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Traffic accidents can have a huge impact on heavily traveled highways like Interstate 93. In fact, when a driver lost control of his vehicle on September 30, the aftermath of that car crash shut down northbound lanes on I-93 during rush hour, forcing drivers onto local roads and significantly increasing their evening commute.

The traffic situation could get even worse, as drivers prepare for slowdowns and bottlenecks thanks to construction along I-93. That’s why transportation officials put together Smart Work Zones, which allows motorists to check traffic information online or on highway-side message boards. After viewing data on traffic flow, highway drivers can choose to use alternate routes and avoid traffic congestion.

At the very least, these signs should help drivers stay informed. When there are no traffic slowdowns, the message boards flash the anticipated travel time to the next exit. According to the Department of Transportation, the Smart Zone website attracts about 3,000 hits per day.

Technology helps commuters avoid traffic, New Hampshire Union Leader, October 13, 2008
Web Resource
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) & Technology, US Department of Transportation Continue reading

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In Becket, Massachusetts, a Saturday morning car accident claimed the life of a Becket man. It also injured the driver, who was from East Longmeadow. The car crash occurred on Route 20 just before 3:30 am when a 1997 Ford Contour went off the road near the Becket/Chester town line, hit some boulders and a tree, and became airborne, finally landing on its roof.

Thomas A. Sacchetti Jr was trapped in the Ford Contour after the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene of the car accident. The driver, Catherine A. Rivet, was transported to Berkshire Medical Center, where she was admitted to the surgical floor.

Investigators from the Massachusetts State Police are assisting Becket Police Sergeant Marc Portieri in an investigation of the car crash. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, police said Rivet may face charges.

Becket police probe fatal Route 20 crash, MassLive.com, October 17, 2008 Continue reading

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Out of concern for police officers and tow truck drivers who have been injured or killed on the side of the highway, Massachusetts legislators have called for new legislation called the “Move Over Law.” Sponsored by State Representative Christine E. Canavan, of Brockton, the law would require highway drivers to move out of the right lane if emergency vehicle lights are flashing.

For instance, Massachusetts state trooper was hit by a 2008 Nissan Maxima while the trooper was stopped in a breakdown lane near Newton, Massachusetts, investigating a car crash. The impact of the collision sent the trooper through the windshield of the Nissan.

Fortunately, the trooper survived the car accident, but the incident does reinforce the need for legislation. A fatal breakdown lane accident occurred in 2004, when two tow truck drivers were hit and killed along Interstate 495 in Brockton.

According to Move Over America, a coalition of national law enforcement agencies who are favor of the new law, forty-three states have already passed similar legislation.

‘Move Over Law’ sought after trooper struck, Boston Globe, October 19, 2008 Continue reading

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In Lawrence, Massachusetts, the city’s auto insurance task force is investigating a two-car crash that occurred in January, 2003. Nine people were charged with auto insurance fraud last week in connection with the car crash, and four of those have filed seven or more auto insurance claims, raising potential questions about the claimants’ credibility.

One of those people, Jose Cruz, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, has reportedly filed over twenty auto insurance claims in a 5.5 year period. Eight of his insurance claims involved injuries. Another, Rita Lopez, also of Lawrence, Massachusetts filed 22 auto insurance claims in a little over a decade. She claimed to have sustained injuries in six of those car accident claims.

The car insurance industry has a nickname for those who file five or more claims in a decade: “frequent flier.” Two passengers have already come forward to tell police that the 2003 auto accident was a fraud. The city of Lawrence is in the midst of a five year crackdown on auto insurance fraud. This case brings the total number of people charged to 333.

Participants’ insurance claims history raises ‘red flags’ in latest auto fraud case, The Eagle Tribune, October 12, 2008 Continue reading

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Last Friday afternoon, a Massachusetts couple was injured in a motorcycle and SUV collision at the intersection of Route 13 and Purgatory Road. According to police, the driver of the SUV and her passengers were not injured. The pair on motorcycles, Tracy and Lisa Talbert, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, were taken to South New Hampshire Medical Center.

Although the condition of the two cyclists from Massachusetts was unknown over the weekend, witnesses say they were wearing helmets and were not speeding, which may have saved their lives.

Witness Scott Chausee said he was riding southbound on Route 13 behind the Talberts when the traffic collision occurred. Chausee was not wearing a helmet at the time and believes that if he had been riding in front of the Talberts and had been hit by the SUV, then he would have been killed. “Maybe this was my wake-up call,” he told the Nashua Telegraph.

