Current through Register 1518, March 29, 2024
(1)
Drive Within Marked Lanes. When any roadway is divided
into lanes, the driver of a vehicle shall so drive that the vehicle shall be
entirely within a single lane, and they shall not move from the lane in which
they are driving until they have first ascertained if such movement can be made
with safety.
(2)
Use
Right Lane. 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.
(3)
Overtaking
Other Vehicles. The driver of any vehicle overtaking another
vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at a safe distance to the
left thereof, and shall not cut in ahead of such other vehicle until safely
clear of it.
(4)
Overtake Only When There is a Space Ahead. 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 or without causing the driver of any such
vehicle to change their speed or alter their course, except as provided in 700
CMR 9.06(5).
(5)
Vehicle Being Passed. Subject to the provisions of
M.G.L. 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 their vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking
vehicle.
(6)
Obstructing Traffic.
(a) No person shall drive in such a manner as
to obstruct unnecessarily the normal movement of traffic upon any highway.
Officers are hereby authorized to require any driver who fails to comply with
700 CMR 9.06(6) to drive to the side of the roadway and wait until such traffic
as has been delayed has passed.
(b)
Subject to the provisions of M.G.L. c. 89, § 11, 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 they are operating without obstructing the
passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding any traffic control
signal indication to proceed.
(7)
Following Too
Closely. 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 highway.
(8)
Slow Vehicles to Stay 200
Feet Apart. 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
residential district shall not follow another slow-moving commercial vehicle
within 200 feet, but this shall not be construed to prevent such slow-moving
commercial vehicle from overtaking and passing another slow-moving commercial
vehicle. 700 CMR 9.06(8) shall not apply to funerals or other lawful
processions.
(9)
Care
in Starting, Stopping, Turning or Backing. Except as otherwise
provided in
700
CMR 9.08(3) 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 or
other traffic, said driver shall wait for a more favorable opportunity to make
such a 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 M.G.L. c. 90, § 14B.
(10)
Obedience to Traffic Control
Signals. Colors and arrow indications in traffic control signals
shall have the commands ascribed to them in 700 CMR 9.06(10), 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 or except
as provided in 700 CMR 9.06(24)(b).
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)
Steady
Circular Green. Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular green
may proceed through the intersection, but shall yield the right of way to
pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk or vehicles within the intersection at
the time such a signal was exhibited; provided, however, that a steady right or
left red arrow does not permit such a movement. Vehicular traffic making a left
turn shall yield the right of way to oncoming traffic. Vehicular traffic making
a right or left turn shall yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing with
the flow of traffic.
(b)
Steady Right, Left, and Vertical Green Arrows.
Vehicular traffic facing a steady right green arrow may turn right. Vehicular
traffic facing a steady left green arrow may turn left. Vehicular traffic
facing a steady vertical green arrow may go straight ahead. When a green arrow
is exhibited together with a steady circular red or steady circular yellow,
vehicular traffic may enter the intersection to make only the movement
permitted by the arrow.
(c)
Flashing Right and Left Yellow Arrows. Vehicular
traffic facing a flashing right yellow arrow may turn right but shall yield the
right of way to pedestrians legally within a crosswalk and vehicles within the
intersection at the time such a signal was exhibited. Vehicular traffic facing
a flashing left yellow arrow may turn left but shall yield the right of way to
pedestrians legally within a crosswalk, to oncoming traffic, and to vehicles
within the intersection at the time such a signal was exhibited.
(d)
Steady Circular
Yellow. Waiting vehicular traffic facing a steady circular yellow
shall not proceed. Any vehicular traffic approaching the intersection or a
marked stop line facing a steady circular yellow shall stop at such point
unless so close to the intersection that a stop cannot be made in safety.
Provided, however, that if a steady green arrow or flashing yellow arrow is
simultaneously displayed as a steady circular yellow, vehicular traffic may
enter the intersection to make the movement permitted by such arrow.
(e)
Steady Right and Left Yellow
Arrows. Waiting vehicular traffic facing a steady right or left
yellow arrow shall not proceed. Vehicular traffic approaching the intersection
or marked stop line facing a steady right or left yellow arrow shall stop at
such point unless so close to the intersection that a stop cannot be made in
safety unless a steady circular green is simultaneously displayed and permits
such a turn per 700 CMR 9.06(10)(a).
