Driving in Boston

1. Always look right and left before proceeding through a green light.
2. When on a one way street, stay to the right to allow for oncoming traffic to pass.
3. Never, ever stop for a pedestrian unless he flings himself under the wheels of your car.
4. The first parking space you see will be the last parking space you see. Grab it.
5. Learn to swerve abruptly. Boston is the home of slalom driving, thanks to the Department of Transportation, which puts potholes in key locations to test drivers' reflexes and keep them on their toes.
6. Never get in the way of a car that needs extensive bodywork.
7. Double-park in the North End of Boston and South Boston, unless triple-parking is available.
8. Always look both ways when running a red light.
9. Honk your horn the instant the light changes.
10. Breakdown lanes are not for breaking down, but for speeding, especially during rush hour. Breakdown lanes may also end without warning causing traffic jams as people merge back in.
11. If you should break down, allow your vehicle to come to a stop in the center lane. If road conditions are hazardous, exit your vehicle, without looking, and stand next to it, with your back to oncoming traffic.
12. Never use directional signals when changing lanes. They only warn other drivers to speed up and not let you in.
13. To signal a lane change, look in the direction you're about to go, as you do so. Wearing a baseball cap is considered an extra safety measure.
14. Making eye contact revokes your right of way.
15. Never pass on the left when you can pass on the right.
16. Whenever possible, stop in the middle of a crosswalk to ensure inconveniencing as many pedestrians as possible. And if a pedestrian ahead of you steps into the road, speed up loudly and chase them up on the curb. Pedestrians have no rights.
17. On a multi-lane highway, always drive in the left lane, even if there are others wanting to pass. Stay in the left lane until the last possible instant before cutting across all lanes to the exit.
18. When making a left turn at an intersection with a red light, glare at the oncoming drivers, inch your way into the intersection, and floor it when the green light from the other direction turns yellow.
19. When merging, floor it, as you hit the "on ramp" and proceed immediately to the furthest left hand lane.
20. When road conditions are hazardous, swerve in and out of lanes, to pass slower moving vehicles.
21. Communicating with other drivers and pedestrians is important. Gesture often.
22. The furthest right lane is reserved for passing. The furthest left lane is reserved for slower moving vehicles.
23. Always bring your cell phone with you. Highway driving is a perfect time to chat with your friends and loved ones.
24. If you miss your exit, stop abruptly and back up.
25. When another car pulls up close behind you and "flashes their brights", slam on your breaks.
26. When entering a tunnel, always slow down and pause before entering, even if there is no traffic or reason for delay.
27. When faced with a lane detour, due to construction, always pass as many complying vehicles as possible, wait until the last possible second, then swerve into the specified lane.
28. Be prepared for abundant construction detours.
29. Taxi Cab drivers are highly trained professionals. Observe and learn from their masterful techniques and driving skills.
30. Only those pedestrians not looking where they're going, head and eyes fixed firmly forward, are allowed to cross in front of traffic. Be sure to "break" hard and stop as close to them as possible.
    • Tip: Only pedestrians crossing within "Cross Walks" have legal rights. Pedestrians outside of "Cross Walks" are "fair game".

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