reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 11 - Carrying Certificate of Registration and License; Presentation After Accident Upon Request

Section 11. Every person operating a motor vehicle shall have the certificate of registration for the vehicle and for the trailer, if any, and his license to operate, upon his person or in the vehicle, in some easily accessible place, except that the certificates of registration of dealers, manufacturers, repairmen, owner-repairmen, farmers or dealers in both boats and boat trailers need not be so carried; provided, however, that the certificate of registration of a person who is operating a motor vehicle in accordance with the provisions of the last sentence of the fifth paragraph of section two need not be so carried; and, provided further, that in the case of a rental vehicle, a photostat copy of the certificate of registration, accompanied by the rental agreement, shall be sufficient to comply with the provisions of this section. If for any reason the registrar or his agents are unable to issue promptly to an applicant the certificate of registration or the license applied for, they may issue a receipt for the fee paid, and said receipt shall be carried in lieu of the certificate or license as the case may be, and for a period of sixty days from the date of its issue said receipt shall have the same force and effect given to the certificate or license by this chapter. If, in compliance with a written demand of the registrar or any of his authorized agents, a certificate of registration or license to operate is returned for inspection or for any other purpose, except for suspension or revocation, such written demand shall be carried in lieu of the certificate or license, as the case may be, and for the period of sixty days from its date said demand shall have the same force and effect given to the certificate or license by this chapter. Any operator who knowingly collides with or causes injury to any person or damage to any property shall, upon the request of the person injured or the person owning or in charge of the property damaged, plainly exhibit to such person his license and, if required under the provisions of this chapter to carry the certificate of registration for the vehicle upon his person or in the vehicle, such certificate.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 12 - Employing Unlicensed Motor Vehicle Operator; Permitting Person With Suspended or Revoked License to Operate Motor Vehicle; Permitting Person With Ignition Interlock Devise License Restriction to Operate Motor Vehicle Without Devise; Penalties

Section 12. (a) Whoever knowingly employs for hire as a motor vehicle operator any person not licensed in accordance with this chapter shall be punished for a first offense by a fine of not more than $1,000 and, for a second or subsequent offense, by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $1,500 or imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 1 year, or both such fine and imprisonment.
(b) Whoever, being the owner or person in control of a motor vehicle, knowingly permits such motor vehicle to be operated by a person who is unlicensed or whose license has been suspended or revoked shall be punished for a first offense by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than 1 year or, for a second or subsequent offense by a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $1,500 or imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than 21/2 years, or both such fine and imprisonment.
(c) Whoever knowingly permits a motor vehicle owned by him or under his control, which is not equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device, to be operated by a person who has an ignition interlock restricted license shall be punished by 1 year in the house of correction and a fine of not more than $500 for a first offense or, for a second or subsequent offense by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than 21/2 years, or both. For the purposes of this section the term ''certified ignition interlock device'' shall mean an alcohol breath screening device that prevents a vehicle from starting if it detects a blood alcohol concentration over a preset limit of.02 or 20 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.
(d) The registrar may suspend for not more than 1 year the motor vehicle registration of a vehicle used in the commission of a violation of this section or the license or right to operate of the person who commits a violation of this section, or both.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 12a - Use of Mobile Telephone, Hands-Free Mobile Telephone or Other Mobile Electronic Device by Operator of Vehicle or Vessel Used in Public Transportation Prohibited; Penalties; Affirmative Defenses

