HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5403        FILED ON: 12/5/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Richard M. Haggerty

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to restrictions on highway breakdown lane travel.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5403        FILED ON: 12/5/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to restrictions on highway breakdown lane travel.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Section 85 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section: -

Section 38. (a) For the purposes of this section, the words “breakdown lane” shall mean a paved lane on a way to the right of the travel lanes and separated from them by a solid line.

(b) All highway breakdown lanes designated by signs for travel use during certain allowed times shall have a maximum speed of 30 mph. An operator of a motor vehicle who commits a speeding violation in a breakdown lane shall be punished by a fine of $100.

(c) An operator of a motor vehicle traveling in a highway breakdown lane shall, upon entering the breakdown lane, exit the breakdown lane at the next available exit ramp. An operator of a motor vehicle who does not exit a breakdown lane at the next available exit ramp shall be punished by a fine of $100.