Sometimes it seems like a bad dream. You’re driving along a highway, like Route 290, and suddenly here comes a lane-changer who does not ever use a blinker (or as those of us in Massachusetts say: blinkah). They cut you off and charge over two other lanes of traffic to get to the Mass. Pike exit.  And how about those trailer trucks as they belch their thick black diesel exhaust smoke when they’re driving in front of you. Their exhaust pipes leave greasy black diesel drops flying onto your windshield (and your car for that matter). Of course, when you try to use windshield-washer fluid along with your windshield wipers to get that thick black goo off your windshield it now becomes one big greasy obstruction. It’s so wonderful I could just smile all day about it. Not! 

Okay, let’s name some more crazy drivers. You know the ones. Those drivers who many people jokingly say have gotten their driver’s licenses at the bargain store. Never mind that they have no concept of blinkah usage, how to use their sideview mirrors, or even to pay attention to their yellow flashing sensors on those sideview mirrors telling them that there actually IS a vehicle, as in yours, on their flank. 

Most trailer-truck drivers are pretty decent folk. They don’t drive too fast, they don’t have black goo hawking onto your windshield when you drive behind them, and they always use their blinkahs. Sometimes they even quick-flash their tail lights at you as a “Thank You” for letting them into the lane in front of you. They’ll even put their flashers on if they see a traffic slow down ahead since they’re sitting high enough to see any traffic congestion before you and your lowly car ever will. That’s a great slow-down behavior for all of us behind those big rigs, thank you.

There are always nightmares, however.  Like the young drivers who wait at a stop sign to make a left turn when the sign in front of them clearly states "No Left Turn."  You toot your horn to let them know that they should be paying attention to that sign but they just look at each other and laugh as they sip their energy drinks. 

But the absolute worst of all has to be the cellphone user who is totally oblivious to Everything around them and I do mean Everything. They will drive with their cellphone held right above their steering wheel, merrily tapping text messages while their arms “hold” the steering wheel or, if they are aware of possible police presence, they will hold their phone to the right of the steering wheel just below the steering wheel height and … they are driving along in heavy traffic. I’ve seen many collisions of all types using their lovely techniques. The age group does vary but the majority of these drivers are in their 20’s and 30’s. Even though Massachusetts has a Hands-Free cellphone law, evidently some cellphone users think this law does not pertain to them. Of course not! That law is for other people, not them, right? 

According to Massachusetts’ law, drivers 18 and older can only touch their phones to activate the hands-free mode and must have the device properly mounted. Handheld use is prohibited, including for texting, emailing, using apps, watching videos, or using the internet. Drivers under 18 are completely banned from using any electronic devices while driving, including hands-free. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown for drivers 18 and over:

• Hands-free only: You can only use your phone in hands-free mode. 

• Mounting: Devices must be properly mounted on the windshield, dashboard, or center console. 

• Activation: You can only touch your phone to activate the hands-free mode. 

• Prohibited uses: Texting, emailing, using apps, watching videos, or accessing the internet are not allowed, even with hands-free mode. 

Vehicle passengers, however, can have a blast using their cells for whatever reason they choose, no worries for you.  So, if you want to use your cellphone when driving, go ahead, just make sure you’re buckled up and in one of the passenger seats!

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