The Last Hundred Feet
G.L. c. 90, § 14B — a plainly visible signal before stopping or turning, and a fine of not less than twenty five dollars
Before stopping or turning. Every person operating a motor vehicle, before stopping or making any turning movement that would affect the operation of any other vehicle, gives a plainly visible signal by activating the brake lights or directional lights or signal provided on the vehicle.
| The signal | By hand and arm, if the lights are not working |
|---|---|
| The signalTurn left | By hand and arm, if the lights are not workingHand and arm extended horizontally |
| The signalTurn right | By hand and arm, if the lights are not workingHand and arm extended upward |
| The signalStop or decrease speed | By hand and arm, if the lights are not workingHand and arm extended downward |
When the lights are out. If electrical or mechanical signals are not operating or not provided, a plainly visible hand and arm signal is made instead.
The penalty. Whoever violates the section is punished by a fine of not less than twenty five dollars for each offense.
The section sets no distance before a turn. Hand and arm signals, and the equipment a vehicle must carry for them, are set out in neighboring sections that are not all on this page. What a particular stop or ticket means is a question for a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.L. c. 90, § 14B — Uniform stopping and turning signals on ways
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Massachusetts attorney.