Speed limits in thickly settled or business districts
Overview
MGL c. 90 § 17C defines a thickly settled or business district as "the territory contiguous to any way which is built up with structures devoted to business, or the territory contiguous to any way where dwelling houses are situated at such distances as will average less than two hundred feet between them for a distance of a quarter of a mile or over."
In 2016, legislation was passed (Sections 193 and 194 of Chapter 218 of the Acts of 2016) to create two new sections to MGL c.90§17C.
- Section 193 allows a municipality to opt-in to Section 17C of Chapter 90 of the MGL, thereby reducing the statutory speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph on any or all city- or town-owned roadways within a thickly settled or business district. The legislation also requires cities and towns to notify MassDOT of these changes.
- Section 194 creates Section 18B of Chapter 90 of the MGL, allowing municipalities to establish regulatory 20 mph safety zones. Since this creates a regulatory speed limit, the MUTCD requires an engineering study prior to the establishment of the safety zone, and it should conform to the guidance found in the MassDOT Procedures for Speed Zoning.
If a municipality opts-in, it will not supersede any existing posted speed limit. The legislation only affects streets that are currently governed by a statutory speed limit. If an existing special speed regulation is in place, it will continue to govern.
MassDOT recommends that if a municipality opts-in to MGL c. 90 § 17C, that it does so on a city- or town-wide basis to avoid potential confusion for drivers. However, cities and towns do have the option to opt-in on a street-by-street basis. Once a municipality has opted-in to MGL c. 90 § 17C, it is required to notify MassDOT.
My first car, a 1972 Chevy Caprice Classic was a large 4 door sedan that could stop from 60-0 in 170-200 feet.
ReplyDeleteToday, a Cadillac CT5 4 door sedan can stop from 60-0 in about 104 ft.
Todays cars are far more capable than cars of old at stopping, avoiding obstacles which is more of an argument to raise local speed limits.
Speed limits should not be lowered because the Town, State doesn't fund Road work at a sifficient rate which doesn't allow for or cover the addition of sidewalks and crosswalks throughout town.
I personally hate the flashing signs on the side of the road that flash on and off even when I'm not speeding.
The placement of the sign on 2a picks up vehicles coming around the corner a 1/4 mile away and flashes there speed when you are the closer vehicle. I'm driving by the sign doing 38 miles an hour and it flashes 56 as I see headlights round the corner a 1/4 mile back. It's a hazard at that point , not a safety device.
That's a very good post, Anon904. And all these low-old-tech radar/lidar speed signs are a waste of tax money.
ReplyDeleteYou know lobbyists are behind this. They could only be sold in America because no place else would pay the ridiculous prices that fund this gold mine for shitty US companies.
The jumbo signs advertising the flu shot clinic or dog license bullshit are the same category.
We can't keep wasting money on all this junk, even If it's from "grant" money.