USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1937 > Part 20
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(u) "Rotary Traffic." The counter clockwise operation of a ve- hicle around an object or structure.
Article II-Authority and Duties of Police
Section 1. Officers to Direct. Traffic. It shall be the duty of of- ficers designated by the Chief of Police to enforce the provisions of these rules and orders. Such officers are hereby authorized to direct all traffic either in person or by means of visible or audible signals in conformance with the provisions of these rules and orders, pro- vided that in the event of a fire or other emergency to expedite traffic or safeguard pedestrians, officers of the police or fire depart- ments may direct traffic, as conditions may require, notwithstanding the provisions of these rules and orders.
Section 2. Police May Close Streets Temporarily. The Chief of Police is hereby authorized to close temporarily, any street or high-
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way in an impending or existing emergency, or for any lawful as- semblage, demonstration, or procession, provided there is reasonable justification for the closing of such street.
Section 3. Police May Prohibit Parking Temporarily. The Chief of Police is hereby authorized to prohibit, temporarily, parking on any street or highway or part thereof in an impending or existing emergency, or for a lawful assemblage, demonstration, or procession, provided there is a reasonable justification for such prohibition. Ve- hicles parked in places where parking is prohibited temporarily may be moved by or under the direction of an officer.
Section 4. Exemptions. The provisions of these rules and orders shall not apply to operators actually engaged in work upon a street or highway closed to travel or under construction or repair, to of- ficers when engaged in the performance of public duties nor to drivers of emergency vehicles while operating in an emergency and in performance of public duties when the nature of the work of any of these necessitates a departure from any part of these rules and orders. These exemptions shall not, however, protect the driver of any vehicle from the consequences of a reckless disregard of the safety of others.
Section 5. Chief of Police to Make Annual Accident Report. The Chief of Police shall make an annual report concerning the acci- dent situation in the town accompanied by his recommendations.
Section 6. Police to Keep a Driver File.
(a) The police shall keep a record of all operators involved in accidents within the municipality.
(b) The Chief of Police shall report to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles such operators as are found to be constant violators of these regulations.
Article III-Traffic Signs, Signals, Markings and Zones Section 1. Traffic Signs and Signals :
(a) The Board of Selectmen is hereby authorized and as to those signs and signals required hereunder it shall be its duty to place and maintain or cause to be placed and maintained all official traffic signs, signals, markings and safety zones. All signs, signals, mark- ings and safety zones shall conform to the standards as prescribed by the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts.
(b) Sections 2 and 3 of Article II and Sections 2 to 5 inclusive of Article V relating to parking shall be effective only during such time as a sufficient number of official signs are erected and main- tained in each block designating the provisions of such sections and located so as to be easily visible to aproaching drivers.
(c) Sections relating to one-way streets shall be effective only during such time as a sufficient number of official signs are erected and maintained at each of the exits for each one-way street, so that at least one sign will be clearly visible for a distance of at least seventy-five (75) feet to drivers approaching such an exit.
Section 2. Interference with Signs, Signals and Markings Pro- hibited. Any person who wilfully defaces, injures, moves or ob- structs or interferes with any official traffic sign, signal or marking shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding twenty ($20) dollars for each and every offence.
Section 3. Obedience to Traffic Signs and Signals. No driver of any vehicle shall disobey the instructions of any official traffic con- trol signal, sign, marking, marker or legend, unless otherwise direct- ed by a police officer.
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Article IV-Zones of Quiet
Section 1. Zones of quiet.
(a) All of the territory within two hundred feet of the prem- ises of each hospital in this town is hereby created and established as a Zone of Quiet. The Chief of Police is hereby authorized to erect and maintain in a conspicuous manner within this area such signs and markings as are necessary to designate it as a zone of quiet.
(b) The Board of Selectmen may temporarily establish a zone of quiet upon any street where a person is seriously ill, if requested to do so by the written statement of at least two registered physic- ians certifying to its necessity. Said temporary zone of quiet shall embrace all territory within a radius of two hundred (200) feet of the building occupied by the person named in the request of said physicians. Said temporary zones of quiet shall be designated by the police by placing at a conspicuous place in the street a sign or marker bearing the words "Zone of Quiet."
