TMI Tuesday and a New Law
Posted by hubman38 on March 31, 2009
In my neck of the woods you can’t miss radio ads for a new law, the so-called “Slow down, move over” law. I was initially dumbfounded that such a law is even necessary, so imagine my surprise when I learned that 42 other states already have such a law!! Here is ours:
New legislation in Massachusetts aims to make police, firefighters, paramedics, tow truck drivers, and all roadside emergency and maintenance professionals safer on the job. The Move Over Law, which takes effect March 22, 2009, requires drivers approaching a stationary emergency or maintenance vehicle with flashing lights to move to the next adjacent lane if it is safe to do so, and, barring that, to reduce their speed. Failure to comply could result in a fine of up to $100.
Every year, first responders across the country are injured or killed on the job while providing emergency help and, in the past six months, several Massachusetts state troopers and other first responders have been injured. All citizens are asked to move over to make Massachusetts roadways safer for everyone.
The official text of the bill can be found here.
On the one hand, why do we even need such a law? Isn’t it common sense to give a little room to emergency vehicles and the like on the side of the road? I know, I know, if only common sense was actually common…
But take a look at the details. It specifies that drivers “must reduce the speed of the vehicle to that of a reasonable and safe speed for road conditions.” So it leaves the definition of safe and reasonable open to interpretation. In Taxachusetts Massachusetts that is just asking for abuse!
And expecting drivers to determine what is safe and reasonable? They’re not called “Massholes” for a reason…
I’m interested in your thoughts on this law.
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On to the TMI! Let ‘em know if you play too…
1. Have you ever sent or received a sext message?
Most definitely! Veronica and I often exchange sext messages and I’ve been known to send and receive suggestive pictures to and from certain special friends!
2. Have you ever made or received a booty call?
I know Veronica said yes, but I’m not sure if counts when your married and it’s your spouse. I also don’t think any of our swinging partners count. I’ve never contacted someone late at night for the sole purpose of sex, so I’ll have to say no.
3. Have you ever added or edited a word/entry to Wikipedia or Urban Dictionary or any other online reference?
‘Fraid not..
4. At what age did you have your first consensual sexual experience?
We’ve been over this one before! Oral at 16, intercourse at 20.
5. What has been the greatest age difference between you a consensual sexual partner?
Two and a half years older than me (that would be you, Southern Vixen!!) and, gulp, 13 years younger. Maybe I’ll revisit the tale of Ned and Ann someday. Or not.
Bonus (as in optional): Why do you blog?
Lots of reasons- it’s fun, it’s an outlet for my recently discovered exhibitionist side, I enjoy the creative writing challenge posed by telling stories, it’s part of how I intereact with friends I’ve made, because Veronica and I have learned a lot in the lifestyle and like to share our experiences.
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Don’t forgot to visit Tits for Troops today! Veronica and I are both there.
And this week is the 3rd Anniversary of The Other HNT. You have sent Osbasso your picture, right? Right?
Anothersuburbanmom said
Great answers baby! If you want to do a booty call, I can arrange a whole scenario for you!
Dana said
I’m guessing you feel very much like I do about Wikipedia and Urban Dictionary!
And … as a matter of fact, I did send in my photo for the OHNT anniversary *wink*
Amorous Rocker said
Kind of sad there needs to be a law for that. It pisses me off when I pull over and others don’t even slow down or get out of the way at all. Even worse when people death glare me, flip me off or curse out their windows at me as they go by because I dared to pull over and stop on the side of the road so an emergency vehicle can go by. It really irks me. You just inspired me for a post, if I can remember to do it, lol. Thanks.
Great TMI answers. Happy Tuesday.
Hair Bows & Guitar Picks said
What a stupid law. Who are the people who come up with this shit? and how much do they get paid?
Great answers….
Vixen said
That law was passed here last year and then all these signs went up everywhere. And my thought is- Really? We need a LAW and SIGNS telling everyone this???? Common sense is lost this day and age apparently.
I’m pretty sure it’s still considered a booty call if it’s your wife.
Emmy said
Like you said, if only common sense was common. But think about most laws in general, they are catering to those without it. Those with it don’t really need it. I mean, in Portland, they actually had to create a law that said as a driver, you must stop for people in the cross walk. And that was only put in place a couple years ago. Talk about common sense.
You partake in sext messaging? That’s shocking!
Britni (VadgeWig) said
When I lived in Boston, I didn’t have a car. I lived there for 5 years. When I moved back to Florida, I started driving again. I had been gone for 5 years and knew nothing about this “slow down, move over” law that had gone into effect. A) I hadn’t lived here when it was passed and B) I hadn’t been driving at all! My first week back in Florida, I got pulled over on the highway and had no idea why. It turns out I had violated this new law. When he asked why I didn’t slow down or move over, I explained that I didn’t know about the law because I had just moved back here, yada yada yada. He gave me a ticket anyway. Douche.
Ric said
As always Hubman….Great post!
Ric said
And that law is awsome….It because of dumb…. that hit my fire engine while I was working an accident scene that the exists…..Its nice to know that there is a law protecting the people that will come at your time of need…..
Vic said
We have that law in Georgia too. Ridiculous, I say. Of course it seems common sense is a thing of the past on our roads. After all, “slower traffic keep right” is apparently a mystery to most people.
I love your answers. And I like blogs so I can read about adventures like you and Veronica. Thanks for that!
angel said
Yes, we just did that same law here, and like you, I was dumbfounded! I also thought it common sense..
hubman38 said
ASM: I’m sure you could!
Dana: I’ll be on the lookout on Thurs
AR: The ones who try to pass you when you pull over for an emergency vehicle are the WORST!
Hair Bows: To me it’s not the law that’s stupid, it’s that we need it in the first place.
Vixen: If you insist
Emmy: You’re shocked? Ha, you hardly know me then!
Britni: Yup, sounds like a douche to me. That sucks. You ever come back this way?
Ric: Yes, it’s nice to know it’s there, still sucks that it’s even needed in the first place
Vic: Veronica and I are happy to share!
Angel: Like I said, I guess common sense isn’t so common.
Kimberly said
Whenever we see something about a ridiculous law my mother always comments, “I wonder what idiot is responsible for that one.” It is the small percentage that don’t have the decency/brains that make it neccessary.
In terms of the definition of safe and reasonable I would guess that this term is well defined in the case law or in other statutes so that it is not up to individual judgment – or at least it is up to the judgment of a judge…
Ric said
Hubman…Yeah its unfortunate that laws like this have to be created. People all over are killed because people don’t drive with due regard. I was fighting a car fire on the expressway…a car went by my so fast…I could feel the breeze of it with my gear on, we also had a car hit our ladder truck, we have also been working on the scene when another wreck happened around us. Not to mention the people that try to outrun an approaching emergency vehicle. Unless you are directly affected, people don’t realize why this law exists. Try telling the young kids that are left without fathers, mothers, why someone ran into their parent while they were trying to help someone. Pretty sad…so far this year 24 firefighters have given their life in the USA. I keep a running number on my blog.
I go to firefighter funerals and watch wifes cry, children crying…..its sad, that our society only reacts when laws are put in place.
Riff Dog said
I think the purpose of the law is just to give cops an actual law they can ticket someone for if they’re truly driving like an asshole.
“Unnecessarily scaring the shit out of a paramedic” is not technically against the law. But now they have something they can ticket the asshole for.
At least that’s how I see it.
Britni (VadgeWig) said
No, I don’t but would LOVE to move back.