(MGL Chapter 89 governs.)
[Added 3-26-1996]
A. 
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.
B. 
No-passing zones are established as to streets in accordance with a schedule of streets designated as Appendix VII, Section 7-1, hereto appended, to which reference is made and which Appendix VII, Section 7-1, is specifically incorporated in this section.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix VII is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 7.2, Driver to give way to overtaking vehicle, was repealed 4-12-2022.
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 the driver is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding any traffic control signal 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.
[Amended 4-12-2022]
It shall be unlawful for any person traveling upon a bicycle, motorcycle, moped, coaster, sled, roller skates, roller blades, scooter, skateboard or any similar toy vehicle to cling to or attach themselves or their vehicle to any moving vehicle or street car upon any roadway.
[Amended 4-12-2022]
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 the operation of another vehicle or bicycle should be affected by a stopping or turning movement, the driver of such vehicle or bicycle shall be given a plainly visible signal, as required by the following section.
[Added 10-11-1973; amended 6-24-1983; 4-9-1986; 10-25-1996]
Turning movements are prohibited or permitted upon certain sections of a number of streets as designated in Appendix VII, Section 7-7, hereto appended, to which reference is made and which Appendix VII, Section 7-7, relative to prohibited and mandatory turning movements, is specifically incorporated in this section.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix VII is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[Added 10-25-1996; amended 4-12-2022]
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 the alleyway or driveway; 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 way the operator shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles approaching on the way.
[Amended 10-25-1996]
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, or except as provided in § 580-7.18B of these rules. 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 indicators shall have the following meanings: 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 the drivers shall not enter the intersection.
(3) 
Steady red indications shall have the following meanings:
(a) 
Drivers 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 A(3)(b) below.
(b) 
When no sign is in place prohibiting a right turn, or a left turn from a 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 A(3)(a) above. Such drivers shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully using the intersection.
(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.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection 4, regarding red and yellow indications, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 4-12-2022.
(4) 
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 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, driver of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or pass such signal only with caution.
B. 
Traffic control signals are established as to streets in accordance with a schedule of streets designated as Appendix VII, Section 7-9, hereto appended, to which reference is made and which Appendix VII, Section 7-9, is specifically incorporated in this section.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Appendix VII is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[Added 10-25-1996]
No operator shall back or turn a vehicle so as to proceed in the direction opposite to that in which said vehicle is headed or traveling on streets listed in Appendix VII, Section 7-10, of these rules and orders and are hereby declared to constitute "No U-Turn" street locations, and said Appendix VII, Section 7-10, is hereby specifically incorporated in this section.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix VII is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[Amended 10-25-1996]
A. 
Stop signs. In accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 89, § 9, the streets listed in Appendix VII, Section 7-11A, of these rules and orders are hereby declared to constitute stop streets or flashing red signal intersections as the case may be, and said Appendix VII, Section 7-11A, is hereby specifically incorporated in this section.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix VII is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B. 
Yield signs. In accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 89, § 9, the streets listed in Appendix VII, Section 7-11B, of these rules and orders are hereby declared to constitute yield intersections, and said Appendix VII, Section 7-11B, is hereby specifically incorporated in this section.
C. 
Through ways. In accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 89, § 9, the streets listed in Appendix VII, Section 7-11C, of these rules and orders are hereby designated as through ways, and said Appendix VII, Section 7-11C, 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 division except when otherwise directed by an officer, signs, signals or markings.
A. 
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.
B. 
In accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 89, § 9, the directions at intersections listed in Appendix VII, Section 7-13, of these rules and orders are hereby specifically incorporated in this section.[1]
[Added 10-25-1996]
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix VII is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[Amended 10-25-1996]
No operator shall enter upon the 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, security person, 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 a police officer, to drive the same over or through a safety zone.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 7.17, Funerals to be properly identified, was repealed 4-12-2022.
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 10-25-1996]
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.
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 streets or parts thereof listed in Appendix VII, Section 7-20, and in the manner outlined and during the period of time set forth.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix VII is included as an attachment to this chapter.
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 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 said streets or public utilities therein; or to federal, state, municipal or public service corporation owned vehicles.
[Amended 4-12-2022]
[Added 10-25-1996]
A. 
In accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 90, § 18, special speed regulations are hereby adopted by the Town Council and approved by the Department of Transportation and the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, acting jointly.
B. 
In accordance with the foregoing, the streets listed in Appendix VII, Section 7-21, of these rules and orders are hereby declared to constitute special speed regulations, and said Appendix VII, Section 7-21, is hereby specifically incorporated in this section.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix VII is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[Added 4-17-1990]
On a way or property under the control of the School Committee, when approaching a vehicle which displays a sign bearing the words "School Bus" and which is equipped with front and rear alternating flashing red signal lamps which are flashing as provided in MGL c. 90, § 7B, and which has stopped to allow pupils to alight or board same, a person operating a motor vehicle shall bring said person's vehicle to a full stop before reaching said school bus and shall not thereafter proceed until the warning lights are deactivated, unless directed to do the contrary by a police officer or other person authorized to control the movement of traffic. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100.