(c) No person operating a motor vehicle within any designated and signed zone of quiet shall sound the horn or other warning de- vice of said vehicle except in an emergency.
Article V-Parking
Section 1. General Prohibitions. No person shall park a ve- hicle in any of the following places and vehicles found parked in violation of the provisions of this section may be moved by or under the direction of an officer and at the expense of the owner to a place where parking is permitted.
(a) Within an intersection.
(b) Upon any sidewalk.
(c) Upon any crosswalk.
(d) Upon the roadway in a rural or sparsely settled district.
(e) Upon a roadway where parking is permitted unless both wheels on the right side of the vehicle are within twelve (12) inches of the curb or edge of the roadway, except upon those streets which are designated as one-way streets. On such one-way streets vehicles shall be parked in the direction in which said vehicle is moving and with both wheels within twelve (12) inches of the curb. This shall not apply to streets or parts of streets where angle parking is re- quired by these regulations.
(f) Upon any roadway where the parking of a vehicle will not leave a clear and unobstructed lane at least ten (10) feet wide for passing traffic.
(g) Upon any street or highway within fifteen (15) feet of a fire hydrant.
(h) Upon or in front of any private road or driveway.
(i) Upon any street or highway within twenty-five (25) feet of an intersecting way except at intersections where official signs indicate a greater distance and except alleys.
Section 2. Prohibited on Certain Streets.
(a) Upon the following streets or highways or parts thereof parking is hereby prohibited:
Blaney street, notherly side, from Redington street to the right angle turn in said Blaney street.
Blaney street, both sides, from Humphrey street to the right angle turn in said Blaney street.
Devens road, northeasterly side, for its entire length between Walker road and Redington street.
Humphrey street, southerly side, between the easterly side of Marshall street and Puritan road at the westerly intersection thereof. Marshall street, both sides.
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Middlesex avenue, northerly side, within a distance of fifty (50) feet from Burrill street.
Mountain avenue, southeasterly side, from Beach avenue to the Lynn line.
Monument avenue, both sides, from Burrill street to Elmwood road.
New Ocean street, westerly side, opposite the premises occupied by the engine house between Pine street and a point 40 feet beyond the northerly line of said premises.
New Ocean street, southeasterly side, between the Fire Station and Rock avenue.
Orient court, both sides.
Phillips street, southwesterly side, for its entire length to Clare- mont terrace.
Roadway adjacent to the west side of the Soldiers' Monument and lying between Humphrey street and Burrill street.
Redington street, both sides, between Humphrey street and Rock- land street.
Ways to the beach opposite Greenwood avenue and opposite Orient court.
Woodbine avenue, both sides.
(b) During the period beginning May 1st and ending October 31 of each year no vehicle shall be parked on the following streets: Cedar Hill terrace, both sides, between Humphrey street and Bay View avenue.
Fuller terrace, both sides.
Greenwood avenue, both sides, between Humphrey street and King street.
Humphrey terrace, both sides.
Ingalls terrace, both sides.
Puritan road, both sides.
Rose street, both sides.
Section 3. Prohibited During Certain Hours on Certain Streets.
(a) No person shall park a vehicle between the hours of 8 A.M. and 3 P.M. on the days when the Parochial School is in session on any of the following streets or parts of streets:
Blaney street, southerly side, 50 ft. west of Redington street for a distance of 150 feet.
(b) No person shall park a vehicle between the hours of 10 P.M. and 5 A.M. on any of the following streets or parts of streets:
Humphrey street, northerly side, from a point 200 ft. east of Redington street to within 138 ft. of Blaney street.
(c) No person shall park a vehicle between the hours of 8 A.M. and 12 P.M. on any of the following streets or parts thereof:
Greenwood avenue, westerly side, from Rockland street to Red- ington street.
(d) During the period beginning May 1st and ending October 31st, no person shall park a vehicle between the hours of 11 A.M. and 7 P.M. on any of the following streets or parts of streets: Bay View avenue, both sides.
