Truck Safety Devices
- Lateral protective device
A Lateral Protective Device (LPD) is commonly called a “Side Guard” and covers up the space between the front and rear wheels of a vehicle or trailer. They are mandated in over 30 countries and have been proven to reduce the severity of a crash. This is especially true with crashes that involve a person on a bicycle or a pedestrian and a large truck. In the United States, USDOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center has developed best practice guidance that is followed by dozens of cities around the country and now by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Side Guard Standard DOT-VNTSC-OSTR-16-05, as amended, lateral protective devices or side guards on vehicles that are subject to the provisions of this section shall be installed, throughout their length, to offer effective protection to vulnerable users against the risk of falling under the sides of the vehicle and being caught under the wheels. Lateral Protective Devices shall meet the following requirements:
- Allow for a maximum 13.8 inch ground clearance;
- Allow for a maximum 13.8 inch top clearance;
- Allow for a maximum horizontal distance between the front tire (cabover trucks) and the lateral protective device of 11.8”, however, if the front tire is located next to a step or tank, the maximum horizontal distance from the front tire to the lateral protective device shall be 3.9”, and if the front tire is located next to landing gear (semi-trailer), the maximum horizontal distance from the front tire to the lateral protective device shall be 9.8”;
- Be recessed a maximum of 1.2” from the face of the front and rear tires;
- Have a minimum impact strength of 440 pounds applied perpendicularly to any part of its surface by the center of a ram the face of which is circular and not more than 8.5 inches in diameter;
- Be essentially rigid and securely mounted and shall not be liable to loosening due to vibration in normal use of the vehicle;
- Achieve a smooth and continuous longitudinal impact surface flush with the vehicle or tire sidewall, whichever creates the outermost plane of the vehicle;
- May include rail type guards, provided that such rails shall not be less than 4 inches tall and not more than 11.8 inches apart; and
- May incorporate other vehicle features, such as tool boxes and ladders, or the function of a lateral protective device may be performed by those features, subject to approval of the Registrar.
- Convex mirrors
- Vehicles that are subject to the provisions of this section shall be equipped with convex mirrors that are door mounted, wide-angle mirrors that enable an operator to see objects along the left and right sides of a motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer or semi-trailer unit.
- Crossover mirrors
- Crossover mirrors help a driver see directly in-front of the vehicle. Vehicles that are subject to the provisions of this section shall be equipped with a mirror mounted on a hood or fender that enables the operator to see objects in the area immediately in front of a conventional cab hood.
- Backup cameras
- Vehicles that are subject to the provisions of this section shall meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111, 49 CFR 571.111(S6.2(b))-(S6.2.7).
Certification and Waiver Process
Certification
Owners of a motor vehicle that is subject to the Act must certify that the motor vehicle is equipped with Lateral Protective Devices, Convex Mirrors, Cross Over Mirrors, and Back Up Cameras. The certification and required documentation will be submitted online to RMV.
Note: This process is currently being defined and this page will be updated once developed further.
Waiver
Owners of motor vehicles that are subject to the truck safety devices may apply for a waiver from any or all of the requirements listed above.
- A vehicle cannot comply with the requirements in this section due to the design, operation or other safety considerations relating to the vehicle; or
- A vehicle is designed such that its shape, characteristics or component parts can be regarded as an adequate replacement or a functional equivalent substitute for the requirements herein.
Note: This process is currently being defined and this page will be updated once developed further.
Exemptions
The truck safety device requirements do not apply to the following vehicles:
- Ambulances, and other emergency medical vehicles
- Firefighting vehicles
- Low speed vehicle as defined in MGL c. 90, § 1
- Agricultural tractors
- Commonwealth owned vehicles leased or purchased before January 1, 2023
Guidance for Contractors
In preparation for the January 1, 2025, the effective date of the Act, all current contractors, subcontractors, vendors, and those intending to bid on or provide subcontract work under MassDOT contracts, should consider the following:
- Review Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2022 and the proposed revisions to 540 CMR 4.10.
- Conduct an immediate review their fleet to identify those vehicles that are subject to the Act.
- As soon as possible, commence the process of equipping such vehicles with required lateral protective devices, convex mirrors, cross over mirrors, and back up cameras. Early purchase and installation of required safety equipment will avoid potential supply issues that may arise later given the broad scope and application of the Act.
- Prepare all required documentation necessary to meet the certification requirements contained in the proposed regulations.
- Similarly, prepare documentation in anticipation of the prequalification renewal process, if applicable.
- Consult with other Commonwealth agencies with whom you have contracts to determine whether there are any additional agency-specific compliance requirements.