[Amended 5-30-1972; 7-11-2000]
For the purposes of this chapter the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed them by this section:
BUS STOP
An area in the roadway set aside for the boarding of or alighting from and the parking of buses.
COMMITTEE
The Committee on Police and License.
CROSSWALK
That portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of curblines and property lines at intersections or at any portion of a roadway clearly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines on the road surface or by other markings or signs.
DEPARTMENT
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation.[1]
EMERGENCY VEHICLE
Vehicles of the Fire Department, police vehicles, ambulances and emergency vehicles of federal, state and municipal departments or public service corporations when the latter are responding to an emergency in relation to the Police or Fire Department.
FUNERAL
Any procession of mourners properly identified as such accompanying the remains of a human body.
INTERSECTION
The area embraced within the extension of the lateral curblines or, if none, the lateral boundary lines of intersecting ways as defined in MGL c. 90, § 1, including divided ways.
LANE
A longitudinal division of a roadway into a strip of sufficient width to accommodate the passage of a single line of vehicles.
MARKED CROSSWALK
That area of a roadway reserved for pedestrian crossing located between two solid white reflectorized twelve-inch pavement markings in rural areas or markings not less than six inches wide in urban areas, such markings or lines being no less than six feet apart.
METERED SPACE
Any space within a parking meter zone which is duly designated for the parking of a single vehicle by lines painted on the surface of the street or facility.
[Amended 12-13-2011]
OFFICER
Any officer, any investigator, examiner or inspector of the Registry of Motor Vehicles, any constable or special officer, provided that the officer has the badge of office displayed over his/her left breast and upon his/her outer garment.
OFFICIAL CURB MARKING
That portion of a curbing, the painting of which has been authorized by the Municipal Council and which conforms to the standards prescribed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
OFFICIAL STREET MARKING
Any painted line, legend, marking or marker of any description painted or placed upon any way which purports to direct or regulate traffic and which has been authorized by the Municipal Council and which conforms to the standards prescribed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC SIGNALS
All signals conforming to the standards prescribed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, not inconsistent with this chapter, placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of directing or warning traffic.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC SIGNS
All signs, markings and devices, other than signals, not inconsistent with this chapter, and which conform to the standards prescribed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of guiding, directing, warning or regulating traffic.
PARKING
The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading, or in obedience to an officer or traffic signs or signals, or while making emergency repairs or, if disabled, while arrangements are being made to move such vehicle.
PARKING KIOSK
An electronic parking control payment system used in lieu of parking meters, covering multiple parking spaces. Upon payment, a parking kiosk shall issue a printed parking receipt indicating the date of issuance and expiration time of the interval of authorized parking at which time the payee may no longer remain lawfully parked within the parking meter zone. The parking receipt shall authorize parking for the full period of time for which parking is lawfully permitted in any parking meter zone or for an appropriate fractional period of time.
[Added 12-13-2011]
PARKING METER
Any mechanical or electronic device, not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, placed or erected on any public way within the City for the regulation of parking. Each parking meter installed shall indicate by proper legend the legal parking time established by this chapter and when operated shall at all times indicate the balance of legal parking time permitted and at the expiration of such period shall indicate illegal or overtime parking.
[Amended 12-13-2011]
PARKING METER ZONE
Any street, portion thereof or off-street municipal facility upon which parking meters/kiosks are installed and in operation and upon which parking of vehicles is permitted for a limited time subject to compliance with the further provisions of this chapter.
[Amended 12-13-2011]
PEDESTRIAN
Any person afoot or riding on a conveyance moved by human power, except bicycles or tricycles.
RAILROAD CROSSING
Any intersection of ways with a railroad right-of-way.
RESTRICTED ROADWAY
A portion of a way or street (or entire street or way) within the City which has been designated as open only to certain types of vehicles.
ROADWAY
That portion of a street or highway between the regularly established curblines or that part, exclusive of shoulders, improved and intended to be used for vehicular traffic.
SAFETY ZONE
Any area or space set aside within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which has been indicated by signs, lines or markings, which conforms to the standards prescribed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
SERVICE ZONE
An area in the roadway set aside for the accommodation of commercial and transient vehicular traffic.
SIDEWALK
That portion of a street or highway set aside for pedestrian travel.
STREET or HIGHWAY
The entire width between property lines of every way open to the use of the public for purposes of travel.
TAXICAB STAND
An area in the roadway in which certain taxicabs are required to park while waiting to be engaged.
TRAFFIC
Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles or other conveyances, either single or together, while using any street or highway for the purpose of travel.
