Do Not Block Intersection! State Law, $150 Fine

As one of the key alternate routes, traffic coming across the Harvard Bridge (Mass Ave Bridge) onto Massachusetts Avenue in both directions was under careful scrutiny at the start of the Longfellow Bridge Project.

DSC_6992 - Version 22013-08-03-do-not-block-intersection-grid-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

We don't know if the new grid patterns painted on intersections and the addtion of signs to the lights was a direct result of having a police officer on every block. But, these things did happen at the same time. 

DSC_6983 - Version 22013-08-03-do-not-block-intersection-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

Obviously, it will take more than signs. It will take enforcement and a few fines to make any progress towards the goal of avoiding gridlock by convincing Boston drivers to obey the law.

CHE_8862 - Version 22013-08-09-cars-gridlick-blocking-intersection-boston-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

That law says, "The driver of a motor vehicle shall not cross or enter an intersection, which it is unable to proceed through, without stopping and thereby blocking vehicles from travelling in a free direction. A green light is no defense to blocking the intersection. The driver must wait another cycle of the signal light, if necessary." Here's a link that that section of the Massachusetts laws.

CHE_8812 - Version 22013-08-09-cars-gridlick-blocking-intersection-boston-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

CHE_8824 - Version 22013-08-09-cars-gridlick-blocking-intersection-boston-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

It is also illegal to stop in any crosswalk: 

"…nor shall any such operator enter a marked crosswalk while a pedestrian is crossing or until there is a sufficient space beyond the crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle he is operating, notwithstanding that a traffic control signal may indicate that vehicles may proceed." Here's a link to that section of the Massachusetts laws. 

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a birthday or wedding gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino  

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Comments

  1. Spenbald Avatar

    While Northern Californian drivers have a very similar impatient temperament to Boston drivers, they DO happen to abide by not blocking intersections for the most part. If people only REALLY understood that traffic would be better all around if intersections weren’t blocked.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *