Budget Amendment ID: FY2027-S4-872-R2

2nd Redraft TRP 872

Wrong Way Driving

Messrs. Tarr and O'Connor, Ms. Lovely, Messrs. Finegold, Durant, Montigny and Velis, Ms. Howard and Messrs. Crighton and Fattman moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 27 the following section:-

“SECTION 27A. Clause (c) of section 8 of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word 'vehicle', in the line 54, the following words:- and a module on the dangers of wrong way driving and strategies and techniques for motorists to prevent wrong way driving”; and

by inserting after section 36 the following 4 sections:-

”SECTION 36A. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive protocol to prevent the occurrence of wrong way driving on limited access roadways in the commonwealth, which shall include, but not be limited to, directional striping on access ramps, adequate signage, lane delineators, lighting, detection systems which activate multi-sensory warning devices which alert wrong way drivers and notify public safety agencies of wrong way driving incidents in real time, messaging systems which notify motorists of the threat of a wrong way driver and other infrastructure based on current science and research relative to the prevention of wrong way driving incidents. Said protocol shall be implemented in the most expeditious manner possible, pursuant to a multiyear plan which shall identify and prioritize access ramps and intersections based on a threat level or other similar analysis which shall include, but not be limited to, documented incidents of wrong way driving and identifiable logistical defects or deficiencies; provided, however, that such protocol shall be updated periodically, in increments of not less than 3 years. In carrying out  this section, the highway administrator, in consultation with the secretary of transportation, shall prepare a budget for the initial cost of the plan and shall thereafter issue annual reports including the costs associated with such plan for the next fiscal year, progress made in implementing the protocol and the protocol’s impact and effects on reducing incidents of wrong way driving, which shall be reported to the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on transportation, the joint committee on public safety and homeland security, the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the secretary of administration and finance and the secretary of public safety not later than April 30, for a period of not less than 5 years from the passage of this act.

SECTION 36B.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the secretary of public safety, in consultation with the secretary of transportation, shall develop and implement training practices that ensure that all peace officer training conducted in the commonwealth includes, as of January 1, 2027, instruction relative to wrong way driving.

SECTION 36C.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the registrar of motor vehicles shall research, develop and transmit through a comprehensive plan of public service announcements, on an annual basis, information relative to the dangers and prevention of wrong way driving, provided that the content, transmission and effectiveness of such plan shall be reported annually to the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on transportation, the joint committee on public safety and homeland security and the clerks of the senate and house of representatives not later than March 1.

SECTION 36D. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, in consultation with the registry of motor vehicles the executive office of public safety and security and the executive office of aging and independence shall conduct a feasibility study on improving roadway safety for drivers over the age of 70. The study shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of: (i) wrong way driving incidents involving drivers over age 70; (ii) identification of roadway design, signage, lighting or geometric factors that may contribute to increased risk for older drivers; (iii) evaluation of educational, engineering or technological interventions that may reduce wrong way driving incidents among older drivers; and (iv) recommendations for infrastructure improvements, driver education enhancements or policy changes to improve safety for older drivers.

The study, along with any recommendations, shall be filed with the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on transportation the joint committee on public safety and homeland security and the clerks of the senate and house of representatives not later than 12 months after the effective date of this act.”.