State House lawmakers to consider a slew of traffic safety measures

BOSTON — Traffic safety takes center stage on Beacon Hill Monday. Local lawmakers are taking up a bill that Governor Charlie Baker submitted back in April. If passed, it could mean some major changes for drivers

The bill allows for municipalities to install red light cameras that would take photos of cars that run red lights or make an illegal turn on red. But it would not take pictures of speeders. The bill proposes to change the seat belt law from a secondary law, to a primary law, meaning a police officer could pull you over if you weren’t wearing one. In the bill the governor submitted, it creates stricter punishments for drivers who continue to drive after losing their license.

To help keep bicyclists safe, the bill also requires drivers to give at least three feet of space when passing someone riding a bike. It also requires the motorist to travel at a reasonable speed when there isn’t a physical bike lane. Another added safety measure for bicyclists is to require large state-owned vehicles to have side guards. Currently, Boston and Cambridge city-owned trucks already have that requirement.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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