Speed Limits
G.L. c. 90, § 17 — 30 in a thickly settled district, 40 or 50 outside, and 20 in a school zone
In Massachusetts, no one drives faster than is reasonable and proper for the traffic, the road and public safety. Where no other limit is posted, the speeds below are evidence of driving too fast.
| Where | Over |
|---|---|
| WhereA divided highway outside a thickly settled or business district, for a quarter of a mile | OverFifty miles per hour |
| WhereAny other way outside such a district, for a quarter of a mile | OverForty miles per hour |
| WhereInside a thickly settled or business district, for one-eighth of a mile | OverThirty miles per hour |
| WhereA school zone a city or town has set up | OverTwenty miles per hour |
Speeding in a marked construction zone doubles the fine. A driver slows for special hazards to pedestrians or traffic, or for weather or road conditions, whatever the posted limit.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.L. c. 90, § 17 — Speed limits
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Massachusetts attorney.