Concern About Drinking and Driving After Coronavirus
Drunk driving arrests and crashes are down, but there could be a spike once life gets back to normal.
Concern About Drinking and Driving After Coronavirus
Story by Henry Schwan
May 17, 2020
Massachusetts
GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Massachusetts. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.
Massachusetts
Bike helmets required?
Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 17.
Massachusetts
Motorcycle Helmet Required?
Universal helmet law enacted 1967.
Massachusetts
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle
5 years
Massachusetts
Provisions for Mature Drivers
75 and over: renewal in person only
Massachusetts
Marijuana Possession and Use
Decriminalized and legal for medical and recreational use
Massachusetts
Marijuana Impaired Driving
None
Massachusetts
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs
None
Massachusetts
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)
65
Massachusetts
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)
65
Massachusetts
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)
65
Massachusetts
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)
65
Massachusetts
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)
65
Massachusetts
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)
65
Massachusetts
Increased penalty for high BAC
0.2
Massachusetts
Administrative license suspension on first offense
90 days
Massachusetts
Limited driving privileges during suspension
Yes
Massachusetts
Ignition Interlocks
Mandatory for repeat convictions
Massachusetts
Open container laws
Yes
Massachusetts
Repeat Offender Laws
Yes
Massachusetts
Child Restraint Required
7 yrs or under and under 57" tall
Massachusetts
Adult Safety Belt Permissible
8-12 yrs or 57" or taller
Massachusetts
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
First 6 months: no passengers under 18
Massachusetts
Full Privilege Minimum Age
Nighttime driving: 18 years Driving with passengers: 17 years
Massachusetts
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16
Massachusetts
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
6
Massachusetts
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
40; 30 with advanced driver training
Massachusetts
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16 / 6
Massachusetts
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
12:30 a.m. - 5 a.m. (secondary enforcement 12:30 a.m. - 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. - 5 a.m.)
Massachusetts
Type of Law
Secondary
Massachusetts
Who is Covered?
13 and over
Massachusetts
In What Seat?
All
Massachusetts
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Massachusetts
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Massachusetts
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
Massachusetts
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Massachusetts
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted
n/a
Massachusetts
Red Light Cameras: State Law
None
Massachusetts
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted
n/a
Massachusetts
Speed Cameras: State Law
None
Drowsy Driving Prevention Grant: Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Highway Safety Division (HSD) used grant funding from GHSA and the National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF) to launch a public awareness campaign. The campaign was designed to engage young drivers on the impacts of drowsy driving and to provide prevention education.
Massachusetts gets $20,000 grant to train police on drugged driving
Massachusetts was one of six jurisdictions to receive a grant from NHTSA, administered by GHSA, to train additional law enforcement officers in drug-impaired driving recognition and assessment.
States Receive New Federal Drugged Driving Grants
Through federal funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), GHSA is pleased to announce that six states have received funding to help law enforcement better address drug-impaired driving.
State officials warn drivers: Don’t get high on pot and drive
As legal recreational marijuana sales begin in Massachusetts, the state's Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Director Jeff Larason discusses the dangers of marijuana-impaired driving.
Ford DSFL Teen Driving Grant Results: Massachusetts
With funding from a Ford Driving Skills for Life teen safe driving grant, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Highway Safety Division created a video introducing parents to the driver education and licensing process.
Bicycle Helmet Laws: Massachusetts
Bike helmets required?
Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 17.
Motorcycle Helmet Laws: Massachusetts
Motorcycle Helmet Required?
Universal helmet law enacted 1967.
Mature Driver Laws: Massachusetts
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle
5 years
Drug-Impaired Driving Laws: Massachusetts
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs
None