Unfortunately, this also contributes directly to the amount of drunk driving accidents that happen in the city every year. It seems that everyday, there’s another report of a famous DUI on the streets of Boston. From Red Sox Pitcher Drake Britton, to the Massachusetts diocese leader, locals and Boston car rental drivers alike have trouble knowing when enough is enough. And yet, a recent story in the Boston Globe shows that the city’s drunk driving arrests are becoming few and far between.

According to the story, Boston police made just 241 drunken driving arrests last year. That’s roughly two every three days. That’s down by a third since 2009. 

And while it’s possible that Bostonian’s are drinking and driving less, chances are the real reason for the decline has to do with enforcement issues. Even though all of the major roadways in and out of Boston are patrolled by State Police, the city’s arrest rate for drunk drivers is significantly lower than comparable jurisdictions, a scary revelation for many Boston car rental travelers.

Too Few Arrests?

According to the State Police, roughly 1,400 operating under the influence (OUI) arrests have been made in Boston since 2010. Most of these arrests were made following the observation of erratic driving or were based on a report from another concerned Boston car rental motorist.

It’s worth noting that this total, which takes into account two full years of patrol, is lower than the one year OUI arrest total for Washington D.C. A comparable community based on size and design, Washington recorded 1,633 drunk driving arrests last year alone. Police in Charlotte, North Carolina, a slightly larger city,  recorded nearly 1,600 arrests. Arrests in Philadelphia were really 20x as high as Boston.

Oh, and incase you didn’t know, the Boston mero area is the 10th largest in the nation. Something doesn’t seem to add up here and it’s beginning to make Boston car rental travelers a little worried.

Less Booze for Boston?

Boston police believe that the drop in arrests isn’t a sign of poor patrolling. Instead, they insist that the drop is based on the ‘walkability’ of the city. Police believe that a solid public transit system and plenty of sidewalks are helping keep intoxicated drivers off the road and improving road conditions for Boston car rental travelers.

Which could be true, but probably not. Remember those Washington statistics? Washington’s ‘walkability’ is on par with Boston’s. So, how come their arrest numbers are so much higher?

Drunk Driving has “Never Been a Priority”

Former Boston police lieutenant Thomas Nolan, feels that the drop in arrests doesn’t reflect a drop in drunk driving incidents. Instead, he insists that policing OUI incidents has never been a main priority for Boston law enforcement. In fact, it’s seen as secondary and a distraction from more important responsibilities.

Funding cuts and reduced manpower means that Boston police officers are required to focus on more important problems. According to Nolan, drunk driving arrests are seen as time consuming and pull officers off of more important projects.

However, studies have shown that routine traffic stops, including those executed unders suspicion of drunk driving, can often lead to more serious investigations, such as drugs and weapons charges.

Overall Stats for Massachusetts

According to last year’s statistics, overall arrests for drunk driving in Massachusetts rose sharply. In 2011, State Police arrested some 3,884 OUI offenders. In 2012, that number was over 5,000. This is the first increase in arrests in three years. What’s more, alcohol-related fatalities have fallen from 155 in 2007 to 114 in 2011 statewide. Stricter laws and greater public awareness are believed to be at the source of this shift. Even so, with minila fear of arrest, more and more people are tempted to get behind the wheel of their Boston car rental after a few beverages.

Every single death and injury caused by drunk driving is preventable. Unfortunately, in spite of continued progress, Boston appears to be falling behind when it comes to policing this issue. Luckily, there are things that you can do in order to help reduce drunk driving accidents during your Boston car rental vacation.

1. Don’t drink and drive yourself! If you’ve had a few too many drinks, don’t get behind the wheel of your Boston car rental. Call a cab to ensure you arrive alive.
2. Always wear your seatbelt. This will help reduce your chances of serious injury in a drunk driving accident.
3. Avoid traveling on the roads after midnight on a weekend.
4. Drive defensively and keep your eyes open for erratic drivers. If you see anything that looks out of the ordinary, contact the authorities.

Together, we can save lives on the roadways of Boston. Don’t drink and drive during your upcoming Boston car rental visit to the city.

Current Construction Problems

If you’re planning to drive between Boston and Cambridge anytime in the near future, plan to leave early. What used to be a simple 15 minute commute along Memorial Drive could take you two or three times as long, thanks to multiple detours on the Anderson Bridge, Western Avenue and the Reid Overpass by the BU Bridge.

Talk about frustrating!

Traffic backups are becoming a pretty standard sight along this route, and the result is causing more than a few headaches. Here’s a quick look at what’s happening where:

Reid Overpass

The roundabout located by the BU Bridge is frustrating on a normal day. Add in unexpected construction on the Memorial Drive overpass and you’ve set the stage for pandaemonium. During a recent bridge inspection, engineers detected structural deficiencies in the overpass, which resulted in an immediate closure. Engineers felt that the bridge could collapse if nose-to-tail backups were to continue on the roadway. As such, the bridge has been closed down in order to fix the issue.

