Massachusetts

Gov. Baker Files Bill to Toughen Commercial Driver Rules in Mass.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is filing legislation aimed at toughening regulations for commercial drivers.

The bill follows a deadly crash last month that killed seven motorcyclists in New Hampshire in a collision with a truck. The 23-year-old driver, Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, of West Springfield, has pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide and remains behind bars.

Baker said Friday his bill would raise the state's standards for commercial driver's licenses above federal standards.

Under the bill, those applying for a commercial driver's license would have to demonstrate a history of good driving and would be ineligible if they have been suspended or disqualified from driving at any time in the prior three years.

Connecticut officials twice alerted Massachusetts about a drunken driving arrest against Zhukovskyy, but Massachusetts failed to suspend his license.

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