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And don't even think of stopping on yellow -- that earned me a horn blast and finger as they zoomed around me when I first moved here. I avoid respondi

by Xurinos 16y ago

And don't even think of stopping on yellow -- that earned me a horn blast and finger as they zoomed around me when I first moved here. I avoid responding favorably to threats. If they want to break the law, that is between the cops and them. Also, I try to avoid braking suddenly. If I am stopping at a soon-to-be red light, my tailgaters are aware of it. Change starts with one person.

asmithmd1 16y ago
I don't think he meant it as a threat -- he was genuinely annoyed at my blatant disregard for local customs. And don't think the cops will make any effort to correct this. Just yesterday I sat looking at a green light and watched a cop ignore two people go through a full red light. I guess he knows there is no way the charge would be upheld. A green light is purely just advisory in Boston, be sure to look both ways also.
- Xurinos 16y ago
  The interesting thing about this anecdote is that the cops, according to their own accounts, actually have the power to choose their battles. If it is a slow day, and they have to meet some kind of quota, they are much more likely to catch those infractions. I have seen examples like yours, and I have also seen cops suddenly pop through the intersection towards red light runners. Basically, whatever culture has developed, the action is still against the law -- not to mention reckless! -- and the cops can choose to enforce it. I have seen cops going 10 MPH over speed limit on city streets without their lights on, but that does not mean I can do the same. Now I may not like every law out there, but I can definitely see (and have personally experienced!) where there is danger in people not stopping at red lights or making sudden maneuvers in order to rush a yellow. I think this is a law I can support, and this lax culture that creates a higher incidence of "accidents" is not something I can support, partially because I personally do not want to be someone else's "accident". Really, I am responding because your words suggest you are joining and assisting in this insanity, and I just wanted to let you know that not everyone approves of it. Things can change. You just have to want to change them.
- drac 16y ago
  Having out of state plates seems to help. My rental car has NY plates, that seems to reduce expectations that I'll run a yellow anywhere in Boston. Which basically means, I only experience honked annoyance about 2-3 times a week on average. The blatant disregard for posted speed limits in my corner of MA? Even with police cars parked on the side of the road? Yeah, that I just don't get.

by Xurinos 16y ago

asmithmd1 16y ago

I don't think he meant it as a threat -- he was genuinely annoyed at my blatant disregard for local customs. And don't think the cops will make any effort to correct this. Just yesterday I sat looking at a green light and watched a cop ignore two people go through a full red light. I guess he knows there is no way the charge would be upheld. A green light is purely just advisory in Boston, be sure to look both ways also.

Xurinos 16y ago
The interesting thing about this anecdote is that the cops, according to their own accounts, actually have the power to choose their battles. If it is a slow day, and they have to meet some kind of quota, they are much more likely to catch those infractions. I have seen examples like yours, and I have also seen cops suddenly pop through the intersection towards red light runners. Basically, whatever culture has developed, the action is still against the law -- not to mention reckless! -- and the cops can choose to enforce it. I have seen cops going 10 MPH over speed limit on city streets without their lights on, but that does not mean I can do the same. Now I may not like every law out there, but I can definitely see (and have personally experienced!) where there is danger in people not stopping at red lights or making sudden maneuvers in order to rush a yellow. I think this is a law I can support, and this lax culture that creates a higher incidence of "accidents" is not something I can support, partially because I personally do not want to be someone else's "accident". Really, I am responding because your words suggest you are joining and assisting in this insanity, and I just wanted to let you know that not everyone approves of it. Things can change. You just have to want to change them.
drac 16y ago
Having out of state plates seems to help. My rental car has NY plates, that seems to reduce expectations that I'll run a yellow anywhere in Boston. Which basically means, I only experience honked annoyance about 2-3 times a week on average. The blatant disregard for posted speed limits in my corner of MA? Even with police cars parked on the side of the road? Yeah, that I just don't get.