Massachusetts car rental travelers should expect the Reid Overpass to be closed for at least six months. With that being said, road crews are working double shifts in order to complete the project as quickly as possible. Traffic from Memorial Drive is being rerouted to join the local traffic on the roundabout.

Charles River Bridges

Massachusetts car rental travelers might remember when the Craigie and BU bridges were repaired back in 2010. Now, the Anderson Bridge is getting the same treatment, and for good reason. Back in 2007, an eight-lane bridge in Minnesota collapsed due to structural deficiencies. As a result, lawmakers in Massachusetts agreed to review the safety of state bridges, agreeing to fix aging infrastructure over the next 8 years.

This includes six bridges crossing the Charles River between Boston and Cambridge. Every day, more than 23,000 cars cross these bridges during rush hour. While the construction is sure to ruffle a few feathers, delays are far more favorable than a bridge collapse.

Additional bridge repairs are planned for later this month as well. Massachusetts car rental travelers will encounter disruptions on the Longfellow Bridge later this summer. Repairs will begin on the River Street and Western Avenue bridges next year.

Western Avenue Repairs

In the perfect storm of construction chaos, Massachusetts car rental travelers will also encounter delays along Western Avenue. The result of aging water mains, signs in the area advise drivers to “Expect delays: two years.”

Two years!?

The frustration is starting to wear on local residents and Massachusetts car rental travelers alike. Unfortunately, the Department of Public Works had little choice in the matter. The water mains, sewers and drain lines in this area were constructed back in the 1870s. As such, they’ve sustained significant damage and the repairs couldn’t be delayed any longer.

Keeping Tabs on Construction Throughout Massachusetts

Construction can really cramp your commuting style. In order to avoid the hassle of detours and the frustrations of traffic congestion, consider bookmarking the MassDOT Road Work and Incidents Traffic Map. This map displays most of the construction and maintenance that’s being undertaken by MassDOT in the state. It also includes traffic incidents that may affect traffic conditions and commute times in the state.

Massachusetts car rental travelers can also check out real time traffic conditions on the I-90, I-93 Boston, Sumner and Callahan Tunnels, and the Leverett Connector on the MassDOT’s Traffic Alerts page.

Work Zone Safety Driving Tips

As frustrating as construction can be, don’t succumb to the three “S’s” of work zone danger: speed, space, and stress. Here are some tips to manage these factors from behind the wheel of your Massachusetts car rental.

Speed

• Slow down when approaching and traveling through a work zone. Remember to follow the posted speed limits and keep your eyes peeled for workers. Adjust your speed for weather conditions and don’t resume normal speed until you see a roadway sign that indicates it’s safe to do so.

Space

• Leave space between your vehicle, other vehicles, and the work zone. Don’t pass on the shoulder and keep an eye out for tailgaters. If you’re forced to stop in traffic, be sure to leave yourself an ‘out’ – this is a cushion of space that you can use in case a vehicle where to approach you at an unsafe speed.

Stress

• As difficult as it will be, remember to relax when caught in construction. It’s also important that you pay attention to your surroundings. Put your phone away and avoid any distractions. Expect delays and don’t take your frustration out on other drivers. You’re all in the same boat, after all.

There’s no denying how cruddy construction can be. Just remember to keep your cool, plan ahead and expect delays.

But it doesn’t have to be this way!

At VERC Car Rental, we believe that driving shouldn’t be stressful. Instead, it should be an enjoyable experience, both for the person behind the wheel and any onboard passengers. So, how can you improve your daily commute in one of our rent a car in Massachusetts vehicles? Simple – stick to some standard driving etiquette. If everyone abided by a general set of driving principles and rules, the roadways of Massachusetts would be a much calmer place to travel. 

While none of us are perfect drivers, we all have the ability to drive in a civil and unselfish manner. The following are a few simple driving etiquette reminders to take to heart the next time you’re behind the wheel of one of our rent a car in Massachusetts vehicles.

Don’t be a Manic Merger

Poor merging etiquette is a major source of frustration for many commuters. This manoeuvre involves motorists waiting until the very last second to merge at an exit or an ending lane of traffic. More often than not, this creates stop-and-go traffic and causes chaotic traffic congestion as the drivers who are trying to merge encounter resistance from drivers in the next lane. Avoid making this situation worse by merging early into the appropriate lane to avoid clogging traffic. What’s more, if you’re already in the exit lane, allow people to merge in front of you early by leaving plenty of space between your rent a car in Massachusetts vehicle and the car in front of you.

The Trouble with Tailgating

Tailgating isn’t just discourteous, it’s also extremely dangerous. And, as much as you think it will encourage the driver in front of you to go faster, it won’t. Commonsense etiquette says to leave a comfortable amount of space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. This space should be no shorter than three seconds. This space cushion will provide you with time to react in case you ever need to brake quickly.

