[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
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 lane to lane in which he/she is driving until he/she has first ascertained if such movement can be made with safety.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
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.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
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.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
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 in favor of the overtaking vehicle, on suitable and audible signal being given by the driver of the overtaking vehicle, and shall not increase the speed of his/her vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
(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/she is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians notwithstanding any traffic control signal indication to proceed.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
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.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
It shall be unlawful for any person traveling upon a bicycle, motorcycle, coaster, sled, roller skates, or any toy vehicle to cling to, attach him/herself or his/her vehicle to any moving vehicle or street car upon any roadway.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
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, said driver shall wait for a more favorable opportunity to make such 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 the following section.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
(A) 
Any signal herein required shall be given sufficient time in advance of the movement indicated to give ample warning to any person who may be affected by said movement, and shall be given either by means of the hand and arm in the manner specified or by a suitable mechanical or electrical device, except that when a vehicle is so constructed or loaded so as to prevent the hand and arm signal from being made or from being visible both to the front and rear, the signal shall be given by a suitable device.
(B) 
Hand and arm signals, as required herein shall be made as follows:
(1) 
An intention to stop shall be indicated by extending the arm horizontally to the left of and beyond the side of the vehicle.
(2) 
An intention to turn to the left shall be indicated by extending the arm horizontally to the left of and beyond the side of the vehicle, and by pointing to the left with the index finger.
(3) 
An intention to turn to the right shall be indicated by extending the arm horizontally to the left of and beyond the side of the vehicle, and by moving the hand in a circle.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
The following left or right turns are prohibited:
Arlington Street: Northbound turning right onto Grove Street eastbound. Right lane must turn right.
Baptist Walk: No left turn southbound onto Spring Street.
Galen Street: No vehicle traveling in a northerly direction on Galen Street shall make a left turn into Watertown Street between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Galen Street: No vehicle traveling in a southerly direction on Galen Street shall make a left turn into Nonantum Road between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Galen Street: No vehicle traveling in a southerly direction on Galen Street shall make a left turn into Water Street (lower) between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Hall Avenue: No vehicle traveling northerly on Hall Avenue shall make a left-hand turn to enter Belmont Street.
Main Street: No right turn into the MBTA property at Pleasant Street.
Mt. Auburn Street: No left turn into west-most entrance of No. 49 Mt. Auburn Street.
Nonantum Road: No vehicle traveling in a westerly direction on Nonantum Road shall make a left turn into Galen Street.
Parker Street: No right turn onto Garnet Street from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Pleasant Street: No left turn onto Main Street westbound.
Templeton Parkway: No left turn from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. southbound at Mt. Auburn Street.
Water Street: (North-most) No vehicle traveling westerly on Water Street shall make a left-hand turn to Galen Street.
Winsor Avenue: No vehicle traveling in a northerly direction on Winsor Avenue shall make a left turn into Belmont Street.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
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 an alleyway or driveway.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
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 Section 22B of these Rules and Orders. 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) 
Green indications shall have the following meanings:
(1) 
Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal indication is permitted to proceed straight through or turn right or left or make a U-turn unless such movement is modified by lane use signs, lane markings, roadway design, separate turn signal indications or other traffic control devices. Vehicular traffic turning right or left or making a U-turn 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.
(2) 
Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal indication displayed alone or in combination with another signal indication, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow or such other movements as are permitted by other indications displayed 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.
(B) 
Steady yellow indications shall have the following meanings:
(1) 
Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal is 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.
(C) 
Steady red indications shall have the following meanings:
(1) 
Vehicular traffic 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 below.
(2) 
When no sign is in place prohibiting a right turn, or a left turn from a one-way street to another 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 (C)(1) above. Such drivers shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
(3) 
Vehicular traffic 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.
(D) 
Flashing signal indication shall have the following meanings:
(1) 
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 drivers have a view approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection and the right to proceed shall be subject to the provisions of Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 89, § 8.
(2) 
Flashing yellow (caution signal). When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or pass such signal only with caution.
(3) 
Flashing yellow arrow.
(a) 
Vehicular traffic, on an approach to an intersection, facing a flashing yellow arrow signal indication, displayed alone or in combination with another signal indication, is permitted to cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow, or other such movement as is permitted by other signal indications displayed at the same time. Such vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left or making a U-turn, shall yield the right-of-way to:
1. 
Pedestrians lawfully within an associated crosswalk; and
2. 
Other vehicles lawfully within the intersection.
(b) 
In addition, vehicular traffic turning left or making a U-turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles approaching from the opposite direction so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time when such turning vehicle is moving across or within the intersection.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
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 the following streets:
Arsenal Street from 378 Arsenal Street to 450 Arsenal Street
Galen Street from Mt. Auburn Street Extension to Aldrich Road
Main Street from Mt. Auburn Street at Beacon Square to Green Street
Mt. Auburn Street from Arlington Street to Dexter Avenue
Mt. Auburn Street from Main Street at Beacon Square to Summer Street
Pearl Street from Summer Street to Palfrey Street
Warren Street from the east side of Chapman Street to 99 feet west of Cleveland Road
[Passed 10-15-2015]
Winter Street from Summer Street to Fayette Street
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
(A) 
Every driver of a vehicle, railway car or other conveyance approaching an intersection of ways where there exists facing him or her an official sign bearing the word "Stop" or a flashing red signal indication, said signs or signal having apart from these Rules and Orders, the written approval of the Traffic Commission, 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 or crosswalk of the said intersection. In the case of a line of two or more vehicles approaching such "Stop" sign, or, flashing red signal indication, the drivers of the second and third vehicles in any group shall not be required to stop more than once before proceeding through 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 as provided in Subsection (C) of § 73.722 of this article.
