Yeesh!

[llcoolvad]

A new report of the most dangerous roads/intersections in Massachusetts, and hey, I drive numbers 1 and 41 and every single day, and numbers 6, 10, 11, 16, 22 (Medford), 24, and 36 many times per week. That's 9 out of the top 40!

Apparently Massachusettes has the lowest rate of car crash fatalities (p. 164) in the country -- probably because we're so damned busy sitting in traffic and filling out insurance forms for all of our damned fender benders we don't have TIME to die. I feel bad for Wyoming (32.38 fatalities per 100,000 people!).

So we crash a lot, but don't die. And yet Massachusetts has a rep for having terrible drivers. It's a red state conspiracy!

Comments

[livingdeb.livejournal.com]

My impression of Boston drivers (based on a couple of hours riding with my Dad when I was in high school) is that they refuse to make eye contact. Ideally they are looking at least 90 degrees away from all other drivers at all times. Therefore I have to conclude they might not be seeing me. Therefore I have to always give them the right of way, in self defense, which must be the whole plan all along!

Just an impression, though. (When I went to school in Boston I only took trains and subways.)

[p-j-cleary.livejournal.com]

Boston people don't make eye contact for any reason, in the car or outside of it. You might get roped into being nice, and we don't like that.

[livingdeb.livejournal.com]

I've heard that about the being nice thing, but I haven't experienced it. I remember asking for something from a clerk, and her response in a Boston accent remains with me today: "Shoo-ah!"

[llcoolvad.livejournal.com]

The key is that you pay attention only to what's directly in front of you. If everyone does that, everyone wins! It's out-of-staters that screw up the whole thing. :-)