If you’re constantly being plagued by tailgaters in your Massachusetts car rental, don’t respond in a passive-aggressive manner. Slamming on the brakes isn’t going to teach them a lesson – in all probability, it will result in a dent in your bumper. The best way to deal with tailgaters is to gradually slow down in an attempt to discourage the driver behind you. Hopefully this will cause the driver to either back off or change lanes and go around you.

Don’t Be a Bully

No one likes a bully, especially when you’re stuck in traffic. If you find yourself stuck in traffic congestion and notice that another vehicle on a side street is struggling to cross the street or merge with traffic, don’t make their task harder by blocking their entry. Instead, leave space for the motorist to pass. If possible, help the driver out by signalling that you’re willing to wait in order to let them through. The driver on the cross street will likely have a great many blindspots blocking his or her vision. Your assistance will make it easier for this driver to enter traffic and help ensure the safety of other drivers on the road.

Use Your Signal

Our fleet of rent a car in Massachusetts come equipped with turn signals for a reason. As such, remember to use them! The turn indicators on your car are intend to warn other drivers of your intentions. This will not only make it easier for you to navigate your way through traffic, but it will also help other motorists adjust to traffic movement and provide you with the necessary space to manoeuvre. When changing lanes, navigating a roundabout, or turning onto another street, please remember to signal in advance. It’s not just polite, it’s the law.

Get Out of the Way

Don’t default to the fast lane when traveling in one of our rent a car in Massachusetts vehicles. This will only frustrate the drivers who are driving faster than the speed limit. Once you’ve found a comfortable speed to travel at, move to the right lane and stay there until you need to pass a slower moving vehicle. This will leave the left lane free for faster moving traffic. Once you do pass someone, remember to move back into the right lane. This will help keep the traffic flowing and will prevent accidents.

Put Down Your Phone

You don’t need to respond to that text, email, call, or Facebook post right now. It can wait until you’ve safely come to a stop in your rent a car in Massachusetts vehicle. Playing on your phone while driving is a recipe for disaster. Avoid this distraction by turning your phone off while driving, or stowing it in a bag in the back seat.

Everyone can follow safe driving etiquette, especially you! Remember these tips the next time you’re driving in one of our rent a car in Massachusetts vehicles.

Last month, Massachusetts resident Chris Whyknock received a $35 ticket from a Massachusetts state trooper after he was caught driving with his dog, Bear, on his lap. Whyknock, who was unaware that his actions were against the law. was surprised by the ticket and has promised to take further precautions when driving with his beloved golden retriever in the future.

Like Whyknock, you too can be cited with a traffic violation if you fail to restrain your pet properly on the roadways of Massachusetts. So, before you and your four-legged friend set off on a road trip, remember the following travel tips from VERC Car Rental.

Safety First – Why It’s Best to Restrain Your Pet

It’s important that you crate or harness your dog when traveling. When your dog is properly restrained, you’ll be less distracted behind the wheel, creating a safer travel environment for you, your passengers and your pet. When your pet is retrained in your car rental in Massachusetts vehicle, you also prevent your dog from becoming a projectile in the case of a quick stop or accident.

Car rental in Massachusetts travelers should also avoid feeding their pets prior to a long road trip. This will help reduce the chances of your pet suffering from motion sickness. Similarly, you shouldn’t feed your dog while you’re moving either. Instead, take short, frequent breaks during which you can feed your dogs small, protein rich snacks. It’s also important that you keep your pet hydrated, so remember to pack plenty of water in your car rental in Massachusetts.

Crating Your Dog During Travel

As much as you’d love to have your furry friend sitting next to you on your trip, crating is by far the safest way to transport a dog from point A to point B. In fact, many animals feel safer and more relaxed when crated in a car rental in Massachusetts. Before you crate your dog and embark on a road trip, remember the following:

• Exercise is important. You want to make sure that your dog is good and tired before he hops into your car rental. This way, he’ll be more inclined to rest during your drive.
• Keep the crate clean. Make sure that there’s nothing in the crate that your dog could chew on or that would cause him discomfort. Remove any leashes or collars as these can be especially dangerous strangling hazards. You may, however, wish to provide your pooch with a soft pillow or a beloved toy. A familiar item will help ease any anxiety that your pet might have.
• Be positive. You don’t want to make the crate out to be a prison. This will only make your dog more skittish and uncomfortable. Instead, encourage your dog to hang out in the crate before you head off on your car rental in Massachusetts road trip. Dogs feed off of your energy, so remember to stay happy and energetic.

Things to Look For in a Safety Harness

You would never dream of letting your infant or child ride in a vehicle without the appropriate safety restraints. Why then, do you let your dog roam around the cabin of a car rental in Massachusetts? If you can’t bring a crate along with you on your trip, consider picking up a specially designed dog seatbelt. When shopping around for a dog harness, look for one with broad, thickly padded straps. The broad straps will help to distribute the impact from a crash evenly across the animal’s body, as well as cushion the dog’s chest. You should also invest in a harness that has fasteners which attach directly to the seatbelt connectors in your car. This is a good sign that the harness has been tested fro crashworthiness.

