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Cambridge cop risks life - pulls MBTA bus over to write driver a ticket
By adamg on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 2:42pm
ElCantabridgian captured the scene in Central Square this afternoon when a motorcycle cop pulled over a T bus for running a red light. Unlike last week in Kenmore Square, there was no mayhem this time.
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Comments
This is strange
MBTA buses used to never get pulled over. Wonder if this is a (much-needed) crackdown on bad bus driving (erm, operating)?
Buses, cars bikes, peds
I'm glad to see enforcement of the rules of the road.
Now, if they start ticketing people who block intersections, then we'd be talking.
My ex got ticketed for
My ex got ticketed for blocking an intersection once. When the lights came on, he said to me, "WHY am I being pulled over?!" and I said, "Uh…because you're blocking the intersection?" He got so angry with me and insisted that he wasn't doing anything wrong and that it must be something else. Changed his tune after getting ticketed. I must say, I was delighted…he drove like an ass.
I'd be more sympathetic to
I'd be more sympathetic to this cop's actions if it were possible for the #1 bus to get through more than one green light in a row in Central.
Unbelievable
People, don't forget what a red light means! It means "Stop, unless you were already thinking about going through the intersection, in which case continue, or if you really REALLY don't want to wait a whole 'nother cycle to keep going". It's not hard to remember.
Schedules Come First
Police could ticket MBTA buses all day long, but that would interfere with the bus schedules so they are given significant leeway. Hopefully this is a sign that police will be holding the bus drivers to the same rules as other drivers. Maybe it will also get some of the more aggressive MBTA drivers off the road. They driver very large vehicles all too often without any regard for the safety of pedestrians, cyclists or other motorists.
My top 3 most observed violations for MBTA busese:
1). Failure to yield for pedestrian in a crosswalk
2). Failure to stop at a stop sign
3). Failure to stop at a red light
You will note that each one of these "Failures" has the potential of putting a bus in direct conflict with a pedestrian with potentially deadly outcomes for the pedestrian.
Time to admit bus schedules are fiction
Unrealistic bus schedules demand most drivers break more traffic laws than Domino Pizza delivery drivers. The MBTA and cities need to admit livable community road design produces intolerable schedules and travel times. Spending lots more money to put more buses and drivers on slow routes doesn't help as bunching only gets worse, further clogging streets. The bus parking ticket is also a product of stupid policy, leaving no extra spaces for vehicles to stand.
Next thing, Loch Ness Monster photos!
Who could have imagined a MBTA driver ever getting cited for a traffic infraction! Did the Mars rover spot any little green men yet? Bigfoot sightings?
Loch Ness Monster Photo
You asked for it...
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/08/scottish-sailor-claims-to-have-best-picture-yet-of-loch-ness-monster/