Travel ban first in MA since Blizzard of '78

BOSTON (WWLP) - In the first move of its kind in 35 years, Governor Deval Patrick has declared a state of emergency and a driving ban on all passenger cars in Massachusetts.

As of 4:00 P.M., no cars are allowed to be moving on the roads or parked on city streets (with the exception of those being used in essential services.)  Vehicles must all go in driveways, garages, or underground.  All schools, community centers and libraries in Boston are closed.  Several cars were still seen driving before 4:00, making last-minute trips before accumulating snow made it too dangerous to be on the road.

“The only reason why I went out was my little one had a medical emergency, I just came back from the emergency room.  I'm going to get it to the garage as soon as possible,” Ted Killory of Boston said.

“The road is very slippery, and you can't see the marks on the street and the signs,” Juan Mercado of Boston said.

The last time a driving ban was declared was during the Blizzard of '78 when then- Governor Michael Dukakis ordered all passenger cars off the road, except those operated by police, firefighters, medical, and media personnel.