Section 12A. (a) No operator of a vehicle or vessel used in public transportation, including a train, passenger bus, school bus or other vehicle used to transport pupils, passenger ferry boat, water shuttle or other equipment used in public transportation owned by, or operated under the authority of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority, Massachusetts Port Authority, or the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, shall use a mobile telephone, hands-free mobile telephone or other mobile electronic device while operating such vehicle or vessel; provided, however that this section shall not apply to the operator of a vehicle or vessel used in public transportation using a mobile telephone, hands-free mobile telephone or mobile electronic device in the performance of the operator's official duties; provided, however, that in order for the use of any such device to be made ''in the performance of the operator's official duties,'' such use must have been made in conformance with applicable written guidelines issued by a public entity listed in this paragraph relative to circumstances when operators are permitted to use said devices in the performance of their official duties or pursuant to directives from federal authorities having regulatory jurisdiction over such public entity's operations.
Whoever violates this section shall be punished by a fine of $500. A violation of this section occurring on a way intended for motor vehicles shall be a surchargeable incident under section 113B of chapter 175 or under a motor vehicle liability policy as defined in section 34A that is issued pursuant to said chapter 175.
(b) It shall be an affirmative defense for an operator under this section to produce evidence that the use of a mobile telephone that is the basis of the alleged violation was in the case of an emergency. For the purpose of this paragraph, an emergency shall mean that the operator needed to communicate with another to report any of the following: (1) that the vehicle or vessel was disabled; (2) that medical attention or assistance was required on the vehicle or vessel; (3) that police intervention, fire department or other emergency services was necessary for the personal safety of a passenger or to otherwise ensure the safety of the passengers; or (4) that a disabled vehicle or an accident was present on a roadway.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 13a - Seat Belt Use Required; Exemptions; Penalty

Section 13A. No person shall operate a private passenger motor vehicle or ride in a private passenger motor vehicle, a vanpool vehicle or truck under eighteen thousand pounds on any way unless such person is wearing a safety belt which is properly adjusted and fastened; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to:
(a) any child less than twelve years of age who is subject to the provisions of section seven AA;
(b) any person riding in a motor vehicle manufactured before July first, nineteen hundred and sixty-six;
(c) any person who is physically unable to use safety belts; provided, however, that such condition is duly certified by a physician who shall state the nature of the handicap, as well as the reasons such restraint is inappropriate; provided, further, that no such physician shall be subject to liability in any civil action for the issuance or for the failure to issue such certificate;
(d) any rural carrier of the United States Postal Service operating a motor vehicle while in the performance of his duties; provided, however, that such rural mail carrier shall be subject to department regulations regarding the use of safety belts or occupant crash protection devices;
(e) anyone involved in the operation of taxis, liveries, tractors, trucks with gross weight of eighteen thousand pounds or over, buses, and passengers of authorized emergency vehicles.
(f) the side facing seat on which the factory did not install a seat belt in any car owned for the purpose of antique collection.
Any person who operates a motor vehicle without a safety belt, and any person sixteen years of age or over who rides as a passenger in a motor vehicle without wearing a safety belt in violation of this section, shall be subject to a fine of twenty-five dollars. Any operator of a motor vehicle shall be subject to an additional fine of twenty-five dollars for each person under the age of sixteen and no younger than twelve who is a passenger in said motor vehicle and not wearing a safety belt. The provisions of this section shall be enforced by law enforcement agencies only when an operator of a motor vehicle has been stopped for a violation of the motor vehicle laws or some other offense.
Any person who receives a citation for violating this section may contest such citation pursuant to section three of chapter ninety C. A violation of this section shall not be considered as a conviction of a moving violation of the motor vehicle laws for the purpose of determining surcharges on motor vehicle premiums pursuant to section one hundred and thirteen B of chapter one hundred and seventy-five.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 13b - Composing, Sending or Reading of Electronic Messages While Operating a Motor Vehicle Prohibited; Emergencies; Penalties

