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City of Northampton, MA
Hampshire County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (1) Index
When any roadway has been divided into lanes, a driver of a vehicle shall drive so as to be entirely within a single lane and shall not move from the lane in which he is driving until he has first ascertained if such movement can be made with safety.
At all times, except when passing another vehicle, the driver of a vehicle shall keep to the right of the middle of the traveled part of the way.
A vehicle moving slowly shall keep as close as possible to the right-hand curb.
A vehicle overtaking another vehicle shall, in passing, keep to the left.
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.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original §§ 20-108, Driver to give way to overtaking vehicle, and 20-109, Meeting vehicles to pass to right, which immediately followed this section, were deleted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
The driver of a vehicle shall give an audible warning with his horn or other suitable warning device whenever necessary to ensure safe operating.
A. 
No person shall drive 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 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.
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.
A. 
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, such driver shall wait for a more favorable opportunity to make such movement.
B. 
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 onto a sidewalk or onto the sidewalk area extending across alleyway or driveway.
A. 
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.
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.
(1) 
Green indications shall have the following meanings:
(a) 
Drivers facing a circular green may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn. But drivers turning right or left 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.
(b) 
Drivers facing a green arrow, shown alone or in combination with another indication, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow, or such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown 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.
(2) 
Steady yellow indications have the following meanings:
(a) 
Drivers facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal are 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.
(3) 
Steady red indications shall have the following meanings:
(a) 
Red. Traffic facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line or, 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 allowed by MGL c. 89, § 8.
(b) 
No driver of a vehicle facing a circular red signal indication shall make a right turn where official traffic signs are installed and maintained prohibiting such turn.
[Amended 1-19-1981; 3-20-1986; 8-16-1990; 6-20-1991; 10-17-1991; 12-7-1995; 12-18-1997; 8-20-1998]
Intersection
Street
Direction of Travel
No Right Turn on Red (RTOR) On To
Bridge Road (westbound) and Cooke Avenue
Bridge Road
Westerly
Cooke Avenue
Bridge Road, Cooke Avenue, Jackson Street
Jackson Street
Northerly
Bridge Road
Bridge Street, Market Street, Main Street, Hawley Street
Bridge Street
Westerly
Market Street
King Street - Entrance to Kingsgate Plaza
King Street
Southerly
Kingsgate Plaza
King Street southerly entrance to Pot Pourri Mall
King Street
Northerly
Pot Pourri Mall
King Street, Main Street, Pleasant Street
Main Street
North-
easterly
Pleasant Street
Main Street
South-
westerly
King Street
Pleasant Street
North-
westerly
Main Street
King Street
South-
easterly
Main Street
Main Street, New South Street, State Street
Main Street
Westerly
State Street
Main Street (Florence), Maple Street, North Main Street, North Maple Street
Main Street
Westerly
North Maple Street
North Main Street
Easterly
Maple Street
North Maple Street
Southerly
North Main Street
Maple Street
Northerly
Main Street
Main Street (Florence), Chestnut Street
Main Street
Easterly
Chestnut Street
Main Street
Westerly
Chestnut Street
Chestnut Street
Southerly
Main Street
Chestnut Street
Northerly
Main Street
North Elm Street (westbound) and North Elm Street
North Elm Street
Westerly
North Elm Street
Old South Street and Conz Street
Old South Street
Easterly
Conz Street
Old South Street and Conz Street
Old South Street
Southerly
Old South Street
Village Hill Road and Prince Street
[Added 12-3-2009]
Village Hill Road
Southerly
Prince Street
(c) 
Drivers 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.
(4) 
Red and yellow indication shall have the following meanings: 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.
(5) 
Flashing signal indications shall have the following meanings:
(a) 
Flashing red (stop signal). When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers 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 driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the provisions of MGL c. 89, § 8.
(b) 
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.
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 traveling on the following streets:
Name of Street
Direction of Travel
At Intersection of
North Elm Street (Route 9)
[Added 1-20-2022 by Ord. No. 22.004]
Northwest
Elm Street
A. 
Every driver of a vehicle, railway car or other conveyance approaching an intersection of ways where there exists facing him an official sign bearing the word "STOP" or a flashing red signal indication, such signs or signals having, apart from these rules and orders, the written approval of the Department of Public Works, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and such approval being in effect, shall, before proceeding through the intersection, bring such vehicle, railway car 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 the nearer line of crosswalk of 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 as provided in Subsection C of § 312-73. In accordance with the foregoing, the streets listed in Schedule XII, § 312-113, of these rules and orders are hereby declared to constitute isolated stop streets or flashing red signal intersections as the case may be, and such Schedule XII is hereby specifically incorporated in this section.
