Mass. Gen. Laws » Part I Title XIV Chapter 90
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 17 (2026)

Speed limits

✓ current as of July 2026
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Section 17. No person operating a motor vehicle on any way shall run it at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper, having regard to traffic and the use of the way and the safety of the public. Unless a way is otherwise posted in accordance with the provisions of section eighteen, it shall be prima facie evidence of a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper as aforesaid (1) if a motor vehicle is operated on a divided highway outside a thickly settled or business district at a rate of speed exceeding fifty miles per hour for a distance of a quarter of a mile, or (2) on any other way outside a thickly settled or business district at a rate of speed exceeding forty miles per hour for a distance of a quarter of a mile, or (3) inside a thickly settled or business district at a rate of speed exceeding thirty miles per hour for a distance of one-eighth of a mile, or (4) within a school zone which may be established by a city or town as provided in section two of chapter eighty-five at a rate of speed exceeding twenty miles per hour. Operation of a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of fifteen miles per hour within one-tenth of a mile of a vehicle used in hawking or peddling merchandise and which displays flashing amber lights shall likewise be prima facie evidence of a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper. If a speed limit has been duly established upon any way, in accordance with the provisions of said section, operation of a motor vehicle at a rate of speed in excess of such limit shall be prima facie evidence that such speed is greater than is reasonable and proper; but, notwithstanding such establishment of a speed limit, every person operating a motor vehicle shall decrease the speed of the same when a special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic, or by reason of weather or highway conditions. Any person in violation of this section, while operating a motor vehicle through the parameters of a marked construction zone or construction area, at a speed which exceeds the posted limit, or at a speed that is greater than is reasonable and proper, shall be subject to a fine of 2 times the amount currently in effect for the violation issued. Except on a limited access highway, no person shall operate a school bus at a rate of speed exceeding forty miles per hour, while actually engaged in carrying school children.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 82 cases (6 in the last 5 years), 1923–2026 · leading case: Commonwealth v. LeBlanc, 62 N.E.3d 34 (Mass. 2016).
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Commonwealth v. LeBlanc, 62 N.E.3d 34 (Mass. 2016). · cites it 2× “access, or any place to which members of the public have access as invitees or licensees, operates a motor vehicle recklessly, or operates such a vehicle negligently so that the lives or safety of the public might be endangered, or upon a bet or wager or in a race, or [2]…”
Commonwealth v. McCravy, 723 N.E.2d 517 (Mass. 2000). · cites it 2× “); and (6) speeding in violation of G. L. c. 90, § 17. In October, 1997, the defendant was tried before a jury in the Superior Court.”
Noyes v. Raymond, 548 N.E.2d 196 (Mass. App. Ct. 1990). · cites it 2× “Finally, Joseph asserts that the judge erred by giving an instruction based upon G. L. c. 90, § 17, which makes it prima facie evidence of operation at an unreasonable rate of speed to exceed a speed of thirty miles per hour for a distance of more, than one-eighth of a mile…”
Deguio v. United States, 732 F. Supp. 1240 (D. Mass. 1990). · cites it 7× “[and that] notwithstanding [the] establishment of a speed limit, every person operating a motor vehicle shall decrease the speed of the same when a special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic, or by reason of weather or highway conditions.”
Commonwealth v. Zimmermann, 873 N.E.2d 1215 (Mass. App. Ct. 2007). · cites it 2× “Based on his observations, information learned in the course of the investigation, and his training and experience, Walsh “deem[ed] that there [was] probable cause to believe that [the defendant] was operating the GMC at a rate of speed that was greater than reasonable and…”
Commonwealth v. Whynaught, 384 N.E.2d 1212 (Mass. 1979). · cites it 2× “The defendant, Kathleen Whynaught, was convicted of speeding pursuant to G. L. c. 90, § 17, after a jury waived trial in the First District Court of Southern Middlesex.”
Commonwealth v. Merry, 904 N.E.2d 413 (Mass. 2009). “89, § 4A, and G. L. c. 90, § 17 (civil traffic infractions included for procedural purposes), were filed.”
Swenson v. Yellow Transp., Inc., 317 F. Supp. 2d 51 (D. Mass. 2004). · cites it 3× “Such conduct, according to the plaintiffs, also violated Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 17 , which makes it unlawful to operate a motor vehicle at an excessive rate of speed.”
Commonwealth v. Jefferson, 461 Mass. 821 (Mass. 2012). “He was found “not responsible” for speeding, G. L. c. 90, § 17. Charges against each defendant of resisting arrest, in violation of G.”
Commonwealth v. Dussault, 883 N.E.2d 1243 (Mass. App. Ct. 2008). “89, § 4A; and exceeding the posted speed limit in violation of G. L. c. 90, § 17. While the jury was deliberating, defense counsel notified the judge that if the defendant was found guilty of the underlying GUI charge, he would waive a trial by jury on the third offense portion…”
Petras v. Storm, 465 N.E.2d 283 (Mass. App. Ct. 1984). · cites it 2× “90, §14, which establishes precautions for the safety of bicyclists, G. L. c. 90, § 17, which penalizes speeding, and G.”
Commonwealth v. Riche, 741 N.E.2d 871 (Mass. App. Ct. 2001). “645, 649 (1993), and of speeding, see G. L. c. 90, § 17; Commonwealth v. Heughan, 40 Mass.”
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