Section 13B. (a) No operator of a motor vehicle shall hold a mobile electronic device. No operator of a motor vehicle shall use a mobile electronic device unless the device is being used in hands-free mode. No operator of a motor vehicle shall read or view text, images or video displayed on a mobile electronic device; provided, however, that an operator may view a map generated by a navigation system or application on a mobile electronic device that is mounted on or affixed to a vehicle's windshield, dashboard or center console in a manner that does not impede the operation of the motor vehicle. For the purposes of this section, an operator shall not be considered to be operating a motor vehicle if the vehicle is stationary and not located in a part of the public way intended for travel by a motor vehicle or bicycle.
(b) Evidence that the use of a mobile electronic device was in response to an emergency shall be an affirmative defense to an alleged violation of this section. For the purposes of this section, an emergency shall mean that the operator needed to report that: (i) the vehicle was disabled; (ii) medical attention or assistance was required; (iii) police intervention, fire department or other emergency services were necessary for the personal safety of the operator or a passenger or to otherwise ensure the safety of the public; or (iv) a disabled vehicle or an accident was present on a roadway.
(c) This section shall not apply to public safety personnel or emergency first responders using a mobile electronic device while operating an emergency services vehicle and engaged in the performance of their duties.
(d) A violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of $100 for a first offense, by a fine of $250 for a second offense and by a fine of $500 for a third or subsequent offense. In addition to any fines pursuant to this subsection, an operator who commits a second or subsequent offense under this section or section 8M shall be required to complete a program selected by the registrar of motor vehicles that encourages a change in driver behavior and attitude about distracted driving. Nothing in this subsection shall authorize the seizure or forfeiture of a hands-free mobile telephone or a mobile electronic device.
(e) A first or second offense under this section or section 8M shall not be a surchargeable incident under section 113B of chapter 175 or under a motor vehicle liability policy as defined in section 34A that is issued pursuant to said chapter 175; provided, however, that a third or subsequent offense under this section or section 8M shall be a surchargeable incident under said section 113B of said chapter 175 or under a motor vehicle liability policy as defined in said section 34A that is issued pursuant to said chapter 175.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 13c - Amphibious Sight-Seeing Vehicles; Operation on Public Ways; Penalties

Section 13C. (a) As used in this section, the term ''amphibious sight-seeing vehicle'' shall mean a motorized vehicle that is used for carrying, for consideration, persons for sight-seeing, touring or similar activities and that is designed to operate both on land and in the water including, but not limited to, vehicles commonly referred to as DUKWs, LARCs, Stalwarts, hybrids and United States Coast Guard certified amphibians.
(b) An amphibious sight-seeing vehicle operating on a public way shall be equipped with safety equipment as prescribed by the registrar including, but not limited to, blind spot cameras and proximity sensors.
(c) A person shall not provide a guide service, narrate history, identify landmarks or sights or otherwise provide entertainment or information when operating an amphibious sight-seeing vehicle on a public way.
(d) Whoever violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500 for the first offense and by a fine of not more than $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense.
(e) The registrar shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 14a - Protection of Blind Pedestrians Crossing or Attempting to Cross Ways

Section 14A. Whenever a totally or partially blind pedestrian, guided by a guide dog or carrying in a raised or extended position a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white tipped with red, crosses or attempts to cross a way, the driver of every vehicle approaching the place where such pedestrian is crossing or attempting to cross shall bring his vehicle to a full stop, and before proceeding shall take such precautions as may be necessary to avoid injuring such pedestrian. A person who owns an animal shall restrain and control such animal on a leash when in proximity to a guide dog that is on a public or private way. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to deprive any totally or partially blind person, not carrying such a cane or walking stick or not being guided by a dog, of the rights and privileges conferred by law upon pedestrians crossing ways, nor shall the failure of such blind person to carry a cane or walking stick or to be guided by a guide dog while on the ways of this commonwealth be held to constitute or be evidence of contributory negligence. Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of no less than one hundred nor more than five hundred dollars.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 14b - Uniform Stopping and Turning Signals on Ways

Section 14B. Every person operating a motor vehicle, before stopping said vehicle or making any turning movement which would affect the operation of any other vehicle, shall give a plainly visible signal by activating the brake lights or directional lights or signal as provided on said vehicle; and in the event electrical or mechanical signals are not operating or not provided on the vehicle, a plainly visible signal by means of the hand and arm shall be made. Hand and arm signals shall be made as follows:—
1. An intention to turn to the left shall be indicated by hand and arm extended horizontally.
2. An intention to turn to the right shall be indicated by hand and arm extended upward.
3. An intention to stop or decrease speed shall be indicated by hand and arm extended downward.
Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars for each offense.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 15 - Precautions at Railroad Crossings