[Amended 2-1-2007]
B. 
That part of King Street between Main Street and the northerly side of Damon Road is hereby designated as a through way under MGL c. 89, § 9.
C. 
Bridge Road from North King Street to North Main Street, Florence, is hereby designated as a through way under MGL c. 89, § 9.
D. 
Every driver of a vehicle or other conveyance approaching an intersection of ways, where there exists facing him an official sign bearing the word "YIELD", said sign having been erected in accordance with the written approval of the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and such approval being in effect shall surrender to oncoming traffic his right to enter the intersection until such time as he has brought his vehicle or other conveyance to a complete stop at a point between the said yield sign and the nearer line of the street intersection; provided, however, that this requirement to stop before entering the intersection shall not apply when a driver approaching a yield sign can enter the intersection in safety without causing interference to approaching traffic.
[Added 9-18-1986; amended 11-6-1986]
(1) 
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 as provided in Subsection C of § 312-73.
(2) 
In accordance with the foregoing, the streets listed in Schedule XII, § 312-113C, isolated yield sign, of these rules and orders are hereby declared to constitute isolated yield sign intersections, and such Schedule XII is hereby specifically incorporated in this section.
E. 
Multiway stop signs.
[Amended 6-4-1992]
(1) 
Every driver of a vehicle, bicycle, or other conveyance approaching an intersection of ways where there exists facing oncoming traffic at every entrance to said intersection an official sign bearing the word "STOP," said signs having been erected in accordance with the ordinances of the City of Northampton, Section 2B-6 of the National Manual of Uniform Traffic Devices, and any necessary approval from the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, shall, before proceeding through the intersection, bring such vehicle, bicycle, 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 the nearer line of the crosswalk of the intersection or, if there is no crosswalk, at the near side of the intersection. The first vehicle arriving at the intersection shall have the right of way. Other vehicles shall have the right of way in the order in which they arrive at the intersection. If two or more vehicles arrive at an intersection simultaneously, operators shall yield the right of way to the vehicle to the operator's right. This section shall not apply when the traffic is otherwise directed by a police officer or other duly authorized traffic control person or by a lawful traffic regulating sign, signal or device or as provided in Subsection C of § 312-73.
(2) 
In accordance with the foregoing, the intersections listed in Schedule XII, § 312-113D are hereby declared to constitute multiway stop intersections and said Schedule XII, § 312-113D, is specifically incorporated in this section.
[Amended 12-3-2009]
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.
Name of Street
Direction of Travel
Location
Bridge Road
West
In the divider island at approximately Station 24 + 80
Route 9 (North Main Street)
North
In the divider island at approximately Station 10 + 80
Route 9 (North Main Street)
South
In the divider island at approximately Station 17 + 45
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 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 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. The Board of Public Works is hereby authorized to lay out and determine the location and width of a permanent or temporary driveway, and to require such precautions for the preservation of the sidewalk at a temporary driveway as the Board of Public Works may deem necessary.
It shall be unlawful for the driver of a vehicle, except on signal from a police 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 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 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.
[Amended 7-21-1983; 10-18-1990; 10-20-1999; 2-1-2007; 7-7-2011; 7-10-2014]
A. 
The use of a compression release engine brake on a motor vehicle not properly equipped with an engine exhaust muffler as per state and federal regulations, or equipped with a defective, damaged, or inappropriately modified engine exhaust muffler and/or associated exhaust system components, creates loud and excessive noise adversely affecting the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of the City of Northampton and is prohibited. Violators shall be subject to a fine of $300. The City of Northampton recognizes that compression release engine brakes can be an important accessory safety component of large commercial motor vehicles, particularly when hauling heavy loads on steeply graded roadways, but encourages motor vehicle owners and operators to deploy them judiciously and respectfully in our community, avoiding unnecessary use in nonemergency situations (e.g., on flat, low-grade, or uphill roadways; in an unloaded or lightly loaded vehicle; to compensate for excessive speed or insufficient braking distances as a result of improper operation; in residential and downtown areas; during late night/early morning hours, etc.).
B. 