TRAFFIC CONTROL AREA
Any area along any way, other than an intersecting way, at which drivers are to be controlled by traffic control signals.
TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL
Any device using colored lights which conforms to the standards as prescribed by the Department of Transportation of the commonwealth, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic may be alternately directed to stop and to proceed.[2]
TRAFFIC ISLAND
Any area or space set aside, within a roadway, which is not intended for use by vehicular traffic.
U-TURN
The turning of a vehicle by means of continuous left turn whereby the direction of such vehicle is reversed.
VEHICLE
Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, including bicycles when the provisions of these rules are applicable to them, except other devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks and devices which derive their power for operation from stationary overhead wires.
[1]
Editor's Note: Throughout this chapter, references to the Massachusetts Highway Department were amended to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
[Amended 5-30-1972]
It shall be the duty of officers designated by the Chief of Police to enforce the provisions of this chapter. Such officers are authorized to direct all traffic either in person or by means of visible or audible signals in conformance with the provisions of this chapter, provided that, in the event of a fire or other emergency, to expedite traffic or safeguard pedestrians, officers of the Police or Fire Department may direct traffic, as conditions may require, notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter.
[Amended 5-30-1972]
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to operators actually engaged in work upon a street or highway closed to travel or under construction or repair, to officers when engaged in the performance of public duties or to drivers of emergency vehicles while operating in an emergency and in performance of public duties when the nature of the work of any of these necessitates a departure from any part of this chapter. These exemptions shall not, however, protect the driver of any vehicle from the consequences of a reckless disregard of the safety of others.
[Amended 5-30-1972]
If any vehicle is found upon any street or highway in violation of any provision of this chapter and the identity of the driver cannot be determined, the owner or the person in whose name such vehicle is registered shall be held prima facie responsible for such violation.
[Amended 5-30-1972; 7-11-2000]
For purposes of trial, the Municipal Council may make temporary ordinances regulating traffic or test under actual conditions traffic signs, signals, markings or other devices. No such experimental ordinance regulating traffic shall remain in effect for a period of time longer than 30 days, and such temporary ordinances before becoming effective shall be approved in conformance with the standards prescribed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
[Amended 5-30-1972]
The Chief of Police is authorized to close temporarily any street or highway in an impending or existing emergency or for any lawful assemblage, demonstration or procession, provided that there is reasonable justification for the closing of such street.
[Amended 5-30-1972; 11-28-1978]
A. 
The Chief of Police is authorized to prohibit temporarily the parking on any street or highway or any part thereof in an impending or existing emergency or for a lawful assemblage, demonstration, or procession, provided that there is, in the opinion of the Chief of Police, reasonable justification for such action. Vehicles parked in places where parking has been temporarily prohibited may be moved or towed under the direction of a police officer. In addition, the Chief of Police is authorized to temporarily prohibit or alter the direction of traffic of motor vehicles on any street or highway or part thereof if there is an impending or existing emergency requiring, in the opinion of the Chief of Police, such action.
B. 
The owner of any vehicle removed or towed under the provisions of this section shall be punished as provided in § 405-22.
[Amended 5-30-1972]
A. 
All of the territory within 200 feet of the premises of each hospital in this City is hereby created and established as a zone of quiet. The Chief of Police is hereby authorized to erect and maintain in a conspicuous manner within this area such signs and markings as are necessary to designate it as a zone of quiet.
B. 
The Chief of Police may temporarily establish a zone of quiet upon any street where a person is seriously ill, if requested to do so by the written statement of one registered physician certifying to its necessity. Such temporary zone of quiet shall embrace all territory within a radius of 200 feet of the building occupied by the person named in the request of such physician. Such temporary zone of quiet shall be designated by the police by placing at a conspicuous place in the street a sign or marker bearing the words "Zone of Quiet."
C. 
No person operating a motor vehicle within any designated zone of quiet shall sound the horn or other warning device except in an emergency.
[Amended 5-30-1972; 7-11-2000]
The Committee may designate school zones at and near school buildings and cause to be erected and maintained on the ways approaching thereto official signs easily visible to and warning drivers of vehicles of their approach to a school zone which shall be effective during the school year. All persons driving or in charge of a vehicle, when approaching a school zone while such signs are maintained, where pedestrians are crossing or waiting to cross a public way, shall slow down and stop if necessary to prevent injury to persons.
[Added 12-19-2000]
A. 
All vehicles driving on the roadways and property within the boundaries of the Chamberlain and Friedman Schools shall not exceed the speed of 10 miles per hour and shall slow down and stop whenever necessary to allow pedestrians to cross said ways. Signs shall be posted on said property indicating the speed, which shall not exceed 10 miles per hour.