Section 15. Except as hereinafter otherwise provided, every person operating a motor vehicle, upon approaching a railroad crossing at grade, shall reduce the speed of the vehicle to a reasonable and proper rate before proceeding over the crossing, and shall proceed over the crossing at a rate of speed and with such care as is reasonable and proper under the circumstances. Every person operating a school bus, or any motor vehicle carrying explosive substances or flammable liquids as a cargo, or part of a cargo, upon approaching a railroad crossing at grade, shall bring his vehicle to a full stop not less than fifteen feet and not more than fifty feet from the nearest track of said railroad, and shall not proceed to cross until it is safe to do so. The operator of a school bus, in addition to bringing his vehicle to a full stop, as aforesaid, shall open the service door, ascertain if he may cross safely and thereupon close said door before proceeding. Every person operating any motor vehicle, upon approaching at grade a railroad crossing protected by red lights which flash as a warning, shall bring his vehicle to a full stop not less than fifteen feet and not more than fifty feet from the nearest track of said railroad and shall not proceed to cross until said lights stop flashing. Every person operating any motor vehicle, upon approaching at grade a railroad crossing protected by a lowered automatic gate, shall bring his vehicle to a full stop not less than fifteen feet and not more than fifty feet from the nearest track of said railroad and shall not proceed to cross until said automatic gate is raised. Every person operating any motor vehicle, upon approaching at grade a railroad crossing protected by a railroad employee waving a red flag or white lantern, shall bring his vehicle to a full stop not less than fifteen feet and not more than fifty feet from the nearest track of said railroad and shall not proceed to cross until said railroad employee signals that it is safe to do so. A railroad train approaching within approximately one thousand five hundred feet of a highway crossing shall emit a warning signal audible from such distance. Whoever violates any provisions of this section and is operating a school bus, or any motor vehicle carrying explosive substances or flammable liquids as a cargo or part of a cargo, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500 or by being required to perform a total of 100 hours of community service which may include service in the operation lifesaver program. All other persons violating the provisions of this section not operating a school bus, or any motor vehicle carrying explosive substances or flammable liquids as a cargo or part of a cargo, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $200 or by being required to perform a total of 50 hours of community service which may include service in the operation lifesaver program.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 16 - Offensive or Illegal Operation of Motor Vehicles

Section 16. No person shall operate a motor vehicle, nor shall any owner of such vehicle permit it to be operated, in or over any way, public or private, whether laid out under authority of law or otherwise, which motor vehicles are prohibited from using, provided notice of such prohibition is conspicuously posted at the entrance to such way. No person shall operate a motor vehicle, nor shall any owner of such vehicle permit it to be operated upon any way, except fire department and fire patrol apparatus, unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a muffler to prevent excessive or unnecessary noise, which muffler is in good working order and in constant operation, and complies with such minimum standards for construction and performance as the registrar may prescribe. No person shall use a muffler cut-out or by-pass. No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any way which motor vehicle is equipped (1) with a muffler from which the baffle plates, screens or other original internal parts have been removed and not replaced; or (2) with an exhaust system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust. No person operating a motor vehicle shall sound a bell, horn or other device, nor in any manner operate such motor vehicle so as to make a harsh, objectionable or unreasonable noise, nor permit to escape from such vehicle smoke or pollutants in such amounts or at such levels as may violate motor vehicle air pollution control regulations adopted under the provisions of chapter one hundred and eleven. No siren shall be mounted upon any motor vehicle except fire apparatus, ambulances, vehicles used in official line of duty by any member of the police or fire fighting forces of the commonwealth or any agency or political subdivision thereof, and vehicles owned by call fire fighters or by persons with police powers and operated in official line of duty, unless authorized by the registrar. No person shall use on or in connection with any motor vehicle a spot light, so called, the rays from which shine more than two feet above the road at a distance of thirty feet from the vehicle, except that such a spot light may be used for the purpose of reading signs, and as an auxiliary light in cases of necessity when the other lights required by law fail to operate.
No person, except a duly authorized person driving an emergency fire vehicle, shall operate a motor vehicle equipped with metal studded tires upon a public way between May the first and November the first; provided, however, the registrar may authorize the use of such tires before November the first, if weather conditions require the use thereof. Whoever violates the provisions of this paragraph shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 16a - Stopped Motor Vehicles; Operation of Engine; Time Limit; Penalty