Finally, you want to make sure that the tether is short. The shorter the tether, the less momentum your dog will be able to generate in a crash. This tether should be fastened at the dog’s back, not the neck.

To Medicate or Not to Medicate?

Veterinarians can prescribe anti-nausea medications in order to help prevent your pet from becoming carsick on your car rental in Manhattan journey. If your dog is especially anxious when traveling, this might be your only option to keep them call. Otherwise, it’s best to try and comfort your dog using your voice, attitude, and body language. The last thing you want to do is become reliant on pharmaceuticals in order to keep your pet calm.

Traveling with your dog can be a fun experience for both you and your pet. Just remember to take the proper precautionary steps before embarking on your journey.

Every year, VERC Car Rental helps hundreds of residents move from one place to another, providing them with safe and affordable Massachusetts moving van rentals. Whether you’re moving from a small apartment to a large home, or from one end of town to the other, VERC is here to help make this stressful experience as enjoyable as possible. The following are 12 terrific moving day tips to help you get your life, and your possessions, organized for the big move.

10) Make a List

Jolly old St. Nick isn’t the only person who relies on lists. When packing your Massachusetts moving van rental, makes sure you take the time to record all of your possessions. Create a computer-printed list of numbers and spaces to write out your contents. Place a number on every box you pack and list the contents on your spreadsheet. You’ll be thankful you took the time to do this once you arrive at your new location.

9) Don’t Skimp on Supplies

You can never have too many boxes when you’re moving. So don’t be stingy. If you buy your boxes from a moving company, get extra (most companies will take back any unused boxes and issue you a refund). You should also set at least 10 extra boxes aside for last minute items that pop up out of nowhere on moving day. Invest in strong packing tape to ensure that your boxes are properly secured, and don’t be shy when it comes to bubble wrap or packing peanuts.

8) Get Colorful

If you’re a visual person, consider color coordinating your boxes for easy identification. Apply colored stickers to denote which room boxes belong to or whether the items inside are heavy, fragile, etc. This will make the process of loading your Massachusetts moving van rental easier.

7) Keep Things Together

Resist the urge to tuck small items into every available space in your moving boxes. This is how items get lost. Instead, make an effort to keep bookends with books, lightbulbs with lamps, etc. Attach small, loose parts to the items they belong to with tape. What’s more, keep any corresponding cords with the electronics that they power. As a backup, have a “Parts Box” on standby while packing. Fill it with miscellaneous cables, cords, brackets, and parts. If you can’t find where these items belong once you’ve moved into your new location, toss the contents – it’s just taking up space!

6) Pack as Much as You Can

The more you can pack ahead of time, the more time you’ll save come moving day. This means boxing up your shampoo and extra toothpaste and living out of a travel cosmetics case for the last week or so. Leave just one set of plates and utensils out for each member of your family. Pack your waste bins and use plastic bags for your trash. Small things like this will enable you to spend more time packing your Massachusetts moving van rental.

5) Clean as You Go

If you’re required to clean your space after moving out, try and do it as efficiently as possible on moving day. Put together a cleaning kit before hand that includes basic supplies. Clean as much as you can ahead of time, vacuuming each room as movers empty it of furniture.

4) Make Use of Your Luggage

You have to pack it anyways, so why not make use of it? Fill any luggage and duffle bags with clothing, linens, and paper items.

3) Keep Valuable Items Safe

It’s always a good idea to keep valuable items, like antiques and jewelry with you, and not in the back of your Massachusetts moving van rental. It’s also important that you review your homeowner’s insurance to see what kind of coverage you have during a move. Now’s also the time to dig out any important paperwork that might need in case you need to file a claim.

2) Keep Important Papers With You

Like your valuables, it makes more sense to keep important papers in your vehicle and with you rather than buried in a box in your Massachusetts moving van rental. Important papers should include birth certificates, school records, mover estimates, new job contacts, the contact information for utility companies, recent bank records, closing papers and maps.

1) Pack Personal Boxes For Each Member of Your Family

Let each member of your family pack a personal box that includes “right away” items – things like towels, sheets, cosmetics, and important personal items. Remember to pack a favorite stuffed animal or two in a child’s personal box – familiar items like this will help make the transition easier.

Moving can be a long and frustrating task, but planning ahead will go a long way to making the process easier and more bearable.

Do you have any tips for easing the stress of moving day? Share them below and we”l be sure to pass them along to your Massachusetts moving van rental customers.

That’s right, Massachusetts car rental travelers can cut their fuel costs quickly and efficiently by opting to drive a hybrid rental during their upcoming trip. As with any vehicle, a combination of driving styles and road conditions will factor into your hybrid’s fuel economy. The following are a few simple tips that will help you get the most of your hybrid Massachusetts car rental.

