As part of An Act to Reduce Traffic Fatalities, Mass DOT was required to post signage across the Commonwealth to spread the word about the new 4-foot passing law that went into effect on April 1, 2023.  Massachusetts is the 36th state to define passing of at least 3 feet.

With nearly 50 years of driving under my belt when I moved to Holliston, I still crawled on several of its side streets—both narrow and windy. Trees, rocks, and stone walls are dangerously close to our roads’ edge. Sharing the road with bicyclists (runners and pedestrians, too) was sometimes a precarious feat of hesitation and timing.  Fortunately, the new law for the protection of vulnerable road users applies to ALL roadways across the Commonwealth. 

Have you noticed some of the new signs at various locations in Holliston?  According to Sean Reese, Holliston Director of Public works, “Fourteen signs were ordered and were placed by town lines where vehicles would be entering Holliston, and the others were placed in locations with the greatest amount of bike traffic to provide vehicles notice.”  I have begun to notice other communities posting the signs as well.  

Curious about vulnerable road users?   According to this law, “Vulnerable Road Users”include people walking and biking, roadside workers, people in wheelchairs, motorized bicycles, scooters, skateboards, roller skates and other micro mobility devices, horse riders and horse-drawn carriages, and farm equipment.  Admittedly, I have not seen a horse-drawn carriage recently. 

Motorists are allowed to cross a double-yellow line in order to pass “when it is safe to do so and while adhering to the roadway speed limit.” If a road is too narrow to provide these vulnerable users 4’, drivers should wait to pass until they can provide the mandatory distance.  Invariably, a bicyclist or runner appears on Prentice Street just as the road curves. Holding back until you can allow the 4-foot clearance is now the law!

Some changes of equipment on bikes and trucks is also tucked into the law.  Bicyclists are now required to use a rear red light and a white front light in addition to a red reflector at night to ensure their visibility.  Legislation calls for additional mirrors and backup cameras on larger vehicles (class 3 or 10,000 pound trucks).

Other changes include officials’ reporting of information about crashes with vulnerable road users.  Municipalities are also allowed to petition the State to modify speed limits on state highways within their borders. Prospective drivers will be taught about the new law in driving school statewide.  The next RMV manual will include these new laws.

For more information on the 4’ passing law, click links below:

            Download PDF of An Act to Reduce Traffic Fatalities

            4-Foot Passing Bumper Sticker Request Form 

            1-page Information on Massachusetts Vulnerable Road Users Law 2023