Section 16A. No person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit the unnecessary operation of the engine of a motor vehicle while said vehicle is stopped for a foreseeable period of time in excess of five minutes. This section shall not apply to (a) vehicles being serviced, provided that operation of the engine is essential to the proper repair thereof, or (b) vehicles engaged in the delivery or acceptance of goods, wares, or merchandise for which engine assisted power is necessary and substitute alternate means cannot be made available, or (c) vehicles engaged in an operation for which the engine power is necessary for an associate power need other than movement and substitute alternate power means cannot be made available provided that such operation does not cause or contribute to a condition of air pollution. Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars for the first offense, nor more than five hundred dollars for each succeeding offense.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 16b - Idling of a Motor Vehicle Engine on School Property; Penalties; Adoption of Regulations

Section 16B. (a) For the purposes of this section, the term ''school grounds'' shall mean in, on or within 100 feet of the real property comprising a public or private accredited preschool, accredited Head Start facility, elementary, vocational or secondary school whether or not in session, and shall include any athletic field or facility and any playground used for school purposes or functions which are owned by a municipality or school district, regardless of proximity to a school building, as well as any parking lot appurtenant to such school, athletic field, facility or playground.
(b) No person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit the prolonged idling of a motor vehicle engine on school property in violation of registry of motor vehicles regulations relative thereto, adopted pursuant to subsection (c). An operator or owner of a motor vehicle who violates this section shall be subject to a civil assessment of $100 for the first violation and $500 for a second or subsequent violation. This subsection shall be enforced by law enforcement agencies.
(c) The registrar of motor vehicles, in consultation with the department of education, the department of environmental protection, the executive office of public safety and the executive office of health and human services, shall adopt regulations to implement this section. Such regulations shall include, but not be limited to, establishing the length of time an operator on school grounds may idle an engine before such idling becomes prolonged, and the limited circumstances under which the prolonged idling of an engine shall be permitted, including periods necessary to operate defrosting, heating or cooling equipment to ensure the health or safety of a driver or passengers or to operate auxiliary equipment and to undergo inspection or during maintenance. Such regulations shall prohibit an operator of a school bus from idling a school bus engine while waiting for children to board or exit a bus on school grounds and from starting a school bus engine for any unnecessary period of time in advance of leaving the school grounds, unless the registrar determines that a school bus engine must be fully engaged in order to operate safety devices or that such idling prohibition would otherwise compromise the safety of children boarding or exiting a bus. Such regulations shall further prescribe templates for ''no idling'' signage to be posted by schools.
(d) The registry of motor vehicles shall notify all individuals certified and endorsed to be school bus drivers of the provisions of this section and regulations adopted pursuant thereto during the annual certification process required by this chapter.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 17 - Speed Limits

Section 17. 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 the provisions of section eighteen, it shall be prima facie evidence of a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper as aforesaid (1) if a motor vehicle is operated on a divided highway outside a thickly settled or business district at a rate of speed exceeding fifty miles per hour for a distance of a quarter of a mile, or (2) on any other way outside a thickly settled or business district at a rate of speed exceeding forty miles per hour for a distance of a quarter of a mile, or (3) inside a thickly settled or business district at a rate of speed exceeding thirty miles per hour for a distance of one-eighth of a mile, or (4) within a school zone which may be established by a city or town as provided in section two of chapter eighty-five at a rate of speed exceeding twenty miles per hour. Operation of a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of fifteen miles per hour within one-tenth of a mile of a vehicle used in hawking or peddling merchandise and which displays flashing amber lights shall likewise be prima facie evidence of a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper. If a speed limit has been duly established upon any way, in accordance with the provisions of said section, operation of a motor vehicle at a rate of speed in excess of such limit shall be prima facie evidence that such speed is greater than is reasonable and proper; but, notwithstanding such establishment of a speed limit, every person operating a motor vehicle shall decrease the speed of the same when a special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic, or by reason of weather or highway conditions. Any person in violation of this section, while operating a motor vehicle through the parameters of a marked construction zone or construction area, at a speed which exceeds the posted limit, or at a speed that is greater than is reasonable and proper, shall be subject to a fine of 2 times the amount currently in effect for the violation issued. Except on a limited access highway, no person shall operate a school bus at a rate of speed exceeding forty miles per hour, while actually engaged in carrying school children.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 17a - Speed Limit; Massachusetts Turnpike

