by Jon Cotton

Last week Boston cyclist (and lawyer) Josh Zisson wrote a blog article on the danger for cyclists of wearing earbuds.  There’s no law against it, but it’s dangerous.  Meanwhile the Massachusetts State Police published a post last week about motorists wearing them.  In Massachusetts it is legal for us to drive with an earbud in one ear but not in both ears.  Here’s what the State Police said:

First responders, including law enforcement and fire and rescue crews, use their emergency lights and sirens to safely navigate the roadways when responding to emergencies. During daylight hours, flashing emergency lights may not be seen as easily as at nighttime, and the only way to for an operator to be warned of the emergency vehicle is from a siren. The concern is the wail from a siren can be drowned out by an operator wearing headphones in both of their ears…

Additionally vehicles registered in Massachusetts are required to get a safety inspection and part of that inspection requires the horn to be in good working order. The horn, when properly used, is a safety signal device used to warn operators of possible collisions and hazards posed from other vehicles or objects in the roadway. The wearing of headphones removes the effectiveness of those warnings, further leaving a driver oblivious of a dangerous situation.

So be aware.  If a police officer sees you wearing earbuds you could be stopped.

-Jon Cotton is a creator of Bostontourguide.org