(f)
Steady Circular
Red. Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular red shall not
enter the intersection and, if approaching, 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 steady green arrow or flashing yellow arrow is
simultaneously displayed, vehicular traffic may enter the intersection to make
the movement permitted by such arrow. Except when a sign is in place
prohibiting such a turn, stopped vehicular traffic facing a steady circular red
may turn right, or turn left from a one-way street onto another one-way street,
as subject to M.G.L. c. 89, § 8.
(g)
Steady Right and Left Red
Arrows. Vehicular traffic facing a steady red arrow signal shall
not enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by the arrow and,
unless entering the intersection to make a movement permitted by another
signal, shall stop outside of the intersection or at such point as may be
clearly marked by a sign or line. Except when a sign is in place prohibiting
such a turn, stopped vehicular traffic facing a steady red arrow may turn
right, or to turn left from a one-way street onto another one-way street, as
subject to M.G.L. c. 89 § 8.
(h)
Flashing Circular
Yellow. Vehicular traffic approaching a flashing circular yellow
may proceed through the intersection with caution per the provisions of M.G.L.
c. 89 § 8 and shall yield the right of way to pedestrians.
(i)
Flashing Circular
Red. Vehicular traffic approaching a flashing circular red shall
stop at the stop line or, if not marked, before entering the nearest crosswalk
at an intersection, and the right to proceed shall be subject to provisions of
M.G.L. c. 89, § 8.
(j)
Flashing Right and Left Red Arrows. Vehicular traffic
approaching a flashing right or left red arrow, unless entering the
intersection to make a movement permitted by another signal, shall stop at the
stop line or, if not marked, before entering the nearest crosswalk, and the
right to proceed shall be subject to the provisions of M.G.L. c. 89, §
8.
(k)
Steady Double
Circular Red. Vehicular traffic approaching a signal with a pair
of steady circular red indications arranged horizontally shall stop at the stop
line or, if not marked, before entering the nearest crosswalk.
(l)
Alternating Flashing Circular
Red. Vehicular traffic approaching a signal with a pair of
alternating flashing circular red indications arranged horizontally that
supplement an Official Sign indicating that it is a railroad crossing shall be
subject to the provisions of M.G.L. c. 90, § 15. Vehicular traffic
approaching a signal with a pair of alternating flashing circular red
indications arranged horizontally that supplement a crosswalk at a Pedestrian
Hybrid Beacon, indicated by an Official Sign, shall stop at the stop line or,
if not marked, before entering the crosswalk, shall yield the right of way to
approaching pedestrians, and may only proceed with caution when the crosswalk
is clear or the signal is dark. Vehicular traffic approaching a signal with a
pair of alternating flashing circular red indications arranged horizontally
that supplement an Emergency Vehicle Hybrid Beacon, indicated by an Official
Sign, shall stop at the stop line or, if not marked, in advance of the
Emergency Vehicle access and egress driveway, and may only proceed with caution
when the signal is dark.
(m)
Steady Green Bicycle. Bicyclists approaching a steady
green bicycle may proceed through the intersection but shall yield the right of
way to pedestrians and vehicles lawfully within a crosswalk and vehicles within
the intersection at the time such a signal was exhibited.
(n)
Steady Yellow
Bicycle. Bicyclists approaching the intersection or a marked stop
line facing a steady yellow bicycle shall stop at such point unless so close to
the intersection that a stop cannot be made in safety.
(o)
Steady Red
Bicycle. Bicyclists facing a steady red bicycle shall not enter
the intersection and, if approaching, shall stop outside of the intersection or
at such point as may be clearly marked by a sign or line. Except when a sign is
in place prohibiting such a turn, stopped bicyclists facing a steady red
bicycle may turn right, or turn left from a one-way street onto another one-way
street, as subject to M.G.L. c. 89, § 8.
(p)
Flashing Yellow
Bicycle. Bicyclists approaching a flashing circular yellow may
proceed through the intersection with caution per the provisions of M.G.L. c.