Section 17A. Unless otherwise prohibited by federal law, the maximum speed for motor vehicles traveling on interstate highway route 90, the Massachusetts Turnpike, between the New York state border and the Westfield interchange, and from the Ludlow interchange to the Auburn interchange, interstate highway route 91 from the Vermont border to Northampton, Exit 21, and interstate 95 from the Newbury interchange 56 to the Danvers interchange 50, shall be sixty-five miles per hour.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 17b - Drag Racing; Penalties

Section 17B. No person shall operate a motor vehicle, nor shall any owner of such vehicle permit it to be operated, in a manner where the owner or operator accelerates at a high rate of speed in competition with another operator, whether or not there is an agreement to race, causing increased noise from skidding tires and amplified noise from racing engines. Whoever violates this section shall be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 21/2 years or by a fine of not more than $1,000. The registrar shall suspend such violator's license for a period of not less than 30 days for a first offense and for not less than 180 days for any subsequent violation.
Notwithstanding the penalties provided in the first paragraph, a holder of a junior operator's license or learner's permit who commits a violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than $250 for a first offense and the registrar shall suspend the junior operator's license or learner's permit for 1 year. A subsequent violation shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500 and the registrar shall suspend the junior operator's license or learner's permit for 3 years. A holder of a junior operator's license or learner's permit who commits a violation under this section shall also be required to complete the state courts against road rage program sponsored by the trial court and the department of state police.
The registrar shall impose a $500 reinstatement fee upon a junior operator who seeks to have his license or learner's permit reinstated following suspension for a first offense under this section and a $1,000 reinstatement fee shall be imposed upon a junior operator who seeks to have his license or learner's permit reinstated following suspension for a subsequent violation under this section. A junior operator whose license is suspended under this section shall not be eligible for license reinstatement until he also completes a program selected by the registrar that encourages attitudinal changes in young drivers who have committed a violation of the motor vehicle laws and until he successfully completes a driving test as required by the registrar. A junior operator whose learner's permit is suspended under this section shall be required to complete a program selected by the registrar that encourages attitudinal changes in young drivers who have committed a violation of the motor vehicle laws and shall be required to reapply for his learner's permit before he may be issued a license to operate a motor vehicle pursuant to section 8.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 17c - Establishment of 25-Miles-per-Hour Speed Limit in Thickly Settled or Business District in City or Town; Violation

Section 17C. (a) Notwithstanding section 17 or any other general or special law to the contrary, the city council, the transportation commissioner of the city of Boston, the board of selectmen, park commissioners, a traffic commission or traffic director of a city or town that accepts this section in the manner provided in section 4 of chapter 4 may, in the interests of public safety and without further authority, establish a speed limit of 25 miles per hour on any roadway inside a thickly settled or business district in the city or town on any way that is not a state highway.
(b) Upon establishing a speed limit under this section, the city or town shall notify the department. The operation of a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of a speed limit established under this section shall be a violation of section 17.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 17d - Speed Limits in Active Construction Zones

Section 17D. (a) For purposes of this section, ''active construction zone'' shall mean an area on a public highway or on the adjacent right of way where construction, repair, maintenance or survey work is performed by the department or by a utility company or a private contractor under contract with the department.
(b) Notwithstanding section 18, the department may establish and post a speed limit in an active construction zone without conducting an engineering study. A rate of speed in excess of a speed limit posted under this section shall be prima facie evidence that the speed of the motor was greater than is reasonable and proper. A violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of double the amount imposed for such a violation in that area if the area were not designated an active construction zone.
An active construction zone speed limit shall be effective when signs giving notice of that speed limit are prominently displayed in proximity to the active construction zone and construction, repair, maintenance or survey work is performed. Such signs may display either a fixed speed limit or an electronic message that displays adjusted speed limits when work is being performed. The signs shall notify motorists that the fine for a violation of the posted speed limit is doubled in the active construction zone.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 18b - Establishment of Designated Safety Zones for Ways in City or Town; Violation

