[1]
Editor's Note: MGL Chapter 89 governs.
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 safety operation of any vehicle ahead.
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 visible signal being given by the driver of the overtaking vehicle, and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
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 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 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.
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 streetcar 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, said 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.
No person shall operate a vehicle contrary to any mandatory posted turning sign, signal or marker.
The operator of a vehicle emerging from an alley, driveway or a garage shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving on to a sidewalk or on to the sidewalk area extending across the alleyway or driveway.
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 § 439-51B 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.
A. 
Green indications shall have the following meanings:
(1) 
Drivers facing a circular green may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless as 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.
(2) 
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.
B. 
Steady yellow indications shall have the following meanings:
(1) 
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.
C. 
Steady red indications shall have the following meanings:
(1) 
Drivers facing a steady circular red or steady red arrow 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 C(2) 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 or steady red arrow 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.
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 of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the provisions of c. 89, § 8, of the General Laws.
(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.
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 any street designated as prohibiting such in Schedule I.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 439-86, Schedule I: Parking.
A. 
Stop signs. In accordance with the provisions of c.89, § 9, of the General Laws the following streets are designated as stop streets at the intersection and in the direction indicated in Schedule IV.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 439-89, Schedule IV: Stop Signs.
B. 
Yield signs. In accordance with the provisions of c. 89, § 9, of the General Laws the following streets are designated as yield streets at the intersections and in the direction indicated in Schedule V.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See § 439-90, Schedule V: Yield Signs.
C. 
In accordance with the foregoing, the streets listed in Schedules IV and V of these rules and orders are hereby declared to constitute stop, yield or flashing red signal intersections as the case may be, and said Schedules IV and V are 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 a division except when otherwise directed by an officer, signs, signals, or markings.
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 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.
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.
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 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 following named streets or parts thereof, and in the manner outlined and during the period of time set forth:
(1) 
Highland Street from Hillside Avenue to Friend Street.
(2) 
Portsmouth Road/Goss Avenue from Elm Street to Monroe Street.
(3) 
Main Street and Evans Place from Powow Bridge to Deer Island Bridge.
(4) 
Rocky Hill Road from Macy Street to Main Street.
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.
A. 
No person operating a motor vehicle on any way shall run it at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper, having regard to traffic and the use of the way and the safety of the public. Unless a way is otherwise posted in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws c. 90, § 18, it shall be prima facie evidence of a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper as aforesaid 1) on any other way outside a thickly settled or business district at a rate of speed exceeding 40 miles per hour for a distance of 1/4 a mile, or 2) inside a thickly settled or business district at a rate of speed exceeding 30 miles per hour for a distance of 1/8 of a mile, or 3) within a school zone established by the City as provided by Massachusetts General Laws c. 85, § 2, at a rate of speed exceeding 20 miles per hour. If a speed limit has been duly established upon any way, operation of a motor vehicle at a rate of speed in excess of such a limit shall be prima facie evidence that such speed is greater than reasonable and proper.
B. 
Notwithstanding any contrary provisions contained herein, a speed limit of 25 miles per hour shall be in effect for any roadway inside a thickly settled or business district in the City on any way that is not a state highway unless otherwise posted.
[Added 5-12-2021 by Bill No. 2021-048]