Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 89, § 4A (2026)

Driving vehicles in a single lane; motorcycles, riding and passing

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 4A. When any way has been divided into lanes, the driver of a vehicle shall so drive that the vehicle shall be entirely within a single lane, and he shall not move from the lane in which he is driving until he has first ascertained if such movement can be made with safety. The operators of motorcycles shall not ride abreast of more than one other motorcycle, shall ride single file when passing, and shall not pass any other motor vehicle within the same lane, except another motorcycle.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 57 cases (15 in the last 5 years), 1965–2025 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Merry, 904 N.E.2d 413 (Mass. 2009).

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Commonwealth v. Merry, 904 N.E.2d 413 (Mass. 2009). “A charge of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle was subsequently dismissed and charges of violations of G. L. c. 89, § 4A, and G. L. c. 90, § 17 (civil traffic infractions included for procedural purposes), were filed.”

Commonwealth v. Jewett, 31 N.E.3d 1079 (Mass. 2015). “90, § 25; and a marked lanes violation, in violation of G. L. c. 89, § 4A. Prior to trial, the defendant filed a motion to suppress, contending that Holcroft’s entry into his garage constituted an unconstitutional search and seizure.”

United States v. Lawrence, 675 F. App'x 1 (1st Cir. 2017). · cites it 2× “Could a law enforcement officer objectively and reasonably believe that a driver had violated the Massachusetts marked lanes statute, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 89, § 4A, after observing the right two wheels of the driver’s vehicle cross a “fog line” 1 by approximately two feet while…”

Commonwealth v. Petersen, 851 N.E.2d 1102 (Mass. App. Ct. 2006). “90, § 23; and a marked lanes violation, G. L. c. 89, § 4A). Because a charge of operating a motor vehicle after license suspension for operating under the influence cannot be placed on file, see G.”

Commonwealth v. Holley, 755 N.E.2d 811 (Mass. App. Ct. 2001). “The initial stop of the vehicle was justified because Trooper Garrant observed it weaving across marked lanes, a violation of G. L. c. 89, § 4A. “Where the police have observed a traffic violation, they are warranted in stopping a vehicle.”

Commonwealth v. SCHATVEN, 499 N.E.2d 1208 (Mass. App. Ct. 1986). “90, § 24) and of failing *131 to stay within a single lane (G. L. c. 89, § 4A). The jury found the defendant guilty, upon conflicting evidence, of the former charge, and, upon a virtual admission, of the latter.”

Commonwealth v. Bouley, 107 N.E.3d 1246 (Mass. App. Ct. 2018). “The defendant pleaded guilty to the second offense portion of the complaint and, in addition, did not contest two civil infractions: a marked lanes violation under G. L. c. 89, § 4A, and a miscellaneous motor vehicle equipment violation, G.”

Commonwealth v. Dussault, 883 N.E.2d 1243 (Mass. App. Ct. 2008). “90, § 24; and two civil motor vehicle infractions: crossing marked lanes in violation of G. L. c. 89, § 4A; and exceeding the posted speed limit in violation of G.”

Commonwealth v. Fleenor, 652 N.E.2d 899 (Mass. App. Ct. 1995). · cites it 2× “90, § 24) and failing to drive within marked lanes (G. L. c. 89, § 4A 1 ). On May 11, 1992, he was arraigned in the Gloucester District Court at which time the case was continued for a pretrial conference to May 26, 1992.”

Commonwealth v. Flanagan, 923 N.E.2d 101 (Mass. App. Ct. 2010). “Mello suffered a severe compound fracture of her left leg, injuries to her left foot that required several surgeries, a lacerated liver, fractured ribs, and a concussion. She was hospitalized for two weeks and could not walk without assistance for five months.”

Commonwealth v. McGrail, 647 N.E.2d 712 (Mass. 1995). “), and a civil marked lanes infraction in violation of G. L. c. 89, § 4A (1992 ed.). On the first day of trial, the defendant filed a motion in limine to prohibit the Commonwealth from introducing evidence that the defendant refused to perform a field sobriety test at the scene…”

Commonwealth v. Pelletier, 868 N.E.2d 613 (Mass. 2007). “90, § 23; and failing to drive within marked lanes, in violation of G. L. c. 89, § 4A (a civil infraction included in the complaint for procedural purposes only).”

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