(B) 
In accordance with the foregoing, the streets listed in Schedule IV of these Rules and Orders are hereby declared to constitute isolated stop streets or flashing red signal intersections as the case may be, and said Schedule IV is hereby specifically incorporated in this section.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 73.906, Schedule IV, Isolated Stop Signs.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
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.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
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.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
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 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 City either audibly or by signals.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
The driver of a vehicle shall not drive upon any sidewalk except at a permanent or temporary driveway.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
It shall be unlawful for the driver of a vehicle, except on signal from a police officer to drive over or through a safety zone.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
A funeral composed entirely or partly of a procession of vehicles shall be identified as such by means of black pennants bearing a purple cross attached to both the first and last vehicles, or other suitable means.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
(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 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.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
Whoever willfully interrupts of by fast driving or otherwise in any way disturbs a funeral assembly or procession shall be punished by a fine of not more than $50.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
Whistles used by any police officer in directing traffic shall have the following meaning:
(A) 
One blast of a police officer's whistle at an intersection, all moving vehicular traffic shall come to a stop when pedestrians may cross the street.
(B) 
Two blasts of a police officer's whistle followed by a warning hand signal shall indicate termination of the pedestrian crossing interval and vehicular traffic shall proceed on receiving a hand signal from a police officer.
(C) 
Three or more blasts of a whistle given by an officer shall indicate the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle when both vehicular and pedestrian traffic shall immediately stop or proceed as directed by the police officer.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
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.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
(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 following named streets, or parts thereof, and in the manner outlined and during the period of time set forth.
Aldrich Road, during the period between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of each day
Coolidge Avenue, from Grove Street to Cambridge line, 24 hours
Frank Street, during the twenty-four-hour period of each day
George Street, from Channing Road in a southerly direction between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. when school is in session
[Passed 7-12-2016]
Green Street, from Main Street to Pleasant Street during the twenty-four-hour period of each day
Lexington Street, from Main Street to Acton Street during the twenty-four-hour period of each day
Morse Street, during the period between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of each day
Morton Street, during the twenty-four-hour period of each day
North Beacon Court, during the twenty-four-hour period of each day
Oakland Street, from Main Street to Acton Street during the twenty-four-hour period of each day
Pilgrim Road, during the twenty-four-hour period of each day
Rosedale Road, from Main Street to Acton Street during the twenty-four-hour period of each day
Waltham Street, from Rosedale Road to Bridge Street during the twenty-four-hour period of each day
(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 utilities therein; or to federal, state, municipal or public service corporation owned vehicles.
(C) 
For the purpose of including any public way in the City known as the "Town of Watertown "and to establish a uniform fine: All heavy commercial vehicles or any motor vehicle engaged in the transportation of hazardous materials shall conform to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles regulations; Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) Chapter 14:00, Sections 14:01 through 14:07. Any violation of CMR 14:00 through 14:07 on any public way in the City known as the "Town of Watertown," shall be punished for such violation as provided in Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 85, § 2b: fine of $500.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
No person operating a vehicle shall enter the following streets in the direction indicated at the intersections listed where official signs bearing the legend "DO NOT ENTER" are in place facing him or her.
Bemis Street, from Westminster Avenue in an easterly direction between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when school is in session
[Passed 10-19-2019]
Chauncey Street, from Boylston Street in a northerly direction, between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. when school is in session
[Passed 7-22-2020]
Concord Road, from 49 Boylston Street in an easterly direction between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. when school is in session
[Passed 7-22-2020]
Concord Road, from 117 Boylston Street in an easterly direction between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. when school is in session
[Passed 7-22-2020]
Lincoln Street, from Walnut Street in a northeasterly direction between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day
Lower Water Street, from Galen Street in a southeasterly direction between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day.
Winthrop Street, from Mt. Auburn Street in a southerly direction, buses, staff, and residents only between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. when school is in session
[Passed 7-22-2020]
Woodleigh Road, Do not enter between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day southbound at Belmont Street
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
In accordance with the provisions of Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 90, § 18 (Ter. Ed.), as amended by Chapter 338 of the Acts of 1962, special speed regulations have been established in the streets listed under Schedule VI, Speed Regulations.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 73.908, Schedule VI, Speed Regulations.
[Town Manager, passed 5-7-1991]
(A) 
Any person who operates a motor vehicle defined by Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 90, § 1, or any four-wheeled motorized loader, backhoe, bobcat loader or similar equipment that is capable or designed for the throwing, pushing, placing, moving or piling of any snow or ice, shall be prohibited from plowing, pushing, moving, placing or piling any snow or ice onto a public way, sidewalk or median.
(B) 
Penalties.
(1) 
First offense in a calendar year: $500;
(2) 
Second offense: $750; and
(3) 
Third or subsequent offense: $1,000.
(C) 
Snow removal vehicles owned by the City of Watertown or contracted by the City shall be exempt while engaged in an official capacity.
(D) 
A violation may be established by probable cause.