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Were you naughty or nice this year? Apparently Governor Patrick thinks you were naughty, because this is what he gave us this year:
Memorial Day brought the news that Registry will no longer remind you to renew your license. So now most people will find out their license expired during their traffic violation stop. Then for the 4th of July, we got the opportunity to purchase - with non-refundable fees - our right to fight a traffic ticket in court.
For Halloween, the Guv gave a green light to red light cameras that increase the incidents of getting rear-ended at an intersection. A fellow MA member had the opportunity to meet separately with both Lt. Gov. Tim Murray and State Rep. Tom Conroy to express concern about the governor clearing the way for red-light cameras, and to pass along some key information from the NMA about the proven negative aspects of photo enforcement. Both officials were polite and expressed interest, but it wouldn't hurt to contact their offices, if you haven't already, to lend your voice/words to the fight against red light cameras in the state.
Continuing his trend of trying to balance the budget by using the motoring public's back, Patrick also signed a bill authorizing the City of Melrose to establish their own traffic safety zones and set up their own speed traps. The problem is this act is in direct violation of federal guidelines, placing the whole federal highway funding for Massachusetts in jeopardy.
Together with the fact that the records of all traffic infractions stay in a driver's history forever even if the motorist is found not responsible, Massachusetts rapidly rose to the top of the list of the most driver-unfriendly states.
But just to put the alleged "carnage on our roads" that is used to justify this witch hunt on motoring public into perspective, here are some statistics for the United States:
| Yearly deaths: | Cause: | |
| about 450,000 | smoking | |
| about 300,000 | complications caused by obesity | |
| about 100,000 | hospital acquired infections | |
| about 92,000 | half-teaspoon of salt a day | |
| about 49,000 | colon cancer | |
| about 36,000 | seasonal flu-related complications | |
| about 33,250 | estimated traffic fatalities for 2009 |
In other words, a stupid flu can kill more people than car accidents, yet I don't see any road blocks to ensure you've washed your hands, nor do I see mobilization periods to enforce proper sneezing techniques - not yet, that is.
If you're not depressed yet, here is a schedule of the real mobilizations for the next nine months:
During these periods each cop who writes at least three tickets an hour will get overtime. Additionally, each department can get between $3,000 to $12,000 towards such things as speed measuring devices, in-cruiser cameras, tire deflation devices, automatic license plate readers, drivers license scanners and vehicle black box decoders - all paid for by your tax dollars!
So, on behalf of our government: Happy New Year, Motorists!
Ivan
MA State Chapter Coordinator
12/09
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