Rockland street, both sides.
(e) During the period beginning May 1st and ending October 31st, no person shall park a vehicle between the hours of 8 A.M. and 8 P.M. on any of the following streets or parts of streets:
Atlantic avenue, between Humphrey street and the Marblehead line.
Beach Bluff avenue, from Bradlee avenue to Atlantic avenue. Bellevue road, from the B. & M. R. R. to Beach Bluff avenue. Bradlee avenue, from Phillips avenue to Atlantic avenue. Estabrook road.
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Eulow street.
Hawthorne road.
Mostyn street.
Ocean avenue, between Humphrey street and the beach. Palmer avenue.
Phillips avenue, from Bradlee avenue to Atlantic avenue. Section 4. Time Limited in Designated Places:
(a) No person shall park a vehicle for longer than one (1) hour at any time between the hours of 7 A.M. and 11 P.M. of any day in the following described streets or parts thereof:
Burrill street, northerly side, from Humphrey street to the east- erly roadway of Monument avenue.
Humphrey street, southerly side from the Metropolitan Park Reservation to the westerly end of Puritan road.
Humphrey street, northerly side, from the westerly junction with Puritan road to Burrill street.
Section 5. Angle Parking.
(a) The Board of Selectmen shall determine upon what streets angle parking shall be permitted and shall mark or sign such streets or cause the same to be marked or signed.
(b) Upon streets or parts of streets which have been marked or signed for angle parking, vehicles shall be parked with one wheel within twelve (12) inches of the curb and at the angle to the curb indicated by such marks or official signs. The vehicle shall be parked so that all four wheels of the vehicle shall be placed wholly within the painted lines.
Section 6. Parking Vehicles for Sale Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to park upon a street or highway any ve- hicle displayed for sale.
Section 7. No All Night Parking. It shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle, other than one acting in an emergency, to park said vehicle on any street for a period of time longer than one (1) hour between the hours of 1 A.M. and 6 A.M. of any day.
Section 8. Lights' on Parked Cars. In accordance with the pro- visions of Chapter 90, Section 7 of the General Laws, parking of a motor vehicle at night without lights is hereby permitted when and where not otherwise prohibited by this regulation.
Article VI-One Way Streets
Section 1. One-Way Streets. Upon the following streets or parts of streets vehicular traffic shall move only in the direction in- dicated below:
Elmwood road, northeasterly, between Monument avenue and Sheridan road.
Section 2. Rotary Traffic. Traffic shall move in a counter clock- wise direction about the islands located at the intersection of Mon- ument avenue and Elmwood road, and Humphrey street, Burrill street and Monument avenue.
Article VII-Operation of Vehicles
Section 1. Drive within Marked Lanes. When any roadway has been divided into lanes, a driver of a vehicle shall drive so as to be entirely within a single lane and shall not move from the lane in which he is driving until he has first ascertained if such movement can be made with safety.
Section 2. Use Right Lane. Upon all roadways the driver of a vehicle shall drive in the lane nearest the right side of the roadway when said lane is available for travel except when overtaking an- other vehicle or when preparing for a left turn.
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Section 3. Overtake Only When There Is Space Ahead. The driver of vehicle shall not overtake and pass a vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless there is sufficient clear space ahead on the right side of the roadway to permit the overtaking to be complet- ed without impeding the safe operation of any vehicle ahead.
Section 4. Driver to Give Way to Overtaking Vehicle. The driver of a vehicle when about to be overtaken and passed by an- other vehicle approaching from the rear shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle, on suitable and audible signal being given by the driver of the overtaking vehicle, and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the over- taking vehicle.
Section 5. Obstructing Traffic.
(a) No person shall drive in such a manner as to obstruct un- necessarily the normal movement of traffic upon any street or high- way. Officers are hereby authorized to require any driver who fails to comply with this section to drive to the side of the roadway and wait until such traffic as has been delayed has passed.
(b) No driver shall enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk and on the right half of the roadway to accommodate the vehicle he is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians notwithstanding any traffic control signal indication to proceed.
