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Message |
    
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 1446
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 9:42 am: | 
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How many threads about bad drivers can there possibly be??? The number is ever-growing, and my experience this morning forces me to add to it.
There I was, going down Parker Avenue at the speed limit, when all of sudden, a beige Honda Accord leaving Gleason's was headed right into my front end. I slammed on the horn and hit the brakes, but the guy did not stop. I continued to honk, but the guy did not even turn around, wave, apologize, or even appear to flinch.
He just cut me off!!! I was literally inches away from being hit!
Do people know that oncoming traffic has the right of way? When I was going down Parker, the road was clear. This idiot just jutted out into traffic at the last minute. Guess we are both lucky that I got my brakes in time, but that Honda Accord driver really needs to be more careful! Or NOT drive! |
Freshwater Films
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6024
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 9:48 am: |
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This town is full of idiot drivers. Similar thing happened to me this weekend in town with someone pulling out of a parking place in front Kings. She clearly hadn't bothered to look behind her and notice that my son and I were in the cross walk and the bithc almost run us both over and then got pissy at us for being in her way.
I feel sad for people like that. I miss manners. Plain simple "thank you" or "excuse me" or "I'm sorry" |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13092
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 11:36 am: |
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I think the drivers in South Orange and Maplewood are awful, and the only worse drivers are those outside our towns.
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The SLK Effect
Citizen
Username: Scrotisloknows
Post Number: 1124
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 12:19 pm: |
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With all the bad drivers I have experienced lately (especially this past weekend) I am seriously thinking about carrying two dozen eggs in my car and I wont be afraid to use them.... |
las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 1312
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 12:22 pm: |
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Ess! Omigosh! Are you okay? Did you spill your chai? |
Eats Shoots & Leaves
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 3138
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 12:49 pm: |
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SLK--make sure they are well protected so they don't break when you have to brake for a bad driver. |
Urbanretreat
Citizen
Username: Urbanretreat
Post Number: 23
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 2:14 pm: |
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I moved here 6 months ago from Washington DC area. I know it is trite, but New Jersey drivers are horrendous.
The green-light jumping is new to me. Maybe it is a product of delayed green signals, but I have never seen so many people consistently turn left on a just-turned green light in front of oncoming traffic.
When I moved here, my auto insurance jumped 20%. The USAA rep laughed when I questioned the increase and said New Jersey generally (but particularly Northern New Jersey) is subject to the highest rates in the country, save a few choice places. Maybe this is reflective of the state of driving in NJ.
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13107
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 2:22 pm: |
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The rates reflect the bad driving but they also reflect the road and car density. The two factors combine.
Would you believe that when I moved from Edison, NJ to Maplewood, NJ, my insurance just about doubled?
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Urbanretreat
Citizen
Username: Urbanretreat
Post Number: 24
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 2:23 pm: |
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I moved here 6 months ago from Washington DC area. I know it is trite, but New Jersey drivers are horrendous.
The green-light jumping is new to me. I have never seen so many people consistently turn left on a just-turned green light in front of oncoming traffic. A product of delayed green signals?
When I moved here, my auto insurance jumped 20%. The USAA rep laughed when I questioned the increase and said New Jersey generally (but particularly Northern New Jersey) is subject to the highest rates in the country, save a few choice places. Maybe this reflects the state of driving in NJ.
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Urbanretreat
Citizen
Username: Urbanretreat
Post Number: 25
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 2:24 pm: |
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sorry for the double post |
WendyP
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3324
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 2:25 pm: |
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Don't think the cost of insurance in NJ has anything to do with the way folks drive. |
Urbanretreat
Citizen
Username: Urbanretreat
Post Number: 26
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 2:38 pm: |
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A higher accident rate would presumably result in higher insurance rates. A higher accident rate could have as one cause bad/aggressive drivers. I guess Tom's point shows that it is more complex than bad driving, but it is more therapeutic for me to mindlessly rage against New Jersey drivers. |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 1454
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 3:00 pm: |
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No, rage against NJ drivers is not mindless. I learned to drive in this state and have been driving here over half my life.
They (we?) are a breed unto themselves. There are some exceptions -- like the people who are cognizant of other drivers, and who are courteous -- but for the most part, NJ is riddled with nutjobs on the road. These nutjobs make those of us who try to be careful and safe have a much harder job.
