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Travel Ban

Saturday, February 9, 2013

What Do You Think About Gov. Patrick’s Travel Ban?

Do you agree with the governor's decision or was it too drastic?

All non-emergency drivers were ordered off the roads on Friday when Gov. Deval Patrick issued an executive order banning travel during the blizzard. (Editor's note: The ban is lifted statewide as of 4 p.m. Saturday.) Patrick's executive order is being praised by some and bashed by others, reported The Boston Globe. While former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, who was in charge of the commonwealth during the Blizzard of ’78, praised the governor’s move, others called the order “tyrannical” and say the strict ban and hefty fines were too much, according to The Globe. Those caught violating the ban would face up to a year in jail and a $500 fine. What do you think? Do you agree with the governor’s decision or do you think the travel ban …

JT

3:40 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013

People should use their common sense in situations like this--but there are always some who won't and will endanger others in the process. The ban was good in that respect, and the $500 fine certainly should have made folks think twice if they were hesitating over driving or staying home for no particular reason. However, the threatened jail time was absurd--and enough's been said about that here…   more ›

State Driving Ban Ends at 4

Gov. Deval Patrick said roads will be OK for travel beginning at 4 p.m.

The state driving ban will be lifted at 4 p.m. today. Gov. Deval Patrick tweeted from his official account just before 1 p.m.: “Driving ban lifted immediately for Nantucket County & for all communities west of I-91; driving ban lifted statewide as of 4 PM,” Gov. Deval Patrick tweeted from his official @MassGovernor account. Patrick signed an executive order to ban vehicle traffic beginning at 4 p.m. Friday. It was the first time the order had been signed since 1978. Penalties for driving during the ban include a $500 fine and up to one year in prison. 

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