Exemptions

(1) Exemptions. The provisions of 700 CMR 9.00 shall not apply to persons acting in conformity with the direction of an officer, to persons or drivers actually engaged in work upon a highway closed to travel or under construction or repair when the nature of their work necessitates a departure from any part of 700 CMR 9.00, to officers when engaged in the performance of public duties which necessitates a departure from any part of 700 CMR 9.00, nor to drivers of emergency vehicles while operating in an emergency and in performance of public duties which necessitate a departure from any part of 700 CMR 9.00, or to drivers of emergency vehicles while operating in an emergency and in performance of public duties which necessitate a departure from any part of 700 CMR 9.00. These exemptions shall not, however, protect the driver of any vehicle from the consequence of a reckless disregard of the safety of others. (2) Owner Prima Facie Responsible for Violations. If any vehicle is found upon any street or highway in violation of any provision of 700 CMR 9.00 and orders and the identity of the driver cannot be determined, the owner or the person in whose name such a vehicle is registered shall be held prima facie responsible for such violations. (3) Obedience to Police. No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of a police officer in regard to the direction, control or regulation of traffic. Any person acting in conformity with any such order or direction shall be relieved from the observance of any provision of 700 CMR 9.00 with which the order or direction may conflict. (4) Obedience to Signs, etc. No person shall disobey the instructions of any official sign, signal, marking or marker. (5) Penalties. Any person convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of 700 CMR 9.09 shall be punished as provided in M.G.L. c. 90, § 18A. Any person convicted of a parking violation of any provision of 700 CMR 9.00 shall be punished as provided in M.G.L. c. 90, § 20A 1/2. Any person convicted of a violation of any other rule made hereunder shall be punished by a fine of not more than $ 20 for each offense.