And Las -- nope, didn't spill a drop!  |
Ms. Cooper
Citizen
Username: Ms_cooper
Post Number: 63
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 3:02 pm: |
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This one has probably been posted a dozen or so times but it was the first time it happened to me: Driving on Wyoming at night going maybe one or two mph over the speed limit. Guy on my tail/ up my a** to the point where I cannot see his headlights in my rearview mirror. All of a sudden he peels out from behind me, crosses the double line, and speeds out in front of me. I was so jarred by his speed and jerky (literally) maneuver that my heart started pounding. Wow. What a tool. Expensive car too--maybe it was stolen hence the hasty getaway. Who knows?
Meanwhile, while those scofflaws are speeding into obscurity, I'm the one who get's stopped for a burned out tail light. I give up... |
blackcat
Citizen
Username: Blackcat
Post Number: 514
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 4:02 pm: |
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Anyone else notice the trend while waiting at a red light, driver pulls next to you ont he right-making a new lane whch doesn't exist-just so they can pull out in front of you when the light turns green. I noticed this while driving through Newark. Also happened this morning also on Springfield Ave.
Wouldn't that be considered passing on the right? Or does the other driver just assume that you won't move fast enough for them when the light turns green? |
las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 1323
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 4:08 pm: |
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ess, did you take that Defensively Driving with Hot Chai course through MVS? Is that how you avoided an accident this morning? I'm thinking of taking Defensive Driving and Cell Phones: Why Can't We All Just Talk? the next time it's offered. |
growler
Citizen
Username: Growler
Post Number: 921
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 5:05 pm: |
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Should have hit him and then sued him. Then you could have bought an H3 and no one would consider pulling out in front of you again.
just kidding |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3637
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 9:30 pm: |
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Top 10 Worst Drivers, By State
10) NY: State Motto: "We hit what we aim at..."
9) CA: Just too distracted by my phone, radio, dvd, reloading...
8) FL: Geriatrics behind the wheel...
7) MI: Auto-Inferiority breeds ultra competitiveness on the road...
6) TX: Macho sh*theads...
5) LA: Drunks...
4) PA: So lame they make everybody else crazy...
3) CT: Spoiled & entitled...
2) NJ: Nice people doing stoopid things...
... AND THE STATE WITH THE WORST DRIVERS:
MA!!!: Simply a state full of imbeciles...
 -s.
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Freshwater Films
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6039
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 8:03 am: |
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I learned to drive in Boston and no where, and I mean NO WHERE, is worse. While drivers around here suck, they are definately not the worst drivers I have ever encountered. Perhaps the most self indulgent, but not worst. |
WendyP
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3346
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 10:11 am: |
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Considering a good majority of folks who live around here are transplants from somewhere else, case in point Duncan Rogers who's originally from MA, Tom Reingold who's from NYC, and numerous others, do we really think it's accurate or fair to blame everything on NJ Drivers?
I only ask because I am actually a NJ Driver, have been driving here since the legal age of 17, and I don't do any of the things NJ drivers are constantly accused of doing or not doing, whatever the case may be! |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13137
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 10:25 am: |
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Then you're the exception that proves the rule.
To be fair, NJ drivers are really metro NYC are drivers. Does that make it any better?
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WendyP
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3349
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 10:30 am: |
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To be fair, NJ or NYC Metro drivers are really, originally MA, NY, PA, TX, CA, British, Yugoslavian or where-ever-else drivers!
How about if we just say that, apparently, there are a lot of really lousy, selfish, ignorant, thoughtless drivers, period. |
Jhcmom
Citizen
Username: Jhcmom
Post Number: 48
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 12:35 pm: |
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We not only have some bad drivers here but they can't read too! What is with the drivers in town making a LEFT turn into a parking spot on Maplewood Ave. Most of the time in front of the NO LEFT TURN sign? That infuriates me! |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1779
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 12:46 pm: |
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JHCmom:
Drivers will do it if the prohibition isn't enforced.
A couple of stops by the MPD of drivers violating the reg will spread the word that MPD takes it seriously enough. |
WendyP
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3364
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 1:05 pm: |
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When I was brand new in town and didn't know any better I did this. Once!
Cop was all over me like white on rice. Never done it again! |
hch
Citizen
Username: Hch
Post Number: 227
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 1:46 pm: |
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High cost of insurance is also due to high rate of car theft (think Newark), high rate of fraud, and lawsuits. This why there is now a no "lawsuit" option on your insurance which will lower your rates. |
themp
Supporter
Username: Themp
Post Number: 2697
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 4:18 pm: |
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Driving isn't that regionally different.