Starting and Warming Up Your Hybrid Massachusetts Car Rental

Not surprisingly, hybrid vehicles are pretty good as far as gas is concerned. That’s kind of the whole reason they exist, after all. Hybrid Massachusetts car rentals feature engines that are specifically designed for efficiency rather than performance. This is because electric motors share the work. Thanks to continuously-variable transmissions, these sophisticated engines supply only as much power as needed in any driving situation.

Frequent short city trips are never good for gas mileage, whether you’re driving a hybrid or not. Combine errands in order to reduce the number of warm-ups, and thus the amount of fuel, used.

Accelerating and Cruising in Your Hybrid

Making the most of your continuously-variable transmission is what will enable you to stretch your gas mileage further in your Massachusetts car rental.

One of the best ways to do this is to accelerate harder when moving away from a resting position. This is because you use more energy pulling away than when cruising. As such, if you use the electric mode when accelerating you’ll end up using more electricity that could be put to better use when cruising on the highway.

As such, remember to accelerate using gas. You can then back off and flip to electric mode once you’ve reached your desired speed. You’ll use a negligible amount of gas during the acceleration phase and you’ll reserve your electric power for cruising.

Note: If you’re crawling in traffic, gentle acceleration is the most economical. During these situations, keep your hybrid Massachusetts car rental on electric mode. The gasoline in your rental can be put to better use when moving.

Don’t forget to make use of your cruise control as well. This feature, which provides a smooth acceleration and allows the computer in your Massachusetts car rental to make fuel-savings decisions on your behalf, can really impact your gas mileage. Keep it set at about 55 miles per hour (lower speeds will produce even better mileage results). If you’re driving through hilly terrain however, stick to manual speed. This will help you avoid overtaxing your battery.

The Best Way to Brake

Most, if not all, hybrid Massachusetts car rentals have a regenerative effect. This means that they supply power back to the battery when you break or back off on the gas. Drivers who pay attention to their surroundings and avoid hard brakes will generate far more electricity, extending the life of their battery charge. Race around and slam on the brakes and you’ll do the exact opposite.

Be Mindful of How You Use Your Accessories

If it’s sweltering outside, by all means, turn on your air conditioning. Just note that features like climate control and your vehicle’s radio will zap your Massachusetts car rental of it’s juice quicker when engaged.

If your hybrid Massachusetts car rental has an “eco” mode try and use it as often as you can. This setting is designed to limit your air conditioning and other accessory levels so that they automatically draw less power.

What’s more, try and avoid using headlights in broad daylight. While many hybrid Massachusetts car rental options now feature low-energy LED headlights, some may still be equipped with halogen lamps, which tend to draw a ton of energy.

Idling Versus Shutting Down

This is easily one of the most debated topics in the realm of fuel economy. In the hybrid world, it’s actually more efficient to leave your Massachusetts car rental in park and running if you’re going to be sitting for ten minutes or less. Simply flip the vehicle to electric mode, turn off the heating, cooling, lights and other electric accessories and let the vehicle sit. The goal here is to avoid shutting the car down and restarting it, at which time the vehicle will need to run through it’s startup cycle, which will likely require gas.

Are these techniques foolproof? Of course not. However, if you make an effort to stick to them, they should help you manage your fuel in a more efficient manner.

Do you have any hybrid driving tips that you’d like to share with our customers? If so, please feel free to post them in the comments below.

Whether you’re a local resident or a tourist driving one of our Boston car rentals, now’s the time to start preparing for some serious traffic troubles this weekend. This is especially true for folks who’ll be commuting through the heart of the race route in Newton. The following road closures were released earlier this week on the Newton Patch website. For more information on the marathon and subsequent events, travelers in Boston car rentals are asked to refer to the official Boston Marathon website. 

The Route

The Boston Marathon runs through 26 miles and 385 yards of winding roads. The majority of the race takes place on Rte. 135, Rte. 16, and Rte. 30. The official finish line is located at Copley Square. Even though it’s called the Boston Marathon, the race actually runs through eight different Massachusetts cities and towns: Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, and Boston.

The course, which is considered one of the more difficult road races in the nation, features a number of hills. They culminate with Heartbreak Hill, which is located near Boston College. The most difficult hill in the race, Heartbreak Hill is located on Washington Street (Rte. 16), climbing from the Charles River at 16 miles. This hill, which follows a 150-foot drop in a half-mile stretch, has been known to force many runners to a walking pace.

This incline was nicknamed “Heartbreak Hill” after the 1936 race. Defending champion John A. Kelley overtook Ellison Brown on the hill, at which point he gave his competitor a consolatory pat on the shoulder. This gesture renewed the competitive spirit in Brown, who would rally and pull ahead of Kelley, winning the race. It’s said that Brown’s win effectively “broke Kelley’s heart.”

Sunday Road Closures – The Heartbreak Hill Road Race

Travelers in Boston car rentals should be advised of the following traffic changes and road closures to be put in place for Newton’s Annual Heartbreak Hill Road Race, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 14th:

• Traffic patterns will change on Commonwealth Avenue, between City Hall and Centre Street.
• Expect traffic on Walnut Street from the Commonwealth Avenue to Homer Street to be diverted.
• Travelers in Boston car rentals will only be able to travel eastbound on Homer Street between Walnut Street and Commonwealth Avenue.

