(Boston, MA) A new Massachusetts Vulnerable Road Users Law went into effect April 1st. This law contains various roadway safety measures that have been in the works for the past decade according to Senator Brownsberger.
In the legislation includes a clarified definition for “Vulnerable User” is now defined as walkers, bikers, roadside workers, micro mobility device users, horse riders, and farm equipment. This definition allows future legislation to be made around these users.
Also, 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.
And MassDOT will be installing signage across the state indicating that motorists are allowed to cross a double-yellow line in order to pass vulnerable users “when it is safe to do so and adhering to the roadway speed limit.”