Drive defensively. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6059
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 12:11 pm: |
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themp...actually it is.
If you drive in upstate Vermont, even in what purports to be a major city, like Burlington, you will not get the trouble you get around here. Same goes for the midwest.
But you are right, DRIVE DEFENSIVELY |
dawny
Citizen
Username: Day
Post Number: 49
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 1:18 pm: |
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Soda and Freshwater are right. MA drivers are the absolute worst (although I'm not sure I agree w/ Soda's assessment of the Commonwealth as being a state full of imbeciles). Having driven for many years in both states, NJ drivers are downright courteous compared to MA drivers.
The ongoing joke about MA drivers is that if you run a red light in MA, be sure to watch out for the guy behind who just followed you through the intersection.
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Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3647
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 1:52 pm: |
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Dawny, you're right. I was too harsh in my description of MA residents. After all, many of them voted for McGovern...
Let's just say that anytime I see a car with MASS plates, I fully expect that within the next two minutes it'll do something ridiculous, stupid, moronic, inept, thoughtless, illegal, inconsiderate, or dangerous.
...And I'm rarely disappointed.
-s. |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 2656
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 3:40 pm: |
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There's a reason they're called massholes. |
Flameretardant
Citizen
Username: Flameretardant
Post Number: 11
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 1:27 pm: |
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Is that the same reason people in Massachusetts call drivers from New Jersey "incompetent lunatics who are best suited to cruising the parking lots of large shopping malls"?
*S* |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3651
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 2:23 pm: |
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Pardon me. Some innaccuracies there...
A) Many, many NJites are indeed incompetent, but oddly enough, most of the true lunatics are themselves highly skilled drivers... In fact, in most cases it is the driving of those incompetents that drove the lunatics over the edge to begin with. (Believe me, I should know.) and
2)You're new here, so maybe you're not aware: It's well-known that most parking lot cruising (at least here in Essex County) takes place in South Mountain Reservation. The folks you see driving aimlessly through our Mall parking lots are simply looking for the exit.
Happy motoring.
-s. |
Flameretardant
Citizen
Username: Flameretardant
Post Number: 12
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 2:53 pm: |
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Alas, I know whereof I speak. While relatively new to MOL, I'm certainly not new to Maplewood. Before that, I lived, worked, and drove in NYC and northern NJ for many years. And previously did the same in Boston, for more than a decade. |
Flameretardant
Citizen
Username: Flameretardant
Post Number: 13
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 3:16 pm: |
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P.S. By "cruising," I actually meant driving aimlessly ... not the type of cruising that takes place on the Reservation. |
Oldstone
Citizen
Username: Rogers4317
Post Number: 659
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 3:28 pm: |
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glad you cleared that up, flame. |
red
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 5181
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 5:55 pm: |
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With my job I have to do a lot of driving. I cannot tell you the amount of accidents I almost get in in one day with idiot drivers. Today on the Turnpike I had this guy go from the far left of the tolls cut across and almost slam into me had I not hit the breaks.
One of the reasons I think people drive so bad in NJ is there are NO ROAD SIGNS!! If you are going somewhere new, roads have different names, no signs, etc. |
sk8mom
Citizen
Username: Sk8mom
Post Number: 434
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 6:03 pm: |
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Ever drive on the freeway in Southern California? Ahhhh!!!!
Florida is frightening in its own way -- way too many "active seniors" who can't turn their head believe they can do just about anything so long as they go real, real slow.
As Dave Barry once said in his Florida driver's license test spoof, in Florida, if you have your left turn signal on, it means:
a. I am turning left.
b. My left turn signal is on.
c. I have a gun. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7179
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 9:17 am: |
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Some drivers are a bit like young children. When they move to a new area, they test the waters so to speak to see what they can get away with. Drivers in our area seem to be able to get away with a lot and this perpetuates and even escalates the number of inconsiderate drivers we have in our area. |
frannyfree
Citizen
Username: Frannyfree
Post Number: 178
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 9:18 am: |
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This is the only place where people backing out of parking spaces think they have the right of way. |
Cougar T & F
Citizen
Username: Speedyshady
Post Number: 17
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, April 2, 2006 - 3:58 pm: |
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What I reallycan't stand is when someone makes a left hand turn from the the far right side of a one-way street!
I also can't stand the people that sit there for aeons when they have a left turn arrow in their favor. They pull into the intersection and sit there as if someone is coming. NO! JUST GO! |
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