The governor of Massachusetts issued an order Friday during the snow storm forbidding anyone to drive their vehicles on any roads in Massachusetts after 4 p.m. Along with the order came the threat that if caught, he’d throw you in jail for one year and fine you $500. The driving ban was lifted sometime late Saturday.
This bizarre overreaction to the storm is typical of bureaucratic power gone awry. In this case, Gov. Deval Patrick is the person responsible. Yes, Boston got clobbered with snow, but Berkshire County had maybe six inches of snow, and the people I spoke to there didn’t even know about the order to not drive after 4 p.m.
This meant that if they were caught driving home from work in North Adams to say, Williamstown, after 4 p.m., they would end up in jail for one year! How bizarre and ridiculous!
Other states in New England did not issue any overkill orders to not drive your car home from work or go out for a gallon of milk after 4 p.m. They simply said to please use caution and only drive if necessary. It appears that in Massachusetts, Big Brother is watching, so watch out.
Tom King
Shaftsbury, Vt.
Feb. 10
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