Stacey Beuttell, Executive Director of WalkBoston, added, “WalkBoston is pleased that this legislation has been signed; this law will encourage people driving to focus solely on that task, making streets safer for people walking & running in communities across Massachusetts. We’re hopeful that this long-awaited signing will kick off a focus on traffic safety for this next legislative session.”
Posted November 25, 2019
Great Day of Action for Road Safety on Beacon Hill
A packed room heard from Governor Baker, Text Less Live More, Children’s Hospital, AAA, SADD, and co-sponsors of three important bills:
The Hands-Free Bill(s)
Chairman Wagner & Representative Donato are sponsoring HD1534
Chairman Straus is sponsoring HD1420
Representative Provost is sponsoring HD1346
Senator Montigny is sponsoring SD1383
Senators Creem & Brownsberger are sponsoring SD897
Automated Enforcement Bill
Senator William Brownsberger is sponsoring SD1461
An Act to Reduce Traffic Fatalities
Senator William Brownsberger is sponsoring SD847
Representative Hecht and Representative Rogers are sponsoring HD1653
WalkBoston Executive Director Wendy Landman explains an aspect of the bill.
The morning was organized by the Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition (WalkBoston, Safe Roads Alliance, MassBike, LivableStreets Alliance, Boston Cyclists Union, Transportation for Massachusetts & more) & Text Less Live More. After info packets were distributed, people were off to meet with their legislators and talk about why these efforts would make MA roads safer in their own communities. Thank you to everyone who came together today to work towards safer streets, and thank you to all of the legislators and staff that attended and listened throughout the day!
Were you unable to make it to Beacon Hill, but want to get involved with WalkBoston’s efforts?
WalkBoston is increasing our outreach to communities across the state with the WalkMassachusetts Network. We hope your local group will sign up to get involved, and see how we can work together to improve walking in your community!
The Massachusetts Legislature’s website has a great tool to find your elected officials. If you send an email to your legislator about these efforts, please copy us so we can keep track of outreach efforts! Not sure what else to include in your phone call or email message? MassBike created helpful talking points for phone calls about each of the bills.
WalkBoston took part in the Rally for the Hands Free legislation that has passed the Senate and currently stuck in the House Ways and Means Committee – we’re hopeful it will come to a floor vote before the end of the session. Thank you to the Levitans from Text Less Live More & Emily Stein from Safe Roads Alliance for continuing share their stories to ensure our roads are safer. Find your legislator here – call and ask for the bill to be brought to the floor for a vote!