The use and operation of heavy commercial vehicles as defined in § 312-1 are hereby restricted on the following named streets or parts thereof, and in the manner outlined and during the period of time set forth. Violators shall be subject to a fine of $300.
Street
From
To
Times Prohibited
Day Avenue
Bridge Street
North Street
All times
Elizabeth Street
Bridge Street
North Street
All times
Jackson Street
Bridge Road
Prospect Street
All times
Lincoln Avenue (south-
easterly direction)
Bridge Street
North Street
All times
North Street
Market Street
Lincoln Avenue
All times
North Street (south-
westerly direction)
Lincoln Avenue
Day Avenue
All times
Orchard Street
Bridge Street
North Street
All times
Parsons Street
Bridge Street
North Street
All times
Prospect Avenue
Bridge Road
Prospect Street
All times
C. 
(Reserved)[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection C, Warnings and penalties for repeated use of truck detours, was repealed 2-2-2017 by Ord. No. 16.184.
D. 
Exemptions. Subsection A of this section shall not apply to heavy commercial vehicles going to or coming from places upon such streets for the purpose of making deliveries of goods, materials, or merchandise to or similar collections from 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 such streets or public utilities therein; or to federal, state, municipal or public service corporation owned vehicles.
E. 
Signage. The Department of Public Works shall establish clear and conspicuous signage on prohibited streets and official detour routes indicating the nature of the commercial vehicle prohibition and dollar amount of the accompanying fine. Where the state may have jurisdiction, the Department of Public Works shall inform the Massachusetts Department of Transportation of signage needs.
No person shall drive or park a vehicle of any description upon the turf or grass-covered area adjoining the paved or hardened portions of any street.
A. 
Where official traffic control devices are erected directing specific traffic to use a designated lane or designated lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction regardless of the center of the roadway, or to prohibit a turn or to make a required turn at an intersection of roadways, drivers of vehicles shall obey the direction of every such device.
B. 
In accordance with the foregoing, the following streets are incorporated in this section:
Name of Street
Direction
of Travel
At Inter-
section Of
Turning
Restriction
Bridge Road
[Added 2-17-2005]
East
North Maple Street
Left lane must turn left
Bridge Road
[Added 2-17-2005]
West
North Maple Street
Left lane must turn left
Bridge Street
[Added 11-17-1988]
South
Pomeroy Terrace
Left lane must turn left
Conz Street
[Added 11-21-1991]
North
Old South Street
Left lane must turn left
Cooley Dickinson Hospital entrance
[Added 3-4-1993]
North
North Elm Street
Right lane must turn right
Crafts Avenue
[Added 11-21-1991]
South
Old South Street
Right lane must turn right and left lane must turn left
Damon Road
[Added 11-17-1994]
Southeast
Bridge Street
Right lane must turn right
Damon Road
[Added 11-17-1994]
Southeast
Bridge Street
Two left lanes must turn left
King Street
[Added 3-5-1987]
North
Kingsgate Plaza entrance
Left lane must turn left
King Street
[Added 3-5-1987]
North
North Street
Right lane must turn right
King Street
[Added 1-19-1981]
South
Main Street
Left lane must turn left and right lane must turn right
King Street
[Added 10-17-1996]
South
North Street
Left lane must turn left
King Street
[Added 3-5-1987]
South
Pot Pourri Mall entrance
Left lane must turn left
Main Street
[Added 1-19-1981]
East
Pleasant Street
Right lane must turn right
Main Street
[Added 1-19-1981]
East
State Street and New South Street
Left lane must turn left and right lane must turn right
Main Street
[Added 1-19-1981]
East/West
Pleasant Street and King Street
Left lane must turn left
Main Street
[Added 1-19-1981]
West
New South Street
Left lane must turn left
Main Street
[Added 1-19-1981]
West
West Street
Left lane must turn left
Main Street (Florence)
East/West
Chestnut Street
Left lane must turn left
Main Street (Florence)
West
Maple Street
Left lane must turn left
Main Street (Northampton)
[Added 5-15-2003]
West
State Street
Right lane must turn right
New South Street
[Added 1-19-1981]
North
Main Street
Right lane must turn right and left lane must turn left
New South Street
[Added 5-16-1996]
South
Old South Street
Left lane must turn left
North Elm Street
[Added 3-4-1993]
East
Prospect Avenue
Left lane must turn left
North Elm Street
North
Connector to Elm Street
Left lane must turn left
North Elm Street
[Added 3-4-1993]
South
Locust Street