These traffic changes are slated to take place beginning at approximately 9 a.m. and are expected to stay in place until noon, if not later.

Marathon Monday Road Closures

The following road closures and traffic changes will begin at roughly 8:45 a.m. and will be in effect until 5 p.m.:

• Washington Street from the Wellesley Line (also known as Rte. 16) to Commonwealth Avenue (Rte. 30) will be closed.
• Commonwealth Avenue (Rte 30) from Washington Street (Rte. 16) to the Boston line will be closed beginning at roughly 9 a.m.
• Travelers in Boston car rentals should note that all roads that intersect Commonwealth Avenue and/or Washington Street will be turned into dead ends as traffic will not be permitted to cross the marathon route.
• Travelers in Boston car rentals are asked to use Rte. 128, Rte. 9 or the Mass Pike in order to get across town on April 15th.

Changes to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority Schedule

Marathon Monday will also impact a number of MBTA public transportation routes. Here’s a quick look at what to expect:

• The Red, Blue, Orange, Green and Silber lines will be operating on their regular weekday schedule. Riders will also be able to catch an extra train on each of these lines directly before and after the race.
• Copley station will be closed all day. It’s recommended that riders use the Hynes or Arlington Stations instead.
• The Berkley Street entrance/exit to the Arlington STation will remain closed and the “B” section of the Hynes Convention Center located on Boylston Street will be available for exit only.
• Avoid long lines at the station by loading your CharlieCards today.
• Commuter Rail service will operate on its regular weekday schedule.
• Expect delays on all impacted MBTA lines. Remember to budget additional time in order to make it to the race on time.

Information for Spectators

Travelers in Boston car rentals are encouraged to come out and cheer for the runners on Marathon Monday. Roughly 500,000 spectators come out every year to watch the run, making it New England’s most widely-viewed sporting event. Travelers in Boston car rentals can view the race at any point along the route. Popular cheer sections are located at Mile 13 in front of Wellesley College (home to the “scream tunnel”) and at Mile 21 in front of Boston College.

If you’re planning to attending the Red Sox game on Marathon Monday don’t forget to head to Kenmore Square following the game. Every year, fans flood the square to cheer the runners into the final mile. This tradition started back in 1903 and is as much a part of the race as Heartbreak Hill!

Are you planning to watch this year’s Marathon? Where are you planning to watch from? Let us know in the comments!

Why Are There So Many Bad Drivers in Boston?

It’s actually not all that surprising that Boston has more than its fair share of traffic expressions and terrible drivers. Just take a look at the city’s urban plan… or lack of an urban plan. While other city’s experience gridlock, Boston’s helter-skelter design doesn’t even have a grid to cause traditional problem for Boston rent a car travelers. The design itself has contributed to the term the “Boston Block” – where cars jam an intersection where many streets converge.

In the spring issue of the magazine Buddadharama, book editor Brian Arundel set about describing this and other unique terms for visiting Boston rent a car travelers. Here are just a few of the terms that Arundel and others have come across since moving to Beantown.

The Boston Left

“There’s this thing that drivers do here when the light turns green,” wrote Arundel. This “thing” is shoot out and turn left in front of you, without so much as a second glance. Arundel and fellow Boston transplants refer to this as the “Boston Left.” While this may seem startling to Boston rent a car visitors, it’s relatively engrained in the local culture to the point that it’s more common than not.

But wait, there’s another definition associated with this local driving habit.

In a 2006 column, Boston Globe writer Peter DeMarco pointed out the following definition from The Boston Driver’s Handbook: Wild in the Streets:

You pull out into the right-bound lane, thereby blocking traffic, while waiting for an opening in the traffic in the left-bound lane.

This maneuver occurs most often at an intersection with no light. Others refer to this as the “Boston crawl.” Either way, it’s terribly frustrating when it happens in front of your Boston rent a car.

The Boston Stop

Also known as the “rolling stop,” this maneuver happens at practically every stop sign in the city. A rolling stop happens when a Boston rent a car slows down before coming to a stop sign without ever actually coming to a complete stop before proceeding. A common driving tactic for hurried commuters, the rolling stop, while relatively harmless, is still very illegal in Massachusetts. Still, ask any Boston driver about their questionable stopping and they’ll be quick to tell you they’ve done nothing wrong.

The Boston Bump

This term stems from Bostonians’ notorious lack of patience. The “Bump” occurs most often at a red light that has suddenly turned green. If, for one reason or another, the first driver in line at the intersection fails to notice this change immediately, it’s not uncommon for the car directly behind you to give you a slight tap (or, if the driver is having a particularly bad day, a sharp rap) on the rear bumper of your Boston rent a car.

Yep, Boston drivers are that impatient.