89 § 8 and shall yield the right of way to pedestrians.
(q)
Flashing Red
Bicycle. Bicyclists approaching a flashing circular red shall stop
at the stop line or, if not marked, before entering the nearest crosswalk at an
intersection, and the right to proceed shall be subject to provisions of M.G.L.
c. 89, § 8.
(r)
Steady Vertical White Line. Buses in a Bus Lane facing
a steady vertical white line signal may enter the intersection.
(s)
Flashing White
Triangle. Waiting Buses in a Bus Lane facing a flashing white
triangle signal shall not proceed. Any Buses in a Bus Lane approaching the
intersection or a marked stop line facing a flashing white triangle signal
shall stop at such point unless so close to the intersection that a stop cannot
be made in safety.
(t)
Steady White Horizontal Line. Waiting Buses in a Bus
Lane facing a steady white horizontal line signal shall not enter the
intersection and, if approaching, shall stop outside of the intersection or at
such point as may be clearly marked by a sign or line.
(11)
Lane - Direction - Control
Signals.
(a) When
lane-direction-control signals are placed over the individual lanes of a street
or highway, vehicular traffic may travel in any lane over which a green signal
is shown, but shall not enter or travel in any lane over which a red signal is
shown.
(b)
Meaning of
Indications. Lane direction control signal indications shall have
the following meanings:
1.
Downward-pointing illuminated green arrow. A driver
may operate a vehicle in the lane over which the arrow signal is located and
illuminated.
2.
Red
illuminated symbol "x". A driver shall not operate a vehicle in
the lane over which the signal is located and illuminated, and that this
indication shall modify accordingly the meaning of all other traffic controls
present. The driver shall obey all other traffic controls and follow normal
safe driving practices.
3.
Steady Yellow illuminated symbol "x". A driver should
prepare to vacate, in a safe manner, the lane over which the signal is located
because a lane control change is being made, and to avoid occupying that lane
when a steady red "x" is displayed.
4.
Flashing Yellow illuminated
symbol "x". A driver is permitted to use a lane over which the
signal is located for a left turn. The driver is cautioned that they may be
sharing that lane with opposite flow-left-turn vehicles.
(12)
Lane Control
Signals. When Traffic Control Signals are located and operated
over or adjacent to the individual lanes of a street or highway within an area
designated as a Lane Traffic Control Area, vehicles shall be operated in
obedience to the command given by the signal indication shown over or adjacent
to the lane in which the vehicle is being operated.
A Lane Traffic Control Area is that portion of a street or
highway designated by Official Traffic Signs installed not less than 1000 feet
in advance of Lane Traffic Control Signal installations.
(13)
Obedience to Isolated Stop
Signs. Except when directed to proceed by a police officer, every
driver of a vehicle approaching a stop 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 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 when such driver
is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways. 700 CMR
9.06(13) shall not apply when the traffic is otherwise directed by an officer
or by a lawful traffic-regulating sign, signal or device or as provided in 700
CMR 9.06(24)(c).
(14)
Obedience to Yield Signs. Vehicular traffic
approaching an Official Sign bearing the word Yield, shall surrender the right
of way to other Vehicles or Pedestrians within or approaching the Intersection
and shall bring their Vehicle to a complete stop at the Yield Line or, if none
exists, at a point between the said Yield sign and the nearer line of the
Intersection, provided, however, that this requirement to stop before entering
the Intersection shall not apply when a driver approaching the Yield sign can
enter the intersection in safety without causing interference to approaching
traffic.
700 CMR 9.06(14) shall not apply when the traffic is otherwise
directed by an officer or by a lawful traffic regulating sign, signal or device
or as provided in 700 CMR 9.06(24) ©.
(15)
Sound Horn When
Necessary. The driver of a vehicle shall give an audible warning
with their horn or other suitable warning device whenever necessary to insure
safe operation.