Section 6. Following Too Closely. The driver of a vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and pru- dent having due regard to the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon and condition of the street or highway.
Section 7. Slow Vehicle to Stay 200 Feet Apart. Upon road- ways less than twenty-seven (27) feet wide and upon which vehicu- lar traffic is permitted to operate in both directions the driver of any slow-moving vehicle when traveling outside of a business or resi- dential district shall not follow another slow-moving vehicle within two hundred (200) feet, but this shall not be construed to prevent such slow-moving vehicle from overtaking and passing another slow-moving vehicle. This section shall not apply to funerals or other lawful processions.
Section 8. Care in Starting, Stopping, Turning or Backing. The driver of any vehicle before starting, stopping, turning from a direct line or backing shall first see that such movement can be made in safety. If the operation of another vehicle should be affected, by a stopping or turning movement, the driver of such vehicle shall be given a plainly visible signal, as required by the following section.
Section 9. Stopping and Turning Signals.
(a) Any signal herein required shall be given sufficient time in advance of the movement indicated to give ample warning to any person who may be affected by said movement, and shall be given either by means of the hand and arm in the manner specified or by a suitable mechanical or electrical device, except that when a vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to prevent the hand and arm signal from being made or from being visible both to the front and rear, the signal shall be given by a suitable device.
(b) Hand and arm signals, as required herein shall be made as follows:
1. An intention to stop shall be indicated by extending the arm horizontally to the left of and beyond the side of the vehicle.
2. An intention to turn to the left shall be indicated by ex- . tending the arm horizontally to the left of and beyond the side of the vehicle, and by pointing to the left with the index finger.
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3. An intention to turn to the right shall be indicated by ex- tending the arm horizontally to the left of and beyond the side of the vehicle, and by moving the hand in a circle.
Section 10. Sound Horn When Necessary. The driver of a ve- hicle shall give an audible warning with his horn or other suitable warning device whenever necessary to insure safe operation.
Section 11. Obedience to Traffic Control Signals. Colors and arrow indications in traffic control signals shall have the commands ascribed to them in this section, and no other meanings, and every driver of a vehicle or other conveyance shall comply therewith, ex- cept when otherwise directed by an officer or by a lawful traffic regu- lating sign (other than a "stop" sign) signal or device. In no case shall a driver enter or proceed through an intersection without due regard to the safety of other persons within the intersection regard- less of what indications may be given by traffic control signals.
(a) Green: While the green lens is illuminated, drivers facing the signal may proceed through the intersection, but shall yield the right of way to pedestrians and vehicles lawfully within a crosswalk or the intersection at the time such signal was exhibited. Drivers of vehicles making a right or left turn shall yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing with the flow of traffic.
(b) Right, Left and Vertical Green Arrows: When a right green arrow is illuminated, drivers facing said signal may turn right. When a left green arrow is illuminated, drivers facing said signal may turn left. When a vertical green arrow is illuminated, drivers facing said signal may go straight ahead. When a green arrow is exhibited together with a red or a yellow lens, drivers may enter the intersection to make the movement permitted by the arrow, but shall yield the right of way to vehicles and pedestrians proceeding from another direction on a green indication.
(c) Yellow: While the yellow lens is illuminated, waiting drivers shall not proceed and any driver approaching the intersection or a marked stop line, shall stop at such point unless so close to the intersection that a stop cannot be made in safety, provided, however, that if a green arrow is illuminated at the same time, drivers may enter the intersection to make the movement permitted by such arrow.
(d) Red: While the red lens is illuminated, drivers facing the signal shall stop outside of the intersection, or at such point as may be clearly marked by a sign or line, provided, however, that if a green arrow is illuminated at the same time, drivers may enter the intersection to make the movement permitted by such arrow.
(e) Red and Yellow: While the red and yellow lenses are illumi- nated together, drivers shall not enter the intersection and during such time the intersection shall be reserved for the exclusive use of pedestrians.
(f) Flashing Red: The flashing red lens shall indicate those in- tersections at which a driver is required by law to stop before enter- ing.