The Breakdown Lane

In Boston, the shoulder is referred to as the “Breakdown Lane.” Which, oddly enough, is the last lane you want to break down in, especially during the city’s hectic rush hour. This is because the highway shoulder often turns into a high-speed lane (in some places, this is actually legal). This has resulted in a series of emergency turn-outs along Route 128 next to the breakdown lane. If your Boston rent a car does, in fact, break down, try and make it to one of these safe havens.

Gahkablahka

Say what? This mouthful refers to a traffic tie-up caused by people looking at an accident on the other side of the road. This term, which is a creative way of rhyming “gawker” with “blocker” was coined by long-time WEEI traffic reporter Kevin O’Keefe, who was also found of terms like “stall ‘n’ crawl,” “cram ‘n’ jam,” and “snail trail.”

Listen Up for Short Forms

Boston rent a car drivers are often quick to notice that local residents have a knack for shortening streets with long names, especially avenues, or “avs” in Boston lingo. As such, expect Massachusetts Avenue to become Mass-av; Commonwealth AVenue to become Comm-av, and so on. This is such an excepted reference that, for many years, the Boston Globe even used “av” (yes, in lower case) in their publications.

It’s Not Just Boston

While the language for insulting the driving skills of Bostonians is intensely local, the fact of the matter is that a number of other cities in the nation have similar terms. Take the “Boston stop,” for example. California drivers often refer to this maneuver as the “California Roll” (no doubt inspired by the popular sushi roll). This bad driving behavior is also referred to as the “Michigan Stop,” the “New York Stop,” and the “Florida Stop.”

Have you heard of any regional driving terms, Bostonian or otherwise, not listed here? Leave then name and definition in the comments.

The State of Massachusetts Is Committed to Smarter Driving

The following eco-friendly driving practices are endorsed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Keep them in mind the next time you’re out and about in your Massachusetts car rental.

1) Stick to the Speed Limit

Vehicle fuel consumption increases roughly 5% for every 5 miles per hour driven over 60 mph. If you have a tendency to speed your way through life, slow down! Not only will it keep you safer on the road, it will also help you cut down on your gas consumption. According to MassDot, overall savings in fuel costs from simply slowing down can range from 7% to 23%.

2. Slow and Steady Acceleration Wins Every Time

Speeding off the line won’t just burn rubber – it will also burn a hole in your wallet. Quick accelerations, or “jack rabbit starts” as they’re often referred to, can increase fuel consumption by up to 40%. What’s more, quick starts will really only improve your travel time by an estimated 4% – so what’s the rush? Accelerate your Massachusetts car rental gradually to avoid unnecessary fuel usage. Drivers can also conserve momentum by maintaing a steady speed and traveling at an efficient rate.

3. Don’t Be Idle

Nothing good comes from idling in your Massachusetts car rental. Not only does it waste fuel, but it also causes engine wear and increases emissions unnecessarily. If you need to warm your vehicle up before hitting the roads, limit your idling to less than one minute; driving slowly is a more efficient way to heat up your Massachusetts car rental. If you’re idling in town at a drive-thru or a drop-off location, remember the following: idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than shutting off and restarting your vehicle.

If you absolutely have to idle, shift your vehicle into neutral. This way, the engine isn’t working against the brake, which can often cause it to consume more fuel.

4. Take a Load Off

Check the trunk and back seat of your vehicle – how much of your cargo is unnecessary weight? For every extra 100 pounds that you remove from inside or on top of your vehicle you can reduce your fuel consumption by up to 2%. If you need to transport items, consider renting a moving van or a larger SUV. When you strap items to the top of your Massachusetts car rental you increase aerodynamic drag, which further reduces fuel economy.

5. Know When to Use Your Windows

You don’t need to flip on the air conditioning in order to regulate the temperature in your Massachusetts car rental. Rolling down your windows and using the flow through air vents will quickly and efficiently cool down a car when it’s travelling around the 40 miles per hour mark. However, if you’re traveling on the highway in your Massachusetts car rental it makes more sense to put your windows up and turn on the A/C. If your rental has a “recycled inside air” feature, flick it on. This will reuse the cooled air inside the car, which will reduce your fuel consumption. Leaving the windows open when driving at speeds over 50 miles per hour can increase aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and lower its fuel economy. When it comes time to park your Massachusetts car rental, look for a spot that’s shaded.

6. Get in the Right Gear

You Massachusetts car rental is most efficient when it’s running in the highest possible gear. This enables the vehicle to use less power while at the same time reducing fuel consumption, emissions, and engine wear and tear.

7. Take Fewer Trips

Plan ahead when putting together your Massachusetts car rental itinerary. This way, you’ll spend less time backtracking and idling in stop-and-go traffic.

8. Keep Your Fuel Tank Cap Tight

Did you know a loose gas cap can cost you as much as 30 gallons of fuel a year? Keeping your gas cap tight will help protect your Massachusetts car rental from fuel contamination and engine malfunctions.