(16)
Keep to the Right of Roadway Division. Upon such
roadways as are divided by a parkway, grass plot, reservation, viaduct, subway
or by any structure or areas, drivers shall keep to the right of such division,
and shall cross such parkway, grass plot or reservation only at a crossover. In
the case of a state highway which has no crossovers, access to the adjoining
roadway shall be gained only by the proper use of under or overpasses and
ramps. The foregoing provisions shall not apply when drivers are otherwise
directed by an officer, or official signs, signals or markings.
(17)
Operation at Under or Over
Passes and at Intersections With Islands. 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
channelizing islands, drivers of vehicles shall proceed only as indicated by
signs, signals or markings.
(18)
Driving on Road Surface Under Construction or Repair.
No operator shall enter upon the road surface of any highway or section thereof
when, by reason 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 highway is not to be used, or when so advised
by an officer, watchman, member of a highway crew or employee of the
Department, either audibly or by signals.
(19)
No Driving on
Sidewalks. The driver of a vehicle shall not drive upon any
sidewalk except to cross a permanent or temporary driveway.
(20)
Emerging from Alley or
Private Driveway. The driver of a vehicle emerging from a private
road, driveway or garage shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving
upon the sidewalk area extending across such driveway or garage, and where no
such sidewalk exists the stop shall be made at the building or property line as
the case may be and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right of way to
Vehicles and Pedestrians approaching on the roadway.
(21)
Certain Turns
Prohibited. The driver of a vehicle or other conveyance shall not
make a turn from the way in which they are driving into another way or
driveway, at any point in the highway, where such a movement is prohibited by
signs.
(22)
Driving or
Parking on Channelizing Island. No person shall drive over or park
a motor vehicle upon any channelizing island, as defined in
700 CMR
9.00, unless directed to do so by a police
officer.
(23)
Obedience
to Traffic Signs, Signals and Markings. The driver of any vehicle
or of any street car shall obey the instructions of any official traffic
control sign, signal, device, marking or legend unless otherwise directed by a
police officer.
(24)
Rights and Duties of Drivers in Funerals or Other
Processions.
(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
indication.
(c) At an intersection
where a lawful isolated stop sign or signal 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.
(25)
People and Equipment in
Highway. Whenever traffic signs are erected or warning lights are
displayed in or adjacent to a highway to notify of the presence of people and
equipment, in such highway every motorist shall regulate the speed of their
vehicle in a manner and to a degree consistent with the particular
condition.
(26)
U Turns
Prohibited. No operator shall back or turn a vehicle so as to
proceed in a direction opposite to that in which said vehicle is headed or
traveling wherever signs notifying of such a restriction have been
erected.
(27)
Vehicle
Operation at Crosswalks.
(a)
Subject to the provisions of M.G.L. c. 89, § 11, when traffic control
signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle, which for
the purposes of 700 CMR 9.06 shall include bicycles, shall yield the right of
way, slowing down or stopping if need be so to yield, to a pedestrian crossing
the roadway within a marked crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of
the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian
approaches from the opposite half of the roadway to within five feet of that
half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling.
(b) Subject to the provisions of M.G.L. c.
89, § 11, no operator of a vehicle shall pass any other vehicle which has
been stopped at a marked crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross a way, nor
shall any operator enter a marked crosswalk until there is sufficient space on
the other side of the crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle they are operating
notwithstanding any traffic control signal indication to proceed.
(c) Subject to the provisions of M.G.L. c.
89, § 11, when approach an Official Sign that states "Yield Here to
Pedestrians", where "Pedestrians" may be written or shown as a symbol, a
Vehicle operator shall stop at a Yield Line or if none exists in line with the
Official Sign, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk
when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is
traveling or when the pedestrian approaches from the opposite half of the
roadway to within five feet of that half of the roadway upon which the vehicle
is traveling.
(28)
Operators to Exercise Due Care. The provisions of
700
CMR 9.09 shall in no way abrogate the
provisions of M.G.L. c 90, §§ 14 and 14A which provide: "Precautions
for Safety of Other Travelers" and for the "Protection of Blind Persons
Crossing Ways", Furthermore, notwithstanding the provisions of
700 CMR
9.00 every operator of a vehicle shall exercise due
care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon the roadway and shall give
warning by sounding the horn when necessary and shall exercise proper
precautions which may become necessary for safe operation.
