Transportation (Traffic Safety)

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 812: An Act increasing the penalties for violating speed limits in school zones

SD 812 amends state law to include school zones in areas where speeding violations incur stricter penalties. It directly affects drivers who exceed speed limits in designated school zones. The bill updates Section 17 of Chapter 90 by adding "school zones" to the list of locations (alongside construction areas) subject to enhanced penalties for speeding. This change modifies existing law to apply the same elevated fines for speeding in school zones as are currently applied in construction zones.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases penalties for speeding in school zones, directly enhancing transportation safety standards for road users near schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 480: An Act to require seat belts on school buses

This bill requires all Massachusetts school buses - public, charter, vocational, private, and parochial - to install lap-shoulder seat belts at every seat by September 1, 2027. It mandates that all passengers wear these belts during bus operation, with schools adding seat belt instruction to driver training. The law also directs the insurance commissioner to create premium discounts for school buses equipped with federally approved seat belts, effective before September 2025. These changes directly affect school bus operators, students, and insurance providers across all school types.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires seat belts on school buses to protect students during transportation, enhancing safety in educational environment.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires seat belts on all school buses to enhance passenger safety, directly strengthening vehicle safety standards in transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Public Transit Traffic Safety

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1343: An Act increasing the liability for permitting an intoxicated arrestee to operate a motor vehicle

This bill requires law enforcement to impound vehicles for at least 12 hours when a person is arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). It mandates that officers provide a written warning to anyone summoned to transport the arrestee, explaining potential criminal and civil liability if they allow the impaired person to drive. Vehicles can only be released if the owner presents a valid license, proof of insurance, or meets other conditions set by law enforcement. The law directly affects individuals who arrange transportation for DUI arrestees and requires law enforcement agencies to follow specific procedures for vehicle impoundment and release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces DUI recidivism by increasing liability for allowing impaired drivers to operate vehicles, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnhances transportation safety by increasing liability for allowing impaired driving, directly addressing road safety standards per bill's DUI enforcement measures.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1699: An Act establishing a primary seat belt law

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1699) of Paul R. Feeney and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish a primary seat belt law. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes primary seat belt law, enhancing vehicle safety regulations under transportation policy as a safety measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 6, 2026

S 2347: An Act relative to transportation safety

By Mr. Collins, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2347) of Nick Collins for legislation to establish a task force to improve enforcement of existing laws governing motorized bicycles, motorized scooters, electric bicycles and mopeds and implement fines for certain offenses. Transportation.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes task force to improve enforcement of vehicle safety laws for e-bikes/scooters, enhancing transportation safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 18, 2025

S 1784: An Act relative to construction zone speed control systems

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1784) of John C. Velis and Michael J. Finn for legislation to increase safety in highways work zones by implementing work zone speed cameras. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill implements speed cameras in work zones to improve safety for construction workers, directly addressing workplace safety within Labor & Employment policies.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill implements speed cameras in highway work zones to enhance safety, directly advancing transportation safety standards per the summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 24, 2025

H 3672: An Act to reduce traffic fatalities

By Representative Gómez of Easthampton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3672) of Homar Gómez, Steven J. Ouellette and Francisco E. Paulino relative to traffic fatalities. Transportation.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly aims to reduce traffic fatalities, directly enhancing transportation safety standards under the specified topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3225: An Act expanding truck safety requirements

HD 3225 requires large trucks (class 3 or above, over 10,000 pounds gross weight) operated by municipalities, Commonwealth agencies, electric companies, gas companies, utilities, and wireless providers to install lateral protective devices, convex mirrors, crossover mirrors, and backup cameras by January 1, 2028. The bill mandates these safety upgrades for vehicles leased, purchased, or operated under contract with the specified entities. The registrar of motor vehicles will establish standards based on federal guidelines, with exemptions for ambulances, firefighting vehicles, agricultural tractors, and low-speed vehicles. This law directly affects commercial fleets serving public and utility sectors, aiming to improve road safety through standardized equipment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates safety equipment for truck operators, directly enhancing workplace safety for drivers and reducing accident risks per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates safety devices (lateral protectors, mirrors, cameras) for large trucks, directly enhancing road safety standards under transportation vehicle regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3867: An Act relative to neglecting to yield to a crossing guard or traffic officer

This bill amends Massachusetts law to require drivers to yield to crossing guards and traffic officers, expanding an existing requirement that already applied to police officers. It directly affects drivers who operate vehicles near school zones or traffic control points where crossing guards or traffic officers are directing traffic. The key change adds "crossing guard or traffic officer" to the list of personnel drivers must yield to under Chapter 90, Section 25. This is a straightforward update to existing traffic law, clarifying who must be yielded to without creating new penalties or altering enforcement procedures.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires drivers to yield to crossing guards/traffic officers, enhancing road safety in school zones and traffic control areas per Chapter 90, Section 25.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2133: An Act relative to construction zone speed control systems

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1784) of John C. Velis and Michael J. Finn for legislation to increase safety in highways work zones by implementing work zone speed cameras. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill implements speed cameras in work zones to enhance construction worker safety, directly improving workplace safety standards.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill implements work zone speed cameras to enhance highway safety, directly advancing transportation safety standards per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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