HN photos and musings: beyond that which is “reasonable and proper…”

Beyond that which is “reasonable and proper,” Cape Cod’s veneer of postcard perfection cracks wide open every single day and night. These following HN photos capture just a sliver – maybe only 5% – of the daily chaos here: mangled metal on our unhinged roadways, crime born of desperation and dope, and the quiet overdoses that have become as routine as the tide. From the have-nots numbing hopelessness to the haves toasting away guilt, substance-fueled recklessness is the real local tradition. (But I digress…) And yet, truth be told, some of these crashes are simply nothing more than accidental anomalies… freak happenings… bad fortune… But nonetheless, let’s have a thorough refresher on the rules of the road. Shall we? For many of these crashes, in my humble opinion, could be avoided entirely by simply driving defensively, with one’s eyes on the road, while traveling at posted speeds… and in case anyone is wondering, the following are the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ current laws regarding “reasonable and proper” speeds – according to Mass. General Laws Chapter 90, Section 17: “No person operating a motor vehicle on any way shall run it at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper, having regard to traffic and the use of the way and the safety of the public. Unless a way is otherwise posted in accordance with the provisions of section eighteen, it shall be prima facie evidence of a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper as aforesaid (1) if a motor vehicle is operated on a divided highway outside a thickly settled or business district at a rate of speed exceeding fifty miles per hour for a distance of a quarter of a mile, or (2) on any other way outside a thickly settled or business district at a rate of speed exceeding forty miles per hour for a distance of a quarter of a mile, or (3) inside a thickly settled or business district at a rate of speed exceeding thirty miles per hour for a distance of one-eighth of a mile, or (4) within a school zone which may be established by a city or town as provided in section two of chapter eighty-five at a rate of speed exceeding twenty miles per hour. Operation of a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of fifteen miles per hour within one-tenth of a mile of a vehicle used in hawking or peddling merchandise and which displays flashing amber lights shall likewise be prima facie evidence of a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper. If a speed limit has been duly established upon any way, in accordance with the provisions of said section, operation of a motor vehicle at a rate of speed in excess of such limit shall be prima facie evidence that such speed is greater than is reasonable and proper; but, notwithstanding such establishment of a speed limit, every person operating a motor vehicle shall decrease the speed of the same when a special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic, or by reason of weather or highway conditions. Any person in violation of this section, while operating a motor vehicle through the parameters of a marked construction zone or construction area, at a speed which exceeds the posted limit, or at a speed that is greater than is reasonable and proper, shall be subject to a fine of 2 times the amount currently in effect for the violation issued. Except on a limited access highway, no person shall operate a school bus at a rate of speed exceeding forty miles per hour, while actually engaged in carrying school children.” In short, in Massachusetts, driving at a speed greater than is “reasonable and proper” is illegal, with statutory maximums for specific areas: 50 mph on divided highways outside of business or thickly settled districts, 40 mph on other ways outside these districts, and 30 mph within business or thickly settled districts. Localities can also adopt a 25 mph limit in thickly settled or business districts if they opt in, and 20 mph in school zones. MASSACHUSETTS’ HANDS-FREE LAW Massachusetts has a hands-free law, which prohibits holding or touching any electronic device while driving, including texting, emailing, or using GPS. The law allows drivers to use a mounted device for a single touch or swipe to activate hands-free mode, such as for GPS, but all other uses must be hands-free. Penalties for violations include fines ($100 for a first offense, $250 for a second, and $500 for a third or subsequent offense) and a mandatory distracted driving course for second and third offenses. For drivers 18 and over Hands-free is mandatory: You can only use a device in hands-free mode. Mounting is required: The device must be mounted to the windshield, dashboard, or center console to be used, even for GPS. Limited touch is allowed: You can touch the device once to activate the hands-free feature. No handheld use: You cannot hold the device or use it for texting, emailing, or internet browsing. Emergency exception: You can hold your phone to call 911, but you should try to pull over first. For drivers under 18 No electronic device use: Drivers under 18 are prohibited from using any electronic device while driving, including in hands-free mode. Penalties for violating the law First offense: $100 fine. Second offense: $250 fine and a mandatory distracted driving course. Third or subsequent offense: $500 fine, a mandatory distracted driving course, and an insurance surcharge. (NOT that any of the above has anything whatsoever to do with any of the following photos…)                 Above HN photos: Barnstable Police and Barnstable FD firefighters responded to reports of a car into a tree on Old Jail Lane last evening at around 7:00 p.m. The driver suffered facial injuries and was evaluated by an ambulance crew. He was not transported to hospital. Firefighters used chain saws to remove a tree that had fallen across the roadway. The Barnstable Police Department is investigating the cause of the crash.     Above HN photos: Barnstable Police investigated reports of a possible hit-and-run car vs. pedestrian on Main Street in Hyannis this weekend. Fortunately, the pedestrian was evaluated and released by Hyannis FD Rescue, without need for further medical care. The BPD is investigating…     Above HN photos: Yarmouth Police are investigating a single-vehicle crash where a sedan reportedly hit a curb last evening.  The driver did NOT appear to be physically impaired in this case.  The Yarmouth Police Department is investigating.   OTHER RECENT HN PHOTOS FROM EARLIER LAST WEEK:                         P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette is brought to you by The Eagles… [CLICK IT/CRANK IT! HEADPHONES ABSOLUTELY OBLIGATORY!]