Police said they do not suspect speed, drugs, and alcohol were involved in the SUV collision.

Motorcycle, SUV collide, two injured, Nashua Telegraph, October 11, 2008 Continue reading

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The Boston Herald reports that transportation officials Massachusetts and New Hampshire received a report recommending a “bus-on-shoulder” system as the best strategy for reducing traffic congestion on Interstate 93. Passengers would be picked up by express buses that would use a breakdown lane closed to other vehicles.

Those who supported a passenger train service between Boston and Manchester worry that this study could disrupt their plans and prevent economic growth in southern New Hampshire.

Rail travel is still a possibility, although cost was a major factor in considering the bus-on-shoulder option. The transit planning company that is investigating commuter options said that rebuilding the old rail lines would cost almost $200 million, whereas starting up the bus service would cost about $80 million. Noise and safety concerns were also factors in the company’s recommendation.

Transit study says commuter bus lane best I-93, Boston Herald, October 12, 2008 Continue reading

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In Dighton, Massachusetts, a Bristol County Agricultural High School student was hit by a car on Center Street around 9am last Friday morning. Dighton Police Sgt. Edward Dutra said the student, 15, was crossing Center Street on way to homeroom when the driver of a 2002 Plymouth Seabring hit her.

Fortunately, the student suffered no broken bones and remained conscious at the scene of the car accident. She was taken to Hasbro Children’s Hospital, but she is now resting at home. Dutra believes that the student’s backpack may have absorbed the impact of her fall and saved her from more serious injuries.

Because two bridges in the area are currently under construction, Center Street and the area surrounding the school has become more heavily trafficked. Dutra and the Massachusetts Reconstruction Unit are investigating the auto accident.

Aggie student hit by car, Taunton Daily Gazette, October 6, 2008 Continue reading

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Note: this post has been updated with information courtesy of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

The Boston Globe reports that Massachusetts launched a new vehicle inspection program this month, complete with a new logo, website, and toll-free hotline. The vehicle inspection program is expected to take less time and increase the number of car safety checks performed at local service stations. It will cost the same $29 per vehicle.

Owners of vehicles that fail the safety inspection will be required to get safety repairs done immediately and get their vehicles retested within 60 days. However, under the new program, owners with emission repairs that exceed specific cost thresholds are now able to apply for an economic hardship waiver. If granted, the waiver allows the owner to continue driving the vehicle for up to a year.

Vehicles built before 1996 will no longer be required to undergo emission testing, but vehicles with smoke coming out of tailpipes will be failed. Car models from 1996 and later will undergo yearly on-board diagnostic emissions testing.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Environmental Protection have hired Parsons Commercial Technology Group to manage the program and install equipment at 1,400 sites throughout Massachusetts.

New car inspection plan launches tomorrow statewide, Boston Globe, September 30, 2008 Continue reading

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A researcher at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst is about to publish two studies on driver distraction. Both will illuminate the hazards of drivers who spend too much time fussing with car gadgets and not enough time focusing on the road.

Donald L. Fisher, an engineer who runs the Human Performance Lab at UMass-Amherst, found that drivers who used an iPod while driving on a simulator looked away from the road for at last two full seconds, long enough to increase the risk of a car accident by a factor of three.

Another finding from the study was using a voice-activated system makes drivers less likely to take their eyes of the road for a dangerous period of time. The Boston Globe suggests that drivers can also decrease the risk of a car accident by presetting a song line-up so drivers don’t have to adjust iPods or letting the passengers handle the playlist.

Study points to hazard of driver iPods, Boston Globe, October 5, 2008 Continue reading

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In Fall River, Massachusetts, a car crash on Route 24 killed an elderly woman driving a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire.

Evelyn Rebello, 85, of Fall River, reportedly lost control of her car and struck the guardrail, veering right across several lanes of traffic and stopping in the breakdown lane.

Emergency crews transported the car crash victim to Rhode Island Hospital. She suffered serious injuries and died the day after the auto accident.

The Massachusetts State Police are investigating the fatal crash.

Woman dies in Fall River car crash, EyeWitnessNewsTV.com, September 30, 2008
State Police investigate fatal crash on Route 24 in Fall River, SouthCoastToday.com, September 30, 2008 Continue reading

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