Section 18B. (a) Notwithstanding section 18 or any other general or special law to the contrary, the city council, the transportation commissioner of the city of Boston, the board of selectmen, park commissioners, a traffic commission or traffic director of a city or town that accepts this section in the manner provided in section 4 of chapter 4 may, in the interests of public safety and without further authority, establish designated safety zones on, at or near any way in the city or town which is not a state highway, and with the approval of the department if the same is a state highway. Such safety zones shall be posted as having a speed limit of 20 miles per hour.
(b) The operation of a motor vehicle in such zone at a speed exceeding the speed limit established under this section shall be a violation of section 17.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 19e - Operation of Motor Vehicles and Certain Trailers and Semi-Trailers on Interstate and Defense Highways

Section 19E. Any provision of this chapter or of chapter eighty-five to the contrary notwithstanding, no motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer, or semi-trailer unit may be operated or permitted to operate on the System of Interstate and Defense Highways within this commonwealth with a gross vehicle weight or weight per axle such as would preclude the commonwealth from receiving federal highway aid funds under Title 23 of the United States Code.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 19g - Vehicles Authorized to Operate on Routes of Reasonable Access; Safety Evaluations

Section 19G. A motor vehicle authorized to operate on the National Network under the provisions of section nineteen F, and which is not authorized by section nineteen to operate without permit on ways within the commonwealth, may be authorized to operate on routes of reasonable access, as defined in section one, as follows:
the operator of any terminal, or the owner, lessee or operator of any vehicle, may request in writing to the department a specific route of reasonable access. Such requested route of reasonable access shall be deemed approved by the department if the department does not disapprove it in writing and for specific reasons of safety within ninety days of receipt of said request. Although a requested route may be established, it shall remain subject to disapproval or alteration in writing by the department at any time for specific safety reasons. A conclusive safety evaluation of a requested route shall be based on the application of templates to the route configurations for purposes of determining if such route is capable of safely accommodating the operating characteristics of the particular type of vehicle or, where a statistical record has been established, may be based on verifiable accident frequency.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 19i - Maximum Width and Weight Limitations and Minimum Speed Limits; Exception for Certain Construction Vehicles

Section 19I. Notwithstanding any provisions of this chapter or any other law to the contrary, the maximum vehicle width as provided in section nineteen, maximum vehicle weight as provided in section nineteen A and any minimum speed limit on any way shall not apply to any vehicle being operated on a public way within two hundred yards of the work site of said vehicle, if said vehicle is being used in the performance of duties pursuant to a contract with the commonwealth, any political subdivision thereof or any state authority regarding construction on a public way.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 19j - Maximum Vehicle Widths, Axle Weights and Minimum Speed Limits; Exception for Certain Snow Clearing Duties

Section 19J. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or any other law to the contrary, the maximum vehicle width as provided in section nineteen, the maximum axle weights as provided in section nineteen A and any minimum speed limit on any way shall not apply to any vehicle being operated on any public way in the performance of municipality, county or state contracted snow clearing duties.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 19k - Hitching Mechanism

