Protect Vulnerable Road Users
After ten years of effort, the Massachusetts General Laws have been updated with regards to vulnerable road users, making Massachusetts the second state in the country to mandate a minimum passing distance of four feet and reduced speed when passing a “Vulnerable user”, (i) a pedestrian, including a person engaged in work upon a way or upon utility facilities along a way or engaged in the provision of emergency services within the way; (ii) a person operating a bicycle, handcycle, tricycle, skateboard, roller skates, in-line skates, non-motorized scooter, wheelchair, electric personal assistive mobility device, horse, horse-drawn carriage, motorized bicycle, motorized scooter, or other micromobility device, or a farm tractor or similar vehicle designed primarily for farm use; or (iii) other such categories that the registrar may designate by regulation.
On April 1, 2023, amended vulnerable road users laws went into effect in Massachusetts. These laws were all passed as part of “An Act to Reduce Traffic Fatalities” in an effort to increase roadway safety across the commonwealth.
Steve Stearns (a cyclist) approached Millbury Police Chief Brian Lewos with a proposal to promote awareness of the revised vulnerable road user law. The idea was to affix magnetic Public Service Advisory (PSA) signs on certain police SUVs as a means of informing Millbury's residents and those who pass through Millbury. Chief Brian Lewos readily accepted the proposal and authorized the PSA. Consequently, residents should expect to observe these signs on a few of the police SUVs in the town.
Safe Passing: Motorists
Drivers will need to provide a “safe passing distance” of at least 4 feet when passing vulnerable road users. Massachusetts is the 36th state to define safe passing as at least 3 feet.
Motorists are explicitly allowed to cross a double-yellow line in order to pass “when it is safe to do so and adhering to the roadway speed limit.”
MassDOT is required to put up signage to this effect across the commonwealth and will work in collaboration with municipalities to do so on public roadways.
Rear Red Light Requirement: Bicyclists
A new requirement for use of rear red lights at night will go into effect to ensure cyclists are visible on our roadways.
Bicyclists will now be required to use a front white light and rear red light and rear reflector when riding at night.
Police officers cannot use a light violation as a reason to stop a bicyclist. The lack of lights cannot be used as “conclusive evidence of contributory negligence” in a civil action, for instance when making an insurance claim.
Working together we can all make our road safer for all vulnerable road users, by being aware and undistracted while operating our motor vehicles.
You can learn more at State Senator Will Browsberger’s blog and MGL Chapter 358.
Artwork for magnetic signs or die cut stickers is available for download.