This is a lesson I learned from my dad long ago and thought I'd pass it along. As it is, big rig driver's peripheral vision is restricted due to the length of the trailers – especially at night. So if you come across a tractor trailer on the highway and notice a turn signal indicating his/her request for a lane change here is what you should do. If there is room ... and you want to let the truck driver know it's OK for them to slide over into your lane ahead of you ... give a quick flash “on and off” of your head lights. This is a friendly heads up to the driver that you're willing to let them slide over into your lane. Believe me, the big rig driver will appreciate the gesture. You will in return receive a flash of the truck's running lights to indicate to you a hardy “thanks” for understanding the peril and difficulties faced by these long haul drivers.

I find this to be a simple way of keeping the roadways a bit safer and perhaps more importantly – a slightly friendlier place to be. Thanks Dad.

Too many cars and not enough road. I drive a truck in this mess have been truck driver  in the Boston area for 25 years. try doing it for 40-50 hours a week, in an 80,000lb truck. I have had people pull in front of my truck and slam on their brakes.
Trust me when I tell you this but loaded trucks cannot stop on a dime, if you leave safe distance between you and vehicle in front of you cars keep taking the space.
truck drivers get no respect on the roads around here. I tell everone I know to stay away from trucks, when you are near a truck, ask yourself a couple of questions before getting near his vehicle.
1. Is he on drugs
2. Is his vehicle well maintained (dont go by looks)
3. Is he a good driver (I know a lot of bad truck drivers that I call friends)
4. how much does his truck weigh (18 wheel dump trucks can weigh over 100,000lbs)
5. did he get enough sleep last night
6. Do I trust him with my life (was going to say wife)

If you said no to any of the above keep a safe distance

...or are at LEAST half of the drivers out there ABSOLUTE MANIACS?!?! Now, I know some people might think it is funny and jokingly admit they are one of the maniacs but this is a serious matter.

EVERY DAY when I drive around, I encounter people who tailgate, bomb through yeild signs and coast through stop signs, bomb onto the highway without looking to see if any cars might be there.

I see people who drive down my (residential) road at least 10-20 mph faster than the speed limit, totally oblivious to all the little kids playing there.

 I see people who are headed to red lights but still refuse to let the car trying to turn out of a parking lot enter traffic.

I see people yapping on cell phones while they cut off the cars driving around them.

I see drivers cut across 3 lanes to make an exit without even slowing down.

I could go on and on and I have posted about this before but it never ceases to amaze and bother the crap out of me.

I know some of you will come back with some "witty" (sarcasm) remarks about "this is Massachusetts, get used to it". I am born and raised here. Been driving for 27 years on MA roads and I will NEVER get "used to it".

 I call the Woburn police and offer use of my driveway for a speed trap. Never happens. Hell, they could make some serious cash on my street alone!

WHY aren't cops doing more?!? If any of you are privvy to police matters, please, enlighten us. I know the police can't be everywhere at once but I see BLATANT disregard for traffic laws ALL THE TIME. NO ONE is doing anything about it.

Am I the only one bothered this much by STUPID drivers?!?

If you travel from the Braintree split onto 128N (93S) watch out for bridge work at Route 37 in Braintree. There are three huge bumps that if you're going too fast can send you flying!! Warning signs do indicate a bump, but they don't do the hazard justice. Just a friendly heads up to reduce the speed as you approach or you may find yourself in big trouble.

Just wanted to give folks the heads up. In the town of Marlborough, the kids at the Kane Elementary walk to school every Wednesday. And October 8th, the rest of the country is joining in with “National Walk to School Day.” So if you're out driving around during the hours between 7AM and 9AM, just look out for the little ones.

