Massachusetts Traffic Law Question

[LowGo]

I've got a question for you guys here in MA. On my way back to the hotel today, I get off the freeway and come to the traffic light at the intersection. I'm a few cars back, and I notice that there are no lights lite on the traffic light. At first I thought that the light was burnt out. Well, the cars in front of me finally start moving and as I get up to the light, I notice that the lights for the other direction aren't working either. These aren't flashing yellow or red, they are completely out.

Well, back in Oregon, the rule is that when the traffic light at an intersection isn't working, it is to be treated as a 4 way stop. It doesn't seem to be the same here, as I got some very strange looks (and unhappy people behind me) when I stopped at the intersection to let the next car going the other way take their turn. Seems like it was a dumb decision as well, because it wasn't just the next guy that went, a whole string of cars just kept going through the intersection! It happened this way at every intersection from there to my hotel. Nobody treated the intersections as a 4 way stop. I'm amazed I didn't see any accidents!

So, is MA traffic law different when it comes to non-functioning traffic signals?

[formerice]

I believe in Mass, traffic laws are more like survival of the fittest! Used to dread driving thru Mass, but now I kinda like it, kinda like a cross between Daytona 500 and bumper cars. Of course in Maine we entertain ourselves by telling stories about drivin thru Mass and livin to tell about it.

[dchemi]

I would guess for obvious safety reasons that the law is the same in every state. Could just be a higher concentration of impatient people in MA.

[BlackCharger06]

signals are a sign of weekness. Yellow means floor it not slow down. 55 is the speed limit, but ya always go as fast as the guy in front of you is going, as long as u don't see any crown vics in your rear veiw it's fine. Everyone is in a hurry to go nowhere. If you hit someone in a cross walk and there body lands out side of the cross walk when it hits the grounds you just keep going. If they are dead they can't sue. These are the rules I just follow them.

[LowGo]

signals are a sign of weekness. Yellow means floor it not slow down. 55 is the speed limit, but ya always go as fast as the guy in front of you is going, as long as u don't see any crown vics in your rear veiw it's fine. Everyone is in a hurry to go nowhere. If you hit someone in a cross walk and there body lands out side of the cross walk when it hits the grounds you just keep going. If they are dead they can't sue. These are the rules I just follow them.

You don't drive between Littleton and Tewksbury do you? If so, I'm going to be on the lookout for any black Chargers and make sure I get out of the way!

I also wonder if anyone has explained to these drivers that when you go up a slight incline, you have to give the car a bit more gas to maintain the same speed. Every day so far, going down the highway, whenever there's a slight incline in the road, the traffic slows down. Once you crest the incline and start going down the other side, the speed picks up again. Very odd to me! Otherwise, I find MA drivers to be pretty much the same. On the highway, the left lane is bumper to bumper... the center lane has a few more open spots... and the right lane has the fewest cars!

[bipto]

I've got a question for you guys here in MA. On my way back to the hotel today, I get off the freeway and come to the traffic light at the intersection. I'm a few cars back, and I notice that there are no lights lite on the traffic light. At first I thought that the light was burnt out. Well, the cars in front of me finally start moving and as I get up to the light, I notice that the lights for the other direction aren't working either. These aren't flashing yellow or red, they are completely out.

Well, back in Oregon, the rule is that when the traffic light at an intersection isn't working, it is to be treated as a 4 way stop. It doesn't seem to be the same here, as I got some very strange looks (and unhappy people behind me) when I stopped at the intersection to let the next car going the other way take their turn. Seems like it was a dumb decision as well, because it wasn't just the next guy that went, a whole string of cars just kept going through the intersection! It happened this way at every intersection from there to my hotel. Nobody treated the intersections as a 4 way stop. I'm amazed I didn't see any accidents!

So, is MA traffic law different when it comes to non-functioning traffic signals?