(g) Flashing Yellow: A flashing yellow lens shall indicate the presence of a hazard and drivers may proceed only with caution.
(h) Flashing Green: A flashing green lens shall indicate an in- tersection or pedestrian crosswalk in use or subject to use by enter- ing or crossing traffic. Drivers may proceed only with caution and shall be prepared to comply with a change in the signal to a red or red and yellow indication.
Section 12. Obedience to Isolated Stop Signs. Every driver of a vehicle or other conveyance, approaching an intersection of ways where there exists facing him an official sign, bearing the word
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"stop" and authorized by this section, said sign having apart from this regulation the written approval of the Department of Public Works, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and such approval being in effect, shall, before proceeding through the intersection, bring such vehicle or other conveyance to a complete stop at such point as may be clearly marked by a sign or line, or if a point is not so marked, then at a place between the said "stop" sign and the near- er line of the street intersection. In the case of a line of two or more vehicles approaching such "stop" sign, the drivers of the sec- ond and third vehicles in line in any group shall not be required to stop more than once before proceeding through the intersection. This section shall not apply when the traffic is otherwise directed by an officer or by a lawful traffic regulating sign, signal or device.
In accordance with the foregoing the erection and maintenance of an official "stop" sign or signs are authorized so as to face:
Southeastbound drivers on Salem street at Humphrey street. Southbound drivers on Ingalls terrace at Humphrey street.
Westbound drivers on Middlesex avenue at Burrill street.
North and southbound drivers on Norfolk avenue at Middlesex avenue.
Eastbound drivers on Danvers road at Essex street.
Northwest and southeastbound drivers on Banks road at Walker road.
Section 13. Keep to the Right of Roadway Division. Upon such roadways as are divided by a parkway, grass plot, reservation, or by any structure or area, drivers shall keep to the right of such division except when otherwise directed by an officer, signs, signals or mark- ings.
Article VIII-Accident Reports, Responsibility, Penalties and Repeals
Section 1. Drivers Must Report Accidents. The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in the injury or death of any person or property damage to an apparent total extent of twen- ty-five ($25) dollars or more shall within twenty-four (24) hours make a full and complete report in writing of such accident to the police headquarters in this town. A driver who has been incapacitat- ed as a result of such accident, and to such extent as to make re- porting impossible or unfavorable to his recovery, shall not be re- quired to report such accident until he has recovered sufficiently to be able to do so. The report shall be made in a form furnished by the police department, copies of which shall be available at the police station. Compliance with this section, however, shall not relieve such driver from the additional responsibility of reporting to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles any accident in which a person is killed or injured.
Section 2. Owner Prima Facie Responsible for Violations. If any vehicle is found upon any street or highway in violation of any provisions of these rules and orders and the identity of the driver cannot be determined, the owner or the person in whose name such vehicle is registered, shall be held prima facie responsible for such violations.
Section 3. Penalty. Except as otherwise provided by statute or by any commission department or other body, authorized by law to impose penalties for violations of rules, regulations and orders gov- erning the use and operation of vehicles, any person convicted of violating any of the provisions of the foregoing rules and regulations shall be punished by a fine of not more than $2.00 for the first of- fence and not more than $20.00 for each subsequent offence of a like nature committed during any period of one year unless otherwise herein provided.
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Section 4. Repeal. These rules are adopted with the intent that each of them shall have force and effect separately and inde- pendently of every other except insofar as by express reference or necessary implication any rule or any part of a rule is made de- pendent upon another rule or part thereof.
The provisions of these rules so far as they are the same in ef- fect as those of any valid existing rules, orders or regulations here- tofore made by the Selectmen of Swampscott relative to or in con- nection with official signs, lights, markings, signal systems or de- vices shall be construed as a continuation thereof, but all other ex- isting rules, orders and regulations so made for the regulation of vehicles are hereby expressly repealed. This repeal, however, shall not affect any punishment or penalty imposed or any complaint or prosecution pending at the time of the passage hereof for an offense committed under any of the said rules, orders or regulations hereby repealed.
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