Amendment #30 to H4397

Authorizing local speed limits and safety zones

Representatives Hunt of Boston and Malia of Boston move to amend the bill by adding the following new sections:

SECTION 1.Chapter 90 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 17B the following section:-

Section 17C.  (a) Notwithstanding section 17 of chapter 90 or any general or special law to the contrary, the city council, the transportation commissioner of the city of Boston, the board of selectmen, park commissioners, a traffic commission or traffic director of a city or town which accepts this section in the manner provided in section 4 of chapter 4 may, in the interests of public safety and without further authority, establish a speed limit of 25 miles per hour inside a thickly settled or business district in the city or town which is not a state highway.

(b) Upon establishing a speed limit under this section the city or town shall notify the department.  The operation of a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of a speed limit established under this section shall be a violation of section 17 of chapter 90.

SECTION 2.  Chapter 90 of the General Laws is hereby further amended by inserting after section 18A the following section:-

Section 18B.  (a) Notwithstanding section 18 of chapter 90 or any general or special law to the contrary, the city council, the transportation commissioner of the city of Boston, the board of selectmen, park commissioners, a traffic commission or traffic director of a city or town which accepts this section in the manner provided in section 4 of chapter 4 may, in the interests of public safety and without further authority, establish designated safety zones on, at or near any way in the city or town which is not a state highway, and with the approval of the department if the same is a state highway.  Such safety zones shall be posted as having a speed limit of 20 miles per hour.

(b) The operation of a motor vehicle in such zone at a speed exceeding the speed limit established under this section shall be a violation of section 17 of chapter 90.

SECTION 3.This act shall take effect upon its passage.