Active Breakdown Lanes A Hazard, Some Drivers Say

WBZ

It's a system Massachusetts Highway officials came up with years ago, to ease those painful rush hour traffic jams. The breakdown lanes on several highways open up as regular travel lanes during certain hours in certain spots... 6:00 am to 10:00 am, and then again from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm.

The problem is, some drivers say it has become a treacherous area. "The breakdown lane is a free-for-all," says Mark Carey, who wrote to WBZ with his curiosity. "I'm not just curious, but frustrated and upset."

Curious? Declare Your Curiosity

Carey, a general contractor from Methuen, travels in his truck all over the state. He says he has a hard time getting off exits when drivers are speeding up on his right in the breakdown lane. "It feels like you have to make sure the space shuttle doesn't come in for a landing on top of you before you get to the exit ramp."

State Police distribute a flyer that explains the rules. "The active breakdown lane is not designed to be used as an express lane or high speed passing lane... use extreme caution and drive below the posted speed limit, especially at on and off ramps, where traffic is entering and exiting from this lane."

Carney says he tries to go slower than the speed limit. "I feel like I'm a rolling roadblock," he said. "It's very typical of Massachusetts. You give the drivers a break. You try to ease the traffic burden and we mess it up."

Police say they do what they can to enforce the laws in breakdown lanes, giving out tickets when necessary. In extreme cases, they say a violator can even lose a license.

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