Law and common sense in Maryland
The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee was hearing a bill Thursday that would require drivers to move over or slow down when passing an emergency vehicle parked by the side ofr the road with its lights flashing -- a perfectly sensible law adopted by 47 states but not Maryland.
Sen. Jamie Raskin, a Montgomery County Democrat, asked Bernard Shaw, who was testifying in favor of the bill for the Maryland Troopers Association, why we would need legislation to force people to do what is only common sense.
Shaw's answer: Just drive down any road in the state of Maryland."
Nuff said.
Comments
Speaking of common sense, or lack thereof, it boggles my mind that Maryland does not require keeping to the right except when passing. The blame is with the legislature and the state police, who last I checked have never recommended it.
One result is dangerous movements, like coming onto a multi-lane highway and heading right across to the far left lane even when there are no cars to pass. I have even seen a driver fail to move over when a marked police car came up behind him without flashing lights.
Another result, which is open to criticism, is my habit of keeping to the right lane most of the time. Often I pass other cars on the right, which has its dangers. But I don't have to worry about my limited vision space to the right rear, either. And often the right lane is faster than the middle ones.
Posted by: Jim Keat | February 19, 2010 1:33 PM
What would it take to get the legislature and the state bureaucracy to do what is only common sense?
Posted by: John20723 | February 19, 2010 4:36 PM