State Police Spread Awareness on Use of Headphones While Driving

The use of such electronic devices can be hazardous while operating a vehicle, State Police said this week.

[Editor's Note: The following message was submitted to Melrose Patch by the Massachusetts State Police.] The Massachusetts State Police, in conjunction with the Department of Transportation, have begun a public awareness message on the use of personal headphones, or “ear buds,” while driving a motor vehicle. The constant need for instant communication has helped pioneer a host of advanced cell phone technology and has become an integral part of our lives. Unfortunately, this has added to the many distractions that hinder safe operation of motor vehicles. Hands-free technology, including personal headphones, have helped eliminate the constant need to hold a cell phone while driving. But some operators have begun to use their headsets to …

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Road Rage Not Common in Melrose, Readers Say

Do you agree or disagree?

Last week, Melrose Patch asked you to tell us where in the city is it most likely to experience or encounter road rage. However, the couple of readers who replied to our question said that they rarely came across it at all, anywhere in Melrose.  Tina DeSelm, who said she has only experienced road rage once, attributed that to the fact that she normally walks around town. "Now if you want to talk about 93 on my commute home, I've got some stories," she added in the comments section.  Justin H also said he doesn't see road rage that much in Melrose. But "The Pond St/Ravine Rd "experiment" has definitely tested the patience of commuters in the evening rush," he said.  Is road rage as uncommon as these readers' say it is? Tell us in the …

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TELL US: Which Melrose Area Community Has the Worst Road Rage?

Let us know by posting a comment below.

Whether you're commuting, running errands or cruising around town, we're sure you've experienced it or witnessed it at some point — road rage.  It's often in police logs, and you've probably had a few choice words yourself when you've been cut off or seen someone on the cell phone. With this in mind, we'd like to know: Which Melrose area community has the worst road rage problem? Where are the worst spots when it comes to driving? Let us know by posting a comment in the comments. [Editor's note: Remember to keep it clean. If you violate our terms of use (check it out here) your comment will be deleted and your account may be suspended. If you have the urge to use profanity, using asterisks (*) will not suffice. Please find another way to …

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Mark Ouellette

11:48 am on Friday, October 5, 2012

Hi Justin, The six-month trial at Ravine Road is expected to run through Nov. 5. After that date, the Stoneham Board of Selectmen will be reviewing the data before deciding how they plan to proceed.   more ›

Readers Blame Consumers for Spike In Gas Prices

"Fundamentally, long-term, it's us," one reader said.

Last week, Melrose Patch asked for your opinion on the cause for the recent spike in the cost of gasoline.  Readers Josh Chace and Percy both blamed consumers for the $0.16 increase from last month to now in gas prices.  "Being so dependant on fossil fuels, driving completely inefficient cars, and wanton disregard for options to take mass transit, carpool, or just using our gas more efficiently allows OPEC and other conglomerates in charge of distribution to charge whatever amount they want and we have no choice but to pay it," Chase wrote in the comments. "Fundamentally, long-term, it's us," Percy added.  Other readers, like Ted Hunt, had a different take.  "I would like to hold Congressman Markey responsible," Hunt wrote, "because of his…

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Poll Results: Franklin Street Worst Spot in Melrose for Speeding

That's what the majority of people who voted in last week's poll said.

Last week, we at Melrose Patch asked you where in Melrose speeding happened the most.  Here's the breakdown of the results:  What do you think of the results? Tell is in the comments section below. 

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POLL: Worst Speeding Spots in Melrose?

Vote for the most dangerous street in the city.

Last week, we asked you to tell us the streets in Melrose where drivers speed most. Several people named names, and it was clear that there are many streets in the city where pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers worry about being hit by a car.  This week, we're asking you to vote for the street in the city that you think is the most dangerous out the ones suggested by fellow readers.  Look for the results of the poll next Tuesday. 

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Jack Oliva

10:42 pm on Wednesday, August 29, 2012

If you count running stop signs as speeding, the intersection of West Emerson and Tremont is high on the list. I've seen people blow through without even slowing down. Others have gone around from behind a vehicle at the stop line and taken a turn while almost mowing down pedestrians. Saw another person go through a red light straight across the intersection of East Emerson and Lebanon after …   more ›

[UPDATE] Last Chance: Shifting Gears Program for Senior Drivers

The RMV will hold an hour-long program at the Milano Senior Center on Tuesday, July 17 at 1:30 p.m. about issues facing senior drivers.

Editor's note: This article was updated on Monday at 11:35 a.m. with a rescheduled date and time for the program. Hundreds of events are posted on Melrose Patch each week, but how often does one pass you by that you wish you hadn't missed? Each week Melrose Patch will give you a quick reminder about an event, an important sign-up, or a looming deadline you won't want to forget. From a press release submitted by Council on Aging Executive Director Dawn Folopoulos: In today's world, driving a car may seem to be a necessary part of life, however, owning a vehicle and holding a driver's license are privileges that come with a great deal of responsibility. Join Michele Ellicks, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Registry of Motor Vehicles (…

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Poll Results: Ban All Cell Use While Driving

Those who voted in the poll overwhelmingly came down on the side of banning all cellphone use by drivers.

The National Transportation Safety Board, an independent agency, recently recommended that states ban the use of hands-free cellphone use, according to a report by The New York Times. So last week, we asked in a poll: Should all cellphone use by drivers be banned? The results? Melrosians who voted overwhemingly came down on the side of banning all cellphone use by drivers. The breakdown: In the comments, Steve said he sees a lot near misses due to people talking on their cell phones, and added that banning cell phones altogether would address the problem of enforcing Massachusetts' current texting ban. However, he wondered about using an iPhone while driving to play music. What do you think? Tell us in the comments.

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Blog Posts of the Week

Blogs: A Stalking Duck, Food Truck Fest, Tweeple, and Bad Drivers

Each Friday, we'll round up our favorite blog posts of the week from Melrose Patch bloggers.

Every Friday we'll pick our favorite Melrose Patch blog posts from the week and compile them here. If you want to share your thoughts about Melrose and the issues of the day, or want to share your expertise in a particular area, email me at danield@patch.com about blogging on Melrose Patch.

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