Massachusetts Law About Traffic Violations
See Also:
Massachusetts Laws
- St.2010, c.155 Safe Driving Law. Effective September 30, 2010. Bans texting, limits cell phone use while driving. New requirements for drivers over 75, more.
- MGL c.89, s.7C Move Over Law. Requires drivers to move "into a lane not adjacent to that of the emergency response vehicle, highway maintenance vehicle or recovery vehicle" whenever possible.
- MGL c.90, Motor Vehicles
- MGL c.90, s.7AA Child passenger restraints
- MGL c.90C Procedure for Motor Vehicle Offenses
- Civil Motor Vehicle Assessment Schedule, effective October 29, 2010. Mass. District Court. Lists offenses by MGL or CMR citation with their penalties.
Massachusetts Regulations
211 CMR 74 Standards of Fault
211 CMR 134 Safe Driver Insurance Plan Lists minor and major traffic accidents and offenses which subject the violator to "points" on their auto insurance.
540 CMR Registry of Motor Vehicles
700 CMR 7.04 Electronic Toll Collection
Federal Regulations
76 FR 75470 Restricting the Use of Cellular Phones by Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers, as corrected by 76 FR 82179, effective January 3, 2012. Restricts the use of
hand-held mobile telephones by drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs)
Selected Case Law
Gillespie v. City of Northampton, 460 Mass. 148 (2011). "[T]he imposition of $275 in filing fees to obtain judicial review of a final decision of a municipal parking clerk regarding a parking citation [does not offend] the Massachusetts Constitution."
Police Department of Salem v. Sullivan, 460 Mass. 637 (2011). Court OKs substantial filing fees to contest civil motor vehicle citations.
Court Rules
Uniform Rules on Civil Motor Vehicle Infractions
Civil Motor Vehicle Infractions Assessment Schedule, effective Feb. 27, 2008.
Other Web Sources
AAA Digest of Motor Laws. An "online compendium of laws and rules related to driving and owning a motor vehicle in the United States and Canada." Select a topic such as accident reporting, move over law, seatbelts and more, and get easy access to the laws of all 50 states.
Beat Your Ticket: Go to Court & Win, Nolo, 2010. Includes discussion on speed detectors, presenting your case, traffic rules for all 50 states and more. Requires Library Card for access.
Cell Phone and Texting Laws, Governors Highway Safety Association, 2011. Outlines all state cell phone and text messaging laws.
Civil Motor Vehicle Infractions: Frequently Asked Questions, Mass. District Court. Covers nineteen issues concerning what may happen after you receive a traffic ticket.
Hear Siren's Song? Get Moving, Boston Globe, December 17, 2006. This week we tackle the legalities of police vehicles. Are they different than other cars on the road? Does a cruiser have the right of way, even when its lights and siren are off? Can an officer break traffic laws -- speed, park illegally, blow through red lights -- whenever he or she sees fit?
High Beams Brought to Light, Boston Globe, August 26, 2007. Answers all those pesky questions about lights and cars, like Is it sometimes illegal to use your high beams? And What about the use of flashing lights?
How to Win Your Case in Traffic Court Without a Lawyer, Atlantic Publishing, 2009. While not specific to Massachusetts, provides helpful information on how to prepare to go to court to contest a ticket. Requires Library Card for access.
Information About US State Highway Safety Laws, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Details selected motor vehicle laws by state, including cell phone laws, licensing systems for young drivers, helmet laws and more.
Mandatory License Suspensions, Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Federal Highway Administration, 2009 edition. MUTCD defines the standards used nationwide to install and maintain the signs, signals, and pavement markings on all streets and highways. See also:Massachusetts Amendments to the 2009 MUTCD (2012).
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles. An online version of the booklet you get along with your Learner's Permit, this site includes all the key information needed to drive legally in Massachusetts. Chapters include: obtaining your license, keeping your license, rules of the road and more.
Pay a Citation Online, Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Safe Driver Insurance Plan, Mass. Division of Insurance. "How SDIP Works, Appealing Surcharges, Hearing Locations and More."
Safe Driving Law, Mass. Dept. of Transportation. Handy summary of the new safe driving law and penalties.
Vehicular Crimes, Mass. District Attorneys Association.