What I've Learned about MA in the last 30 Days (snow, drive)

[puffle]

Wow sorry to hear about the dangerous conditions in SF, one of my most favorite places to visit but never drive in! I admit my statement was a bit on the general side and L.A. drivers are crazy in their own way but never in my 36 years of driving anywhere have I experienced the BF driving which is by far one of the scariest experiences driving I have ever had. Still love Ma. despite it.

[Jimrob1]

Originally Posted by puffle

Despite the driving insanity, my insurance is lower here than it was when I lived in California. The only bad thing is Calif. gives you the ability to erase your ticket by going to traffic school for 8 hours and then your ticket is not reported to the insurance companies and stays off your record as long as you don't get another one in 18 months. Here in Ma. they take off points for every ticket that stays on your record like a bankruptcy...7-10 years with no parole of traffic school. Either the police here only care about speeding or the drivers are, well, I'd rather not say

That is something I do not miss about Mass at all, and that is anything related to owning and driving a vehicle there. Between the horrible drivers, and lack of car insurance choices. It is the miserable way drivers are rated and penalized on their driving records in that state. I have never heard of a state being so hard on its drivers as Mass. However just about everything else back there I miss. To the original OP Welcome To Mass, yep you already noticed the driving habits..

[puffle]

Hey there Jim...outside car insurance companies can now do business here so it is an open market. Wish they would tweek the ticket situation. You would think with such stiff penalties people would drive more cautiously?

[maxpower212]

So when banging a left, is only one car commonly allowed to do so, or is it a free-for-all?

[puffle]

I wouldn't say allowed Not having clearly defined rules is problematic for someone that is use to following them in another state. It really is playing chicken...I just don't want my head cut off!

[KshawPGA]

I like this site - my first post. Massachusetts - oh the fond memories. My husband and I are from MA but moved to Florida 12 years ago. He's been offered a job we couldn't refuse in Boston area, but I'm staying here and we're going to try the 'commute' thing to visit eachother. Time will tell. He's been doing nothing but complaining about the drivers! I don't think I'll mind that so much as the coooooold. To keep his sanity, we're going to look for housing within 2 miles of his work. If anyone hears of a beautiful room for rent in a fabulous mansion in Newton for about $500 / month (ya right), be sure to let me know. I can keep dreaming...

[puffle]

How about a closet?

[Valerie C]

max, generally it's a one-car deal.

I can imagine that when you relocate to this area, having somebody bang a left in front of you might be *really* surprising. The necessity of such a move can be directly attributed to two things: short-sighted street planners (why is there so seldom a left-turn arrow??) AND the fact that although the oncoming traffic can clearly see that you have your left directional on, and you have been waiting at least as long as they have, but precious few of them would consider hesitating for a moment or two to wave one or two cars by. If you don't GO when the light turns green, and you've been sitting through 2 or 3 cycles of lights, yes you will BANG A LEFT at the next light.

I also have to note that after visiting and living in different areas of the country, I tend to see and hear about far less traffic accidents than many other places. I like to think that we New England drivers are simply more skilled, but you may have another opinion

Originally Posted by maxpower212

So when banging a left, is only one car commonly allowed to do so, or is it a free-for-all?

[renault]

My only complaint about Mass. is that the winters lately have been too mild. I miss the winters of my youth like the ice storms and waking up to 20 inches of snow. The Blizzard of '78 lives on in infamy. Global warming sucks.

[mommytotwo]

Originally Posted by renault

My only complaint about Mass. is that the winters lately have been too mild. I miss the winters of my youth like the ice storms and waking up to 20 inches of snow. The Blizzard of '78 lives on in infamy. Global warming sucks.

I was feeling a little screwed the year before last. It was like it was over before it even got started.