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61 – Traffic Safety <br /> <br /> <br />Policy & Procedure Page 13 of 19 <br />submit the Department copy for data entry. The operator’s copy <br />and court copies will be submitted to the Court Officer who shall <br />bring it to the District Court. DO NOT GIVE THE VIOLATOR A <br />COPY. This is for registry reporting purposes only. <br /> <br />The District Court, upon a guilty finding, will submit the officer's <br />citation to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, who will suspend the <br />defendant's Motor Vehicle License. <br /> <br />3. License Suspensions/Revocations [61.1.5(b)] <br /> <br />a. If the officer has probable cause to believe that an operator is under <br />suspension or is revoked, a Criminal Complaint or an arrest may be <br />appropriate depending on circumstances. The vehicle shall be handled in <br />accordance with the departmental policy 83C - Towing Motor Vehicles <br />and Inventory Procedures. <br />b. Licenses are suspended for a variety of reasons. Police Officers are <br />expected to use appropriate discretion in determining if an arrest or <br />criminal complaint is appropriate. Clerical or administrative violations that <br />result from non-payment of excise taxes or for other minor violations <br />should generally be handled with the issuance of a summons. Members of <br />the public who are found to be suspended for OUI, Breathalyzer refusal, <br />habitual offender, or other serious violations are appropriate candidates for <br />arrest. <br />4. Special Enforcement <br /> <br />a. The primary responsibility for the enforcement of traffic laws and <br />regulations rests with patrol officers. However, all sworn officers, while on <br />duty, should take appropriate enforcement action for violations of traffic <br />laws and regulations when they are observed. <br />b. BICYCLES: In those areas where traffic flow is minimal, visibility is <br />unobstructed, and traffic crash experience is low, officers should exercise <br />discretion in the application of those laws regarding the safe operation of <br />bicycles. However, where there is more congestion and a greater <br />frequency of bicycle crashes, laws pertaining to the safe operation of <br />bicycles shall be strictly enforced.ii This may be done by applying relevant <br />town bylaws and any accepted Massachusetts General Laws. [61.1.5(l)] <br />c. PEDESTRIANS: Officers shall take notice of pedestrians not adhering to <br />traffic signals in place to assist in their safe crossing of streets and <br />intersections. Officers shall use discretion in addressing these persons <br />and choose to inform the pedestrians of safety measures or may choose <br />to apply relevant town bylaws and or accepted Massachusetts General <br />Laws for enforcement purposes. [61.1.5(l)] <br />d. RECREATIONAL AND SNOW VEHICLES: Officers shall take appropriate <br />enforcement action against operators of off-road recreational vehicles <br />(e.g., snowmobiles, dirt-bikes, mini-bikes) committing violations that are <br />either observed by them or reported to them.iii [61.1.5(e)]