New Legislation Aims to Decrease Your Driving Miles in MA, But Promises Not to Restrict You | Carscoops

      The Freedom to Move Act is designed to cut emissions by enhancing transit options rather than restricting driving.

      A Massachusetts bill aims to lower the total miles driven across the state.

      Legislators state that there will be no penalties, taxes, or restrictions.

      Critics caution that rural drivers may be disproportionately impacted.

      In an approach that may seem paradoxical, lawmakers in Massachusetts are advocating for a bill intended to decrease driving without directly regulating drivers' behaviors. There will be no reduction in the allowable miles driven or penalties for those who drive more.

      Instead, the focus is on providing more transportation alternatives beyond driving. The hope is that improved options will lead to a decrease in reliance on cars.

      Officially named S.2246 and commonly referred to as the Freedom to Move Act, the legislation mandates that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) establish clear goals for reducing total vehicle miles traveled in the state.

      Introduced by Democratic State Senator Cynthia Creem from Newton, the bill aims to align transportation policies in Massachusetts with the state’s legally required climate targets.

      The state indicates that transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, making up approximately 40 percent of the total emissions.

      While the bill does not directly tackle these emissions, offering environmentally friendly transportation options could potentially be beneficial in the long run. Lawmakers are keen to clarify that this legislation will not prevent residents from driving or force a reduction in their driving habits.

      Can Improved Options Change Established Behaviors?

      According to Creem and other supporters, the legislation does not impose limits on individual driving, introduce new taxes, assess fines, or penalize residents based on the frequency or distance of their driving. Instead, it will concentrate on expanding alternatives such as public transit, bike lanes, pedestrian infrastructure, and ferries where suitable.

      “The Freedom to Move Act aims to ensure that we invest in all types of transportation options,” Creem told NBC Boston, emphasizing that the legislation is meant to broaden choices rather than restrict them. She also pointed out the bill's inherent flexibility, as transportation needs vary significantly across Greater Boston compared to Central Massachusetts, the Berkshires, or Cape Cod.

      The legislation will create a 15-member intergovernmental coordinating council responsible for developing strategies to reduce vehicle miles traveled. Although the bill does not establish a specific numeric target for reductions, it requires the state’s Transportation Secretary to set official goals starting in 2030, with reviews occurring every five years. Whether this initiative will yield results will likely take some time to discern.