Indeed, in most places where I have had the pleasure of driving, signal lamps that aren't working legally are treated as 4-way stops. Except, of course, in MA, where they are regarded as a "free for all" in which Darwinian laws apply... :lol:

[Trouble]

Oh man the slowing down on a hill bugs the bejeebus outta me! People just CANNOT drive at a consistent speed....It's like just a genetic impossibility around here. You can be doing 80 in the middle lane and someone will pass you, get back in front of you doing 85 and within 2 minutes he's doing 70....Oh man what a pet peeve of mine. It's just insane. As for the traffic lights being out...Yep, Darwinism at its best 'round these parts. The staties go from town to town shutting them down occasionally to try to weed out the weak!
-Trouble

[jtkirk]

This whole conversation amuses me. I'm a MA driver, and I feel exactly the same way when I go visit my in-laws... in RI!

I guess it's a matter of degrees, but I find Boston area drivers to be downright civilized compared to the yahoos cruising around Providence. At least they know what directional lights are for.

[mrg]

I live in Boston and I drive everyday here,it's not that we are impatient it's that we have people to see and places to go.After all time is money here big money, we don't have time to fool around like some other states.We know were we are going and we know how to get there in a timely matter.we take are driving very very seriously.

[boggart]

So in other words people in Boston view themselves as the center of the universe and whatever you're doing must be more important that whatever the guy in the next car is doing???

[FOHN_JARGO]

I was stationed in New Hampshire. They refer to Massachusetts drivers as M*******s.

[mrg]

Now read again what I wrote and this time try to understand.

[boggart]

I understood fully what you wrote. I just paraphrased for you instead of beating around the bush. If you were considerate in the least, you would stop at a 4 way stop, however you are the center of your universe and the kid being rushed to the hospital in the car that you just cut off is not as important as your high powered lunch date. I understand.

[mrg]

???? If that is what you see than you are a needle minded knuckle head,now stop stealing the company time and get back to work.

[jtkirk]

I don't think think mrg has done enough justice to the Boston driver point of view....

Let me start with a general statement - It pisses me the hell off when drivers from any state, be it MA or Oregon, cut someone off, or don't obey right-of-way rules. People who do this as a habit, under any traffic conditions, simply can't justify what they're doing. It's both selfish and dangerous. I am NOT defending them.

But I have to concede - it's true, Boston area drivers tend to be 'in a rush'. They're not as bad that way as New Yorkers, but they can be pretty obnoxious all the same.

However, being 'in a rush' does not necessarily equate to 'bad driver'. I tend to accelerate quickly, and don't usually feel inclined to be nice and let someone in ahead of me, when they don't have right of way. I do this not only because my time is precious to me, but also because I have respect for the 40 other people behind me who will also have to wait for me to let this one guy in.

In spite of my self-centered attitude, I follow the golden rule. I treat other drivers exactly how I wish to be treated. I NEVER cut people off. I make sure there are at least four lengths between cars in adjacent lanes before I enter. I almost never make people hit the brakes as a result of my individual actions (unless I'm on a two-lane road and have to turn off). If someone on my left reaches a 4 way stop even a quarter second before I do, I wait patiently for them to go first.

One point I have to grant to the MA bashers (this one's a major pet peve of mine, and it really bugs me that most MA drivers do this) - let's say I reach a green light with the intent of turning left at the intersection. There are two cars coming the other way (from ahead of me), and the first guy signals to his left. I will absolutely wait until the second guy is long past the intersection before I even consider turning left. Most MA drivers will take the first guy as 'running interference', and try to book through the intersection ahead of the second guy.

Them's the rules. If you can't follow them, don't get in a car.

I realize there are a lot of drivers in Boston who aren't such sticklers. Part of it is pragmatic - when you deal with as much traffic as Bostonians do, you don't have a choice sometimes but to stick your nose in and go. But it's very clear when you're in one of those heavy traffic situations, compared to the 'light traffic but I'll do it anyway' approach. They're the reason for the 'm*******' nickname. I hate them as much as any New Hampsterite.