Massachusetts · Handbook chapter 10 · 8 min read

Chapter 10: Parking, emergencies and crashes

Massachusetts parking rules and distances, parking on hills, yielding to emergency vehicles, police stops, skids, brake failure, breakdowns, stalling on railroad tracks, tunnels, and what the law requires after a crash.

Why this chapter matters

Parking distances, emergency vehicles and crash reporting are easy points on the exam if you know the numbers: 12 inches from the curb, 20 feet from an intersection, 10 feet from a hydrant, 300 feet behind a fire engine, and a crash report within five days.

Parking

General rules

• Never park where you create a hazard, and always leave at least 12 feet of clear roadway for traffic.
• When you leave your vehicle, stop the engine, set the parking brake, lock the ignition, take the key and lock the door.
• In a business or residential district, park no more than 12 inches from the curb, unless angle parking is allowed.
• Pulling out: let traffic pass, signal, then move out slowly.
• Park inside the painted lines of one space, not across two.

Where you may not park

• Where NO PARKING, NO STANDING or NO STOPPING is posted.
• In a bicycle lane, a taxi stand, a posted loading zone or a street-cleaning zone at the posted time.
• In a posted bus stop (fine $100).
• Within 20 feet of an intersection.
• Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant or fire lane.
• In a crosswalk, in front of a driveway or in front of an accessible ramp.
• In an HP/DV (disability or disabled veteran) space without the right plate or placard (first-offense fine $300; misusing a placard, at least $500), or in the striped area next to one, even with a placard.
• On a sidewalk, curb, traffic island or median; facing against traffic; double parked; during a weather emergency; or on a state or interstate highway unless allowed.
• On a rural road or outside a thickly settled district, or to make non-emergency repairs.

Parking on a hill

Set the parking brake, and put an automatic in park (a manual in gear). Then turn the front wheels:

Parallel parking

Pull up beside the car ahead of the space, about two to three feet away, check behind you both ways, then back slowly with the wheel turned fully toward the curb, looking out the rear window. Once your front passes the other car's rear bumper, turn the wheel the other way and keep backing, then straighten and pull forward.

Emergency vehicles

Moving emergency vehicles

• Yield to fire engines, ambulances, police cars and other emergency vehicles using a siren or flashing lights, from any direction.
• Pull as far to the right as you can and stop until it passes. Rolling slowly is not enough. Signal right; do not swerve left or brake suddenly.
• Never stop in an intersection. Drive through it first, then pull over.
• Afterward, signal left, check for more emergency vehicles, and merge back.
• Do not follow within 300 feet of an emergency vehicle answering an alarm.
• Do not drive by or park within 800 feet of a fire, and do not drive over a fire hose unless directed.

Stopped emergency vehicles

Slow down for any stopped emergency, maintenance or recovery vehicle with flashing lights, and move over a lane on a four-lane highway when you safely can (see Chapter 6). Dim your high beams at night. If you need help, pull in front of a police cruiser, never behind it.

When a police officer stops you

• Signal and pull over completely to the right, not to the left, and not in an intersection, in front of a driveway or in a travel lane.
• Put the car in park, turn off the engine and radio. At night, turn on the interior light.
• Stay in the car and keep your hands where the officer can see them. Wait to be asked before reaching for your license and registration.
• The law requires you to carry your license and registration. The fine for not producing them is $35 for a first offense.
• Massachusetts does not require you to sign a citation. Do not argue: you can challenge it in court.

Driving emergencies

Stalled on railroad tracks

• Train coming: get everyone out immediately and move away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle toward the train, so you are not hit by flying wreckage. Then call 911.
• No train coming: listen for one, try to restart, or shift to neutral and push the car off. If you cannot, call the Emergency Notification System number on the crossing sign and give the crossing number.

Breakdowns

Get as far off the road as you can, turn on your hazard lights and stay in the vehicle on a highway. Put on a reflective vest before you get out, tie a white cloth to the antenna or door handle (red when it is snowing) and raise the hood.

Tunnels

Turn on your headlights, keep a safe gap and note the emergency exits. In a fire, stop, turn off the engine, leave the keys in the car and walk to the nearest exit.

Crashes

You must stop after any crash, however small. Leaving the scene is a crime.

Property damage only

1. Move the vehicles out of the travel lanes (the Driver Removal Law).
2. Exchange names, addresses, license numbers, registration and insurance details.
3. If you hit a parked car or other property, find the owner or tell the local police.
4. Report any injured animal to the police and, if possible, the owner.

Crashes with injuries

Check for injuries, call the police and an ambulance, move the vehicles if possible, exchange information and notify your insurer. Do not move an injured person unless their life is in danger.

Reporting

File a written Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report within five days with the RMV, the local police and your insurance company when a crash causes injury or death or $1,000 or more in property damage. Reporting only to your insurer is not enough, and failing to report can bring a fine and a suspension.

Leaving the scene

If you witness a crash

Do not slow down to look. If no help is there yet, park off the road with flashers on, check for injuries, call the police, and put flares or triangles 200 feet or more in front of and behind the crash. Stay away from fallen electrical wires.