container is prohibited.

High Occupancy Vehicle Lane: In use on Southeast Expressway for 2 or more occupants.

Pickup Truck Passengers: Although dangerous, riding in the back of an unenclosed pickup truck is permitted. Under 12 years of age, passengers are prohibited from riding in the back of a pickup truck if speed exceeds 5 m.p.h., or for more than 5 miles.

Cellular Telephones: Use of a cellular telephone while driving not prohibited except by school bus operators. Must have one hand on steering wheel at all times. Emergency number 911. For traffic updates from "Smartroutes" dial *1 or 617-374-1234.

Bicycles: Bicyclist must obey motor vehicle laws; must ride with traffic. Any person 16 years of age or younger operating a bicycle or being carried as a passenger on a bicycle on a public way, bicycle path or any other public right-of-way shall wear a helmet.

Pedestrians: Pedestrian has right-of-way within crosswalk or unmarked crosswalk at intersections.

MOTORCYCLE INFORMATION
Required Equipment: Protective headgear; eyeglasses, goggles or protective face shield if cycle is not equipped with windshield; left rearview mirror; directional lights and flashers, white front headlight, rear red tail light, stoplight, white light to illuminate registration plate, muffler, fenders, horn, brakes, license plate and registration card. Handlebars must not be higher than the operator’s shoulder level when properly seated on the motorcycle.

ACCIDENT REPORTS
Accidents involving property damage exceeding $1,000, death or personal injury, must be reported to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles and Police Department of jurisdiction within five days.

CHEMICAL TEST LAW
Junior Operators: (16 1/2-18): face a minimum one-year license suspension for failing the breath test at a .02% BAC, or refusing the breath test; operating under the influence, driving to endanger, or driving with open alcohol container results in: 1st offense, 180 days and Drunk Driver School and 2nd offense is one-year suspension; anyone under 21 purchasing or attempting to purchase alcohol will have license suspended for 180 days.

HIGHWAY PATROL/STATE POLICE
Headquarters, Massachusetts State Police, 470 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01702. Col. Mark F. Delaney, Superintendent, (508) 820-2300. For state police assistance dial *SP on cellular phone.

Anne L. Collins, Registrar, Registry of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 19100, Boston, MA 02119-9100. (617)351-2700. Customer Help Line, (617)351-4500, FAX (617) 351-9971. For registration and license questions log onto the RMV Web site - http://www.state.ma.us/rmv

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