Right lane must turn right
North Elm Street
South
Woodlawn Avenue
Left lane must turn left
North Elm Street
[Added 3-4-1993]
West
Entrance to Cooley Dickinson Hospital
Left lane must turn left
North Main Street
East
North Maple Street
Left lane must turn left
North Main Street
[Added 10-20-1994]
West
Florence Street
Left lane must turn left
Old South Street
[Added 11-21-1991]
North
Conz Street
Right lane must turn right
Old South Street
[Added 11-21-1991]
North
Entrance to Round House Lot
Left lane must turn left
Old South Street
[Added 11-21-1991]
North
Main Street
Right lane must turn right and left lane must turn left
Old South Street
[Added 11-21-1991]
South
Conz Street
Right lane must turn right
Old South Street
[Added 5-16-1996]
West
New South Street
Left lane must turn left and right lane must turn right
Pleasant Street
[Added 1-19-1981]
North
Main Street
Left lane must turn left
Prospect Street
[Added 3-4-1993]
West
North Elm Street
Right lane must turn right
South Street
[Added 5-16-1996]
North
Old South Street
Right lane must turn right
West Street
[Added 3-21-1991]
East
Elm Street
Left lane must turn left
West Street
[Added 1-19-1981]
East
Main Street
Right lane must turn right
[Added 2-17-1983; amended 6-1-2006; 12-7-2017 by Ord. No. 17.399]
A. 
No motorized vehicles or horses will be allowed on multiuse trails or bicycle paths, with the exception of emergency and/or maintenance vehicles belonging to National Grid, the City of Northampton, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or their agents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, low-speed electric bicycles as defined by 15 U.S.C. § 2085 and electrically powered mobility devices for people with disabilities shall be permitted on multiuse trails and bicycle paths. Multiuse trails include the MassCentral Rail Trail, the New Haven and Northampton Canal Line (Manhan) Rail Trail, the Rocky Hill Greenway, and any other marked multiuse trail (bicycle path), but not including earthen and walking trails.
[Amended 4-5-2018 by Ord. No. 18.043]
(1) 
Under 15 U.S.C. § 2085, "low-speed electric bicycles " means a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 hp), whose maximum speed on a paved, level surface when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds is less than 20 miles per hour. This section shall supersede any state law or requirement with respect to low-speed electric bicycles to the extent that such state law or requirement is more stringent than the federal law or requirements referred to in 15 U.S.C. § 2085. This definition does not apply to gasoline-powered motorized bicycles per MGL c. 90, § 1B or any other motorized scooter per MGL c. 90, § 1E.
(2) 
Low-speed electric bicycles and electric-assist mobility devices shall not exceed a speed of 12 miles per hour on multiuse trails.
B. 
No trespassing onto private property from multiuse trails is permitted.
C. 
The disposal of trash or litter is prohibited.
D. 
No open fires are permitted on multiuse trails.
E. 
All users of the multiuse trails are required to:
(1) 
Stop at all street crossings; and
(2) 
Yield the right-of-way to vehicles in the road.
F. 
All traffic along multiuse trails will keep to the right at all times.
[Added 10-21-1999]
A. 
No person operating a motor vehicle on any public or private way within the City shall operate said vehicle at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper, having regard to traffic and the use of the way and regard for the safety of the public.
B. 
Determination of a motor vehicle's speed to be in excess of a posted speed limit or a reasonable and proper speed on a not-posted way, through the use of radar, laser or other scientifically recognized method of speed measurement, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation under this section.
[Added 12-15-2005; amended 12-21-2006; 5-20-2010; 3-17-2011; 11-6-2014; 11-5-2015; 11-17-2016 by Ord. No. 16.183; 4-5-2018 by Ord. No. 18.043]
A. 
There shall be established in the City of Northampton on certain public ways bike lanes for the preferential but not necessarily exclusive travel of nonmotorized bicycle traffic.
B. 
A bike lane is so designated by means of some combination of painted lines, pavement coloring, bike lane signs and/or other appropriate markings and signage.
C. 
No vehicle shall park within a designated bike lane in a manner which would obstruct bicyclist passage. Such violation shall be enforced under § 312-99B(1), Group A.
D. 
A motor vehicle may enter or cross a designated bike lane only after using due caution and care in such movement.
E. 
The Police Department and Mayor may allow parking in bike lanes for short-term special events.