Section 19K. For the purposes of this section, the term ''hitching mechanism'' shall be defined as the lift cylinder and the lift arm. Nothing in this section shall apply to state, county or municipally owned or operated vehicles. Between May 15 and October 15 of each year, any vehicle with a gross weight of less than 26,000 pounds which is equipped with a plow shall be required to have removed the plow and hitching mechanism used with the plow. Vehicles equipped with an apparatus that allows the hitching mechanism to be folded flat leaving no protruding surfaces, shall only be required to have the plow itself removed; if the hitching mechanism is in the folded flat position while the vehicle is in operation. If snowfall occurs before October 25 or after May 15 vehicles subject to this act may be re-equipped with the plow and any apparatus necessary for clearing snow. Vehicles shall be required to abide by this section within 72 hours of the conclusion of snowfall.
Any individual found operating a motor vehicle in violation of this section shall be issued a warning for the first offense, shall be fined $250 for the second offense and $500 and revocation of the vehicle's registration for the third offense. The revocation of a vehicle's registration due to a third offense shall remain in effect until the time as the vehicle is in compliance with this section. This section shall not apply to hitching mechanisms which are permanently affixed through welding or other means, before the effective date of this section. However, it shall be unlawful, and punishable by the fines and revocations, for any person to permanently affix through welding or other means a hitching mechanism governed under this section after the effective date of this section.
The registry of motor vehicles shall, within 180 calendar days of the effective date of this act, develop a list of makes and models of hitching mechanisms that fold flat leaving no protruding surfaces. The registry of motor vehicles shall promulgate and implement regulations governing a system of verification whereby the registry of motor vehicles can ensure a motor vehicle's compliance with this section following a third offense.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 20c - Nature of Proceedings Under Secs. 20a and 20a1/2; Fines

Section 20C. Proceedings under sections twenty A or twenty A1/2 of this chapter shall not be deemed criminal. Whenever there are outstanding against the registered owner of a motor vehicle more than five unpaid parking violations issued by a city or town, said owner or city or town may apply to the clerk of the division of the district or municipal court having jurisdiction to have the matter of these alleged violations treated criminally, and the district or municipal court shall take jurisdiction of the matter. The matter shall thereafter be deemed criminal and the procedures established for criminal cases be followed, provided, however, that the provisions of the second and third paragraphs of section thirty-five A of chapter two hundred and eighteen shall not apply to such cases. Any such fine imposed by the court shall not exceed double the maximum fine provided for in any city or town. Said fine imposed by the court shall be paid back to the said cities or towns where the violation occurred.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 20d - Tampering or Destruction of Parking Tags; Penalty

Section 20D. Whoever unlawfully tampers with or removes from a motor vehicle, or unlawfully changes, mutilates or destroys any notice affixed to such motor vehicle in accordance with section twenty A or twenty A1/2 shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars, or by imprisonment in jail for not more than one month, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 20g - Failure to Appear in Accordance With Notice Issued Pursuant to Department of Transportation Regulation; Failure to Pay Violation; Motor Vehicle License Renewals; Registration of Motor Vehicles

Section 20G. If a person fails to appear in accordance with a notice to appear issued pursuant to a Massachusetts Department of Transportation regulation or fails to pay in a timely manner a violation issued pursuant to such regulations after having received notice thereof, the authority shall notify the registrar who shall place the matter on record and shall not renew the license to operate a motor vehicle or the registrations of any vehicles owned by such person until the matter has been disposed of in accordance with applicable law or regulation. If the person is found to be a resident of another state or jurisdiction, the registrar shall revoke the violator's right to operate in the commonwealth until the matters have been disposed of in accordance with applicable law or regulation. The liability of lessors of motor vehicles for violations on facilities owned by the authority shall be governed by authority regulations in a manner consistent with the provisions of section 20E. The registrar shall prescribe the manner, form and content of any notice received from the authority to take such action.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XIV - Public Ways and Works › Chapter 90 - Motor Vehicles and Aircraft › Section 20h - Failure to Pay Required Toll; Tobin Bridge; Motor Vehicle License Renewals; Registration of Motor Vehicles

Section 20H. If a person fails to appear in accordance with a notice to appear issued for a failure to pay or prepay the required toll on the Tobin Bridge, pursuant to a Massachusetts Port Authority regulation or fails to pay in a timely manner a fine issued pursuant to such regulations after having received notice thereof, the authority shall notify the registrar, who shall place the matter on the record and shall not renew a license to operate a motor vehicle or the registration of any vehicle owned by the person until the matter has been disposed of in accordance with applicable law or regulation. If a person is found to be a resident of another state or jurisdiction, the registrar shall revoke the violator's right to operate in the commonwealth until the matters have been disposed of in accordance with applicable law or regulation. The registrar shall prescribe the manner, form and content of any notice received from the authority to take such action.