Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 700 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › Title 700 CMR 5.000 - Regulation Of Certain Roadways And Bridges › Section 5.401 - Traffic Regulations and Rules for Driving

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(1) The operator of a vehicle shall obey the
			 instructions of any official traffic control sign, signal, device, marking or
			 legend unless otherwise directed by a Authorized Police officer.
(2) No person shall operate a vehicle on any
			 land, roadway, driveway, parkway or bridge, under the care and control of the
			 Department of Conservation and Recreation, at a rate of speed greater than is
			 reasonable and proper having regard to traffic, the use of the way, and the
			 safety of the public; and in no event in excess of the posted limits.
(3) No person shall park a motor vehicle
			 within any reservation or upon any road, driveway, parkway or bridge, nor allow
			 any vehicle to stand upon the traveled portion of any road, driveway, parkway
			 or bridge, nor upon the shoulder of any roadway where parking is prohibited by
			 signs or markings, nor in such a manner as to interfere in any way with the
			 removal or plowing of ice or snow. No person shall drive or park a vehicle upon
			 grass areas. A Massachusetts State Police Officer or DCR Park Ranger may remove
			 a vehicle parked in violation of 700 CMR 5.401 and
			 5.402, except those
			 specifically exempt by law, to some convenient place, and the owner shall be
			 liable to charge for the removal and storage of the vehicle as well as subject
			 to punishment by fine.
(4) All
			 vehicles shall be operated on the right-hand side of the traveled portion of
			 any road, driveway, parkway or bridge except when passing another vehicle,
			 provided, however, that passing another vehicle shall be permitted in the
			 right-hand lane of any roadway that has two or more lanes of traffic in which
			 the traffic movement is restricted to one direction. In turning, stopping or
			 backing up a vehicle, the operator shall signal, either by mechanical or
			 automatic electrical device, or by hand, indicating the direction about to be
			 taken.
(5) No person shall stop or
			 park a vehicle so as to obstruct a road, driveway, parkway, intersection,
			 sidewalk or pedestrian crossing or on a hill or curve where it would be a
			 hazard or obstruction for other traffic. When stopping or parking a vehicle off
			 of the traveled portion of the road, the front of the vehicle should be facing
			 the direction in which traffic in the nearest traffic lane is flowing, and the
			 vehicle should be stopped or parked parallel and within 12 inches of the curb;
			 but in no case should any vehicle stop or park within 20 feet of any
			 intersection nor within ten feet of a fire hydrant.
(6) Massachusetts State Authorized Police
			 Officers, DCR Rangers or other DCR authorized personnel may divert vehicular
			 traffic or pedestrians, when necessary , to avoid congestion or promote safety
			 and convenience. No person having charge of a motor vehicle shall refuse or
			 neglect to stop or position said vehicle when directed by an authorized police
			 officer, DCR Ranger or authorized DCR personnel or where indicated by signs,
			 markings or barriers.
(7) When
			 indicated by a sign, traffic signal or device, every operator of a motor
			 vehicle shall bring their vehicle to a full stop before entering any road,
			 driveway, or parkway. When indicated to yield the right-of-way by a sign, the
			 operator shall bring the vehicle to a complete stop before entering the
			 intersection, provided, however, the requirement to stop shall not apply when a
			 driver approaching a "yield" sign can enter the intersection in safety without
			 causing interference to approaching traffic.
(8) Notwithstanding where traffic signals may
			 indicate that vehicles may proceed, the operator of a vehicle shall yield to
			 any pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk and, further, an
			 operator shall not pass any other vehicle which has slowed or stopped to permit
			 a pedestrian to cross at a marked crosswalk.
(9) No person shall signal or stop the
			 operator of any vehicle or approach the occupants for the purpose of soliciting
			 a ride, or selling or distributing any merchandise, advertising matter, or
			 ticket of admission.
(10) No person
			 shall operate a truck, bus, camper, trailer or mobile home or any vehicle with
			 a seating capacity of more than 12 persons upon any road, driveway, parkway,
			 boulevard or bridge under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation
			 and Recreation which is restricted to pleasure vehicles only, provided,
			 however, that "pickup trucks," so-called, having a gross vehicle weight of
			 5,000 pounds or less and a maximum overall height of seven feet or less are
			 permitted. Those vehicles which are prohibited may gain access to a destination
			 situated on, or only accessible by the use of a restricted roadway, by entering
			 from the nearest roadway and exiting in the same manner; provided, however,
			 that in no case shall a person operate a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight
			 in excess of ten tons upon any roadway of the Department of Conservation and
			 Recreation except by express written consent of said Department of Conservation
			 and Recreation.
(11) No person,
			 other than an employee of the Department of Conservation and Recreation or an
			 employee in the service of an independent contractor acting for the Department
			 of Conservation and Recreation, shall pile, push or plow snow or ice onto any
			 road, driveway, parkway, bridge, or property under the care and control of the
			 Department of Conservation and Recreation except by express written consent of
			 said Department of Conservation and Recreation.