Maybe you’ve heard that Massachusetts makes it illegal to have a gorilla in the backseat of your car. Or perhaps you’ve read that it’s against the law to scare a pigeon someone else is trying to trap.
These types of laws are fun to talk about at dinner parties. But they usually don’t have an impact on our daily lives. Instead of focusing on those bizarre and often antiquated laws, we’d like to focus on a handful of relevant traffic laws that many drivers don’t realize they should be following.
Important Massachusetts Traffic Laws You May Not Know
- If you need to use your windshield wipers, the law requires you to turn on your headlights.
- The Massachusetts “move over law” requires drivers to move into a lane not adjacent to that of a stopped emergency response vehicle, highway maintenance vehicle, or recovery vehicle.
- The use of handheld devices by drivers is illegal in Massachusetts.
- The Massachusetts White Cane Law says that “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.”
- The Massachusetts child seat safety law states that all children riding in passenger vehicles must be seated in federally approved child passenger restraints that are properly fastened and secured until they are 8 years old or taller than 57 inches.
- The child seat safety law also states that children older than 8 years of age or taller than 57 inches must wear seat belts.
These are just a few of the statewide laws some drivers might be violating, but additional local ordinances are also in effect. For example, in Milford, Massachusetts, it’s illegal to peep into car windows (a law that’s part of the city’s effort to cut down on smash and grabs). So, always be sure to check out your community’s local laws to make sure you’re not violating them.
When Someone Breaks the Law and Causes You Harm, You Have Rights
Hopefully, you’re fully aware of the traffic laws in Massachusetts, and you do everything you can to follow them. Unfortunately, we can’t control the actions of other drivers. But when someone is injured in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence, they do have the right to file a claim to get compensation for the crash-related costs they face.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver, contact the Massachusetts car accident attorneys at Jason Stone Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
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