Yesterday, while taking a right from Dartmouth onto Boylston, some smug young woman with the attitude of “this is my world and you're just living in it” decided that a 'red hand' sign for cross walkers was meant for someone else. She proceeded to stroll across the intersection as if she was all alone on a beach. Then when someone gave her a toot of the horn to let her know she was holding up traffic flow she gave the driver the “how dare you” stare. As if to say “I'm a walker and I don't care, you will wait for me as I take my leisurely stroll.” Well guess what? You can take your your strolling attitude and ...

Have a nice day.

I just returned from California and have a whole new appreciation for 'REAL' traffic! 

There are many a days I'm driving around Boston up and down 128, sit in some traffic, tie-ups, etc. mostly the predictable times 7-9 am /5-7 pm (give or take a half hour or so).  Then of course if we hear Dougie say there's an accident, we know what to expect a delay.

Well, LA is in CONSTANT DELAY!  It didn't matter the time of day I went, the traffic was the most horrific I've ever seen.  Each time I 'assumed' there HAD to have been an accident, but NOPE just everyday, traffic!!!!!  I was chatting w/an LA Fireman in line at Starbucks and asked him, "is the traffic here ALWAYS this bad? " He said, "we trade traffic for FINE weather, when there's 9 million people in one county, you are BOUND to sit in traffic, just the way it is!"  I'm thinking, NO THANKS!

I had a place I HAD to be sharply at 11:30. Mapquest told me it takes 42 minutes. It took me nearly 2 HRS!!!!  Thank GOD I planned accordingly and made my call time!  I don't think I'll EVERY complain about Boston traffic EVER again! (well at least not till next time it makes me late for something, lol).

~smiley

Those cold crisp fall days ahead are great for that weekend ride but here is a friendly heads up. Lots of the highways (including X-way north and south, Mass Pike and 495) are experiencing repaving work. If you don't plan your route right, it could be cause for concern.

Have a great and safe trip.

For those of you who use the X-way I know it's been of a bumpy ride. Road repairs and paving work have been going on for what seems like an eternity. However I think the wait will be worth it. A completely resurfaced 93 North and South will be a treat – especially come winter and the following spring.

I hope this will help with an annual right of spring – when pot holes blossom. So for now hold tight, a smooth ride is looming.

There is a brief stretch where work is yet to be completed. Every time I travel over it, my SUV shakes, shimmies, rattles and rocks. Knowing that, I slow down as I approach, so as not to loose control. Well, wouldn't you know it, on my way home yesterday afternoon – in the same stretch of roadway – five cars were in a tangled mess. Cars and trucks facing any which way, air bags blown, people standing about crying and confused over the chaotic scene.

Now I'm no crash scene investigator, but as I passed, I could only imaging the chain of events that led up to this multi-vehicle wreck, two of which are “speed” and “traveling too close.”

I am constantly amazed at the idiots that ride bumpers of the cars in front of them with nowhere to go. They then proceed to pass on the right only to be slowed down by the cars in that lane. Then they follow one stupid idea with another, slipping back into the left lane in a space that is supposed to be used as breaking space for the cars already rolling along.

That's cause and effect, people. One idiot's action can create chaos and, in some cases, injuries.

Slow down and give your fellow drives some space. If you don't, you could find yourself in your own hospital space with plenty of time to slow down.

why dont people go through the red light?  its an emergency,  dont sit there and obey law now.  you get out of the way even if its disobeying the law.

the light staled and trun green after. this lady wouldn't move we had two other sides of the road with cars.

I was in the left behind the lady who wouldn't go through a red light. i couldn't slide to the right there was no way and there was a cement block so i couldn't go left.

DOUGIE...FLY OVER MASHPEE ANYTIME...WE WON'T COMPLAIN...

Just a little heads up. Even though we've yet to reach the unofficial last days of summer (Labor Day weekend) some kids are already hitting the books.

So with that in mind, keep a sharp eye out at your local neighborhood bus stops. There may be a blurry-eyed student or two trying to get back into the swing of things. More and more of those big yellow transports will be rolling in the days and weeks to come. Let's make sure they all get to school safe and sound.