Radar Detector Jammer Forum - View Single Post - MA Speed laws figured out. Chapt 90 Section 18 vs Sect 17

Suf Daddy · 01-08-2007, 06:03 PM

UPDATED info below February 2008 read next post

"Information on Speed Limit Regulations

Posted speed limits are established through the issuance of special speed regulations. On state highways, the Massachusetts Highway Department (MassHighway) is responsible for conducting an engineering study to establish a speed regulation, which is then jointly signed by both MassHighway and the Registry of Motor Vehicles according to Chapter 90, Section 18 of the Massachusetts General Laws (MGL).

On municipal roadways, the municipality, usually in conjunction with MassHighway, collects data relative to establishing a speed limit.

The Traffic Engineering section reviews this data and a speed regulation is then drafted by MassHighway and returned to the municipality for approval. After the city or town approves the speed regulation, it is then returned to MassHighway and jointly signed by the Registry of Motor Vehicles and MassHighway. (MGL Ch. 90, S. 18 [eighteen])

However, Chapter 90, Section 17 of the MGL dictates statutory speed limits in the absence of official speed postings under 90-18. In other words, if a speed limit has not been established under 90-18 (which requires the posting of speed limits according to a Special Speed Regulation which is the result of an engineering study)

the roadway can be enforced according to 90-17 (no speed signs posted),
which is :
20 mph in a school zone,
30 mph in a thickly settled or business district for a distance of 1/8 of a mile,
40 mph on an undivided highway outside of a thickly settled or business district for a distance of 1/4 of a mile, and
50 mph on a divided highway outside of a thickly settled or business district for a distance of 1/4 of a mile. "

So if you get a Chapt 90 section 17 ticket. MAKE SURE you "broke" the law for the distance required.

IF you get a ticket on the MASS PIKE:
They have absolute speed limits which are 730 CMR and are found at other link source:

http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsand...ntschedule.pdf

730CMR708/PP MASS PIKE—SPEEDING
* 730 CMR §7.08(6)(a) $50

730CMR708/QQ MASS PIKE—SPEEDING IN CONSTRUCTION ZONE
* 730 CMR §7.08(12)(a) $100

730CMR708/RR MASS PIKE—SPEEDING OVER POSTED LIMIT
* 730 CMR §7.08(6)(c) $50, plus $10 for each M.P.H. in
excess of 10 M.P.H. ver speed limit, to a maximum of $500

730CMR708/SS MASS PIKE—SPEEDING TO ENDANGER
* 730 CMR §7.08(6)(b) $50

IN TUNNEL: $500

Research and sources for other items:
http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/default.a...dReg&sid=about
Massachusetts General Laws (MGL).
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/mgllink.htm

01-08-2007, 06:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Suf Daddy Power User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,499 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	MA Speed laws figured out. Chapt 90 Section 18 vs Sect 17 UPDATED info below February 2008 read next post "Information on Speed Limit Regulations Posted speed limits are established through the issuance of special speed regulations. On state highways, the Massachusetts Highway Department (MassHighway) is responsible for conducting an engineering study to establish a speed regulation, which is then jointly signed by both MassHighway and the Registry of Motor Vehicles according to Chapter 90, Section 18 of the Massachusetts General Laws (MGL). On municipal roadways, the municipality, usually in conjunction with MassHighway, collects data relative to establishing a speed limit. The Traffic Engineering section reviews this data and a speed regulation is then drafted by MassHighway and returned to the municipality for approval. After the city or town approves the speed regulation, it is then returned to MassHighway and jointly signed by the Registry of Motor Vehicles and MassHighway. (MGL Ch. 90, S. 18 [eighteen]) However, Chapter 90, Section 17 of the MGL dictates statutory speed limits in the absence of official speed postings under 90-18. In other words, if a speed limit has not been established under 90-18 (which requires the posting of speed limits according to a Special Speed Regulation which is the result of an engineering study) the roadway can be enforced according to 90-17 (no speed signs posted), which is : 20 mph in a school zone, 30 mph in a thickly settled or business district for a distance of 1/8 of a mile, 40 mph on an undivided highway outside of a thickly settled or business district for a distance of 1/4 of a mile, and 50 mph on a divided highway outside of a thickly settled or business district for a distance of 1/4 of a mile. " So if you get a Chapt 90 section 17 ticket. MAKE SURE you "broke" the law for the distance required. IF you get a ticket on the MASS PIKE: They have absolute speed limits which are 730 CMR and are found at other link source: http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsand...ntschedule.pdf 730CMR708/PP MASS PIKE—SPEEDING * 730 CMR §7.08(6)(a) $50 730CMR708/QQ MASS PIKE—SPEEDING IN CONSTRUCTION ZONE * 730 CMR §7.08(12)(a) $100 730CMR708/RR MASS PIKE—SPEEDING OVER POSTED LIMIT * 730 CMR §7.08(6)(c) $50, plus $10 for each M.P.H. in excess of 10 M.P.H. ver speed limit, to a maximum of $500 730CMR708/SS MASS PIKE—SPEEDING TO ENDANGER * 730 CMR §7.08(6)(b) $50 IN TUNNEL: $500 Research and sources for other items: http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/default.a...dReg&sid=about Massachusetts General Laws (MGL). http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/mgllink.htm __________________ Speed detection makes errors. I can prove it. REPEATEDLY. I'm no attorney, any method I describe may not work for you. You use my experience at your own risk. And as my experience, this is not legal advice or be considered legal advice. These are my opinions made from research and experience, sometimes using the technologies discussed. NO part of my writings may be copied, or used in other writings, postings, articles or works without my permission. Quoting from my postings ON THIS WEB SITE is allowed on this website for discussion purposes only. I rent LIDAR and radar, even w/ speed signs! LTI Marksman AND Ultralyte 200LR, Stalker LIDAR, Kustom Pro Laser II, Pro Laser III, Laser Atlanta Advantage (R-style) and 6 Doppler's.