Bill > S1905

This bill aims to reduce traffic fatalities through a variety of measures. Key provisions include: 1. Requiring the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop and provide an educational curriculum for public schools on the safe use of streets and premises by pedestrians and bicyclists. 2. Mandating that certain large vehicles (over 10,000 lbs GVWR) purchased or leased by the Commonwealth after January 1, 2019 be equipped with safety devices like lateral protective devices, convex mirrors, and crossover mirrors. 3. Establishing Massachusetts Sleep Awareness Week and Massachusetts Drowsy Driving Prevention Week to raise public awareness about the dangers of sleep deprivation and fatigue while driving. 4. Restricting the use of mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle, with exceptions for emergencies, and imposing fines and other penalties for violations. 5. Allowing municipalities to deploy automated road safety camera systems to enforce certain traffic violations like speeding and red light running, subject to regulations and limits. 6. Requiring standardized reporting and analysis of crashes involving cyclists and pedestrians. 7. Enhancing protections and right-of-way rules for vulnerable road users like pedestrians and bicyclists. The overall goal of the bill is to improve safety for all road users, especially those most vulnerable, through a combination of education, technology, enforcement, and policy changes.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S1905