B. 
Violation of the above provisions shall be punishable in accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 90, § 20.
[Amended 3-21-1978]
A. 
All vehicles driving on the roadways and property within the boundaries of the Taunton High School shall not exceed the speed of 20 miles per hour and shall slow down and stop whenever necessary to allow pedestrians to cross said ways. Signs shall be posted on said property indicating the speed which shall not exceed 20 miles per hour.
B. 
Violation of the above provisions shall be punishable in accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 90, § 20.
[Amended 7-18-1978]
A. 
No parking shall be allowed on any of the roadways entering the high school property or on the roadways within the high school property.
B. 
Parking shall be authorized only in those lots designated as parking areas.
[Amended 5-30-1972]
No person traveling upon a bicycle, motorcycle, coaster, sled, roller skates or any toy vehicle shall cling to or attach himself/herself or his/her vehicle to any other moving vehicle upon any roadway, nor shall he/she ride upon any moving vehicle without the consent of the person in charge thereof.
[Amended 5-30-1972; 7-11-2000]
A funeral composed entirely or partly of a procession of vehicles shall be identified as such by means of pennants attached to both the first and the last vehicles, and all vehicles in such procession shall have their headlamps on.
[Amended 5-30-1972]
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 or red and 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.
[Amended 5-30-1972]
No person shall park a vehicle on any street or highway for the sole purpose of displaying advertising signs.
[Amended 5-30-1972]
No person shall operate any vehicle on any street or way in the City for the primary purpose of advertising by sound or display without a license therefor from the Chief of Police or the Committee. No such license shall be granted for use on the days during which any municipal, state or national primaries or elections are held.
[Amended 5-30-1972[1]]
The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in the injury or death of any person or damage in excess of $1,000 to any one vehicle or other property shall report such accident to the Police Department and to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in compliance with the requirements of MGL c. 90, § 26.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
[Amended 5-30-1972]
The Chief of Police shall make an annual report concerning the accident situation in the City, accompanied by his/her recommendations.
[Amended 5-30-1972]
A. 
The police shall keep a record of all operators involved in accidents within the municipality.
B. 
The Chief of Police shall report to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles such operators as are found to be constant violators of this chapter.
[Amended 5-30-1972]
The Chief of Police shall include in the report to the Municipal Council:
A. 
The number of operators reported to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.
B. 
Other pertinent data on safety activities accompanied by his/her recommendations.
C. 
The plans and recommendations for future traffic safety activities.
[As amended through 11-14-2006; subsequent amendments noted where applicable]
A. 
Any person who violates any parking provisions of Article III or IV of this chapter shall, in accordance with MGL c. 90, § 20A1/2, as amended, be subject to a penalty of $20, provided that such payment is received within 21 days of the date that the ticket for such violation is issued. If payment is not received within such twenty-one-day period, the penalty for each such violation shall be an additional $10. If payment is not made prior to the Parking Clerk's report to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, the penalty due the City shall be further increased by an additional $10 for a total fine of $40 in addition to such penalty amount as may be charged by the commonwealth.
[Amended 12-13-2011[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
B. 
Any person who violates the provisions of § 405-7 or parks so as to interfere with or impede the plowing or removal of snow and ice or is in violation of Article VII (Snow Emergency Regulations) shall be subject to a fine of $30 for each such violation, provided that payment of said $30 is received within 21 days of the date that the ticket for said violation is issued. If said fine is not paid within 21 days from the date the ticket is issued, the penalty for each such violation shall be an additional $10 for a total of $40.
C. 
Any person who violates the provisions of these Revised Ordinances so as to park a motor vehicle at a spot designated for handicapped persons only shall be subject to a fine of $300 for each such violation, provided that payment of said $300 is received within 21 days of the date that the ticket for said violation is issued [$300 is governed by MGL c. 40, § 21(24), fine not to exceed $300]. If the fine is not paid within 21 days from the date the ticket is issued, the penalty for each such violation shall be an additional $50. If such payment is not made prior to the Parking Clerk's report to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, the penalty shall be further increased by an additional $50 for a total fine of $400.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
D. 
Any unauthorized person who removes, damages or tampers with any of said signs displayed under the authority of § 405-7 or Article VII shall be punished as provided in § 1-5 of these Revised Ordinances for each offense.
E. 
Any and all fines collected from handicap parking violations in the City of Taunton shall be disposed of pursuant to § 10-32 of these ordinances.
[Amended 3-22-2016]