How VERC Keeps Their Fleet Efficient

Good maintenance practices can go a long way to ensuring the efficiency of your rental vehicle. Our technicians follow a strict maintenance schedule in order to ensure that every Massachusetts car rental in our fleet is operating to the highest standards. This includes:

• Ensuring Proper Tire Pressure
  It’s estimated that 25% of all vehicles on Massachusetts’ roads are running on under inflated tires. At VERC, we make sure that the tires on our vehicles are always properly inflated. Proper tire pressure is safer and can improve your fuel efficiency by 3%.

• Selecting the Right Oil
  VERC uses only high quality oils with a viscosity grade that’s recommended by the vehicle’s operating manual.

Smart driving can save you money. For more information on eco-driving practices, check out the Massachusetts Department of Transportation website today.

Boston’s most notorious toll road, the Mass Turnpike is often a source of frustration for many Massachusetts rental car drivers. Long lines at tolling booths are a constant hassle for commuters, not to mention a key contributor to unnecessary exhaust emissions.

But not for long.

Late last year, Governor Deval L. Patrick revived a plan to install all-electronic tolling machines on the Mass Turnpike, which if passed, would eliminated the need for toll collectors. 

The new system, which would cost the state roughly $100 million to build, could repay itself in as little as three years. Patrick’s proposal comes at a convenient time; many of the tollbooths along the turnpike are in need of capital improvements as it is. Installing the new system now would enable a smooth transition and could save the state a great deal of money over the long-term. Patrick also believes that the new booths would “make the commute and use of the Pike more convenient” both for local residents and visiting Massachusetts rental car travelers.

Working Out the Kinks

Patrick’s proposed electronic tolling system upgrade could begin as early as 2015. Once fully implemented, the system will replace some 410 full-time and part-time toll collectors, improving the efficiency of the Pike considerably.

Patrick has been considering implementing an electronic tolling system since 2010. While he’s been hit with opposition in the past, things appear to be falling in his favor this time around. According to House Speaker Rober A. DeLeo, Massachusetts’ transportation system is expected to record a $1 billion shortfall this year in regards to road, bridge, and rail maintenance. Finding ways to alleviate costs and improve commute times for Massachusetts rental car travelers is high on the State’s list of things to do.

How the System Would Work

The proposed system would work similar to the current E-ZPass system, which provides customers with a quick and easy electronic toll collection through the use of a transponder. For Massachusetts rental cars without transponders, the new system would take a photo of the license plate and issue a bill to the motorist automatically. Transactions would be picked up by sensors located over top of Mass Pike on-ramps and off-ramps.

Similar automatic tolling systems are also being proposed for the Maurice J. Tobin Memorial Bridge and the tunnels located at Logan International Airport.

About E-ZPass

The E-ZPass system is operational on the entire Massachusetts Turnpike. This includes the Sumner and Ted Williams Tunnels, as well as the Tobin Memorial Bridge. Massachusetts rental car travelers that currently subscribe to the program are rewarded with a number of benefits including discounted toll road fees. Individual accounts receive a $0.25 discount at the Allston-Brighton tolls and a $0.50 discount at the Sumner and Ted Williams tunnels and the Tobin Memorial Bridge. E-ZPass holders also receive monthly statements and enjoy online access to their E-ZPass account where they can quickly and easily add additional funds to their transponder.

If you would like to learn more about E-ZPass you’re encouraged to visit one of the three Customer Service Centers located in Auburn, Natick, and East Boston. Locations and hours are as follows:

E-ZPass MA Customer Service Center
27 Midstate Drive
Auburn, Massachusetts 01501
Telephone: 1-877-627-7745
Fax: (508) 786-5222
TTD/TTY (Hearing Impaired Phone Line Only): (508) 721-7974
Monday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Sunday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Commercial and Violations Departments: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Handicap accessible

E-ZPass MA Customer Service Center
Tunnel Administration Building
145 Havre Street
East Boston, Massachusetts 02128
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday, Thursday: 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

E-ZPass MA Customer Service Center
Natick Service Plaza, Eastbound on the Massachusetts Turnpike at Mile Marker 117
Natick, Massachusetts 01760
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Handicap accessible

Current Tolls on the Mass Pike

There has been nothing to suggest that a toll increase would accompany the new automated system. As such, Massachusetts rental car travelers would be expected to pay based on the current toll calculator, which calculates your toll based on where you enter and exit the Turnpike. Massachusetts rental car travelers can view Turnpike tolls online in the Highway Division of the MassDOT website.

About the Massachusetts Turnpike

According to the Massachusetts Highway Department, the Turnpike carries approximately 20,000 vehicles per day at the Massachusetts/New York border. This number increases to roughly 50,000 vehicles per day through the Springfield area, approximately 85,000 vehicles per day in the Worcester area, and 105,000 vehicles per day through the city of Boston. Currently, the state collects about $300 million in tolls every year.

VERC Car Rental will follow this story as it unfolds. Stay tuned to our blog for more information.