| Author |
Message |
    
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11128
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 5:43 am: | 
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I think it is more dangerous to drive on Route 22 than it is to take a Humvee tour of Baghdad.
Last Sunday we had two really scary experiences. First, we were eastbound in the middle lane approaching the Target store. A woman pulls out of one of the UTurns and then moves into our lane and slows to five MPH and then moves to the right lane to get into Target. She avoided death only by inches.
Second while Westbound near Nissan World a Volvo SUV pulls out of the center island and then STOPS in the left lane. Possibly the driver was waiting for someone behind her to pull into traffic. Again much brake noise, swerving and a very near accident.
When not backed up traffic moves quickly on Route 22, probably to quickly. However, these examples of what I consider poor driving were way over the top.
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thegoodsgt
Citizen
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 942
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 7:36 am: |
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I try to avoid Rt. 22, except for the Barnes & Noble, which can be accessed via Hillside. If you must drive Rt. 22, at least it isn't lined with IEDs. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2576
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 9:22 am: |
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Amongst my M/SO friends, I'm know as one who refuses to drive on Rte 22. It was a hellhole in the '60's and it's worse today. Given the median stores and the need for swift on/off, literally accidents waiting to happen. I refuse to play and go backways or Rte 10 instead. |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1477
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 9:26 am: |
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I agree Rte 10 is less dangerous than 22, but Rte 10 needs another lane on each side. Traffic Crrrrraaaawwwwwlllllssss on the weekends. I have patience for so many things in life, but I have to say slow-moving traffic just isn't one of them. |
finnegan
Supporter
Username: Finnegan
Post Number: 317
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 9:39 am: |
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BobK might be on to something...
"Worker discovers bomb from WWII along Rt. 22"
http://tinyurl.com/pspn7
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tjohn
Supporter
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 4185
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 9:44 am: |
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BobK,
Perhaps a Florida golf cart community would be right for you. 
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Georgie
Citizen
Username: Georgie
Post Number: 103
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 10:04 am: |
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How do you get to the B&N without going on Rt..22?
The only place I drive to on 22 is Costco because of the backroads. With a toddler I can't handle the stress.
As far as shopping I do most of it in Watchung off 78. It's worth the extra drive to have everything in one place (Target, Old Navy, Borders, Shop and Stop, AC Moore, what else could I need ;) ) |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11129
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 10:31 am: |
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Finnegan, now we can truly say Route 22 has everything!!!!!!
Tjohn, usually it doesn't bother me, especially since I had the twin 50s mounted in the roof rack of the urban assault vehicle (disguised to look like off road lights). However, Sunday was really bizzare, especially when the 50s jammed. I can't believe people would actually stop in a traffic lane on that road. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4677
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 10:56 am: |
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You can get to B&N by taking Miesel all the way out and turning left on Hillside. You can also get to the Best Buy complex without going on 22. From Miesel, turn left onto Milltown, then right at the T. You can then turn left into the back of the parking lot. Anything you can do to avoid the westbound section between the Parkway and Chestnut will add years to your life. |
Joe
Citizen
Username: Gonets
Post Number: 1200
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 11:01 am: |
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The idea of having retail space put on the center must have been dreamed up by an autobody shop with a lot of political muscle. How did such a design ever get past the drawing board let alone be brought to fruition? I’m among those who opt for Rt. 10 (even though it’s not a great option) rather than contend with 22. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2577
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 11:46 am: |
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LilB, I'm one of those types who goes shopping as early as possible on the weekends, or after 7 on week nights. I like driving up South Orange Avenue (the trees, etc.) On those occasions, I have no slowness issue with 10 for the most part. Plus, if I plan it right, I hit the very nice Pathmark there (why can't the SO one be so tidy?). I'm originally from a more "far suburban" town/state so 10 is more like what I can readily handle. I do go to places in Newark for certain things (Newark Tile, etc.) which is not at all a bad drive. |
kevin
Supporter
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 668
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 11:50 am: |
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I learned to drive on 22. My parents said that if I could handle 22, then I'd do fine anywhere else.
I find that driving in the city is comparable....The only difference is that there are tons of lights to break up the flow.
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Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1542
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 12:11 pm: |
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Tom, you can get to Best Buy complex an even easier way, by going on Vauxhall Road, and taking a right on Liberty Avenue, take the left into the Best Buy driveway right before you hit Rt 22.
22 is horrible ESPECIALLY on weekends and just this weekend, we watch IDIOTIC DRIVERS do stupid things. The most common driving mistake I see is that people who are U-turning, stop before entering the traffic and wait for their chance to enter. No problem so far. Then when an opening appears for them, the don't enter, instead they wait about 10 seconds deciding if they should go. They then FREAK OUT IN THEIR HEADS, and finally decide to go mere moments before the traffic catches up to them. In other words, they decide to go at the wrong time. Bad reaction time? Bad driving? All of the above. |
mickey
Citizen
Username: Mickey
Post Number: 421
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 12:35 pm: |
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Alley,
Your post is accurate, and it made me LOL. I am now visualizing someone FREAKING OUT IN THEIR HEAD!!! |
nur
Citizen
Username: Nur
Post Number: 195
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 10:21 pm: |
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rt. 22 is a historical classic, if u could dr. on rt 22 in drivers ed. at columbia u passed the test. 1962. |
Cougar T & F
Citizen
Username: Speedyshady
Post Number: 19
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 11:00 pm: |
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That U-Turn right before Target Greatland and those other stores needs to be shut down. The people who use it to gain access to that little shopping center are obviously oblivious (I've never placed or seen those two words next to each other before) drivers and do not know that there is another U-Turn about a half-mile down the stretch, which is actually safer to come out of. |
Guy
Supporter
Username: Vandalay
Post Number: 1718
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 8:39 am: |
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How come the good news about Rt. 22 never gets reported? |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3331
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 9:59 am: |
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Is there any?
I drive on Rt 22 and I guess I don't think it is as bad as some people seem to, but it certainly isn't one of my favorite things to do.
I do use Hillside to get to Barnes & Noble and also to get to the U-turn near there to go to Target. If I do need to get on the eastbound section just west of there, I go behind Computer City rather than down the access road next to it ... that makes that entrance much easier.
Also, the U-turn from east-bound to west-bound not far past Target and just next to Wendy's on the island adds a lane for the stretch to the next u-turn, so you don't have a merge there as you get onto the highway. Unfortunately, many people don't realize this and wait there needlessly, but this does make it easier than some of the other u-turns.
The more you drive it and find these "somewhat easier" places, the easier it is to deal with 22, I think.
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CLK
Supporter
Username: Clkelley
Post Number: 2123
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 10:05 am: |
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I really hate Rte 22, but not driving on it never struck me as a real option. The Rte 10 target is much farther away, and I think I hate Rte. 10 even more than 22, or at least just as much.
If it weren't for Target I wouldn't go to 22 though. Are there any real alternatives, other than the Rte 10 one? |
Lou
Citizen
Username: Flf
Post Number: 99
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 10:10 am: |
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...and what is the logic of making U-turns from/to the left lane?
Left lanes supposedly are the fast traffic lanes, it's already bad enough that drivers need to enter and exit on the left lane to use the stores in the center of the road, why not make all the U-turns exits and entrances on the right lane?
In so many small streets in various towns is illegal to make U-turns, without having to first exit on the right hand side, why isn't illegal to U-turn on the left on 22? |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 474
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 10:12 am: |
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the logic of making the U-turn from the left lane is that they can put a bunch of them on the road without having to build large, costly overpasses ..which they would have no room for anyway with all of the businuesses on that road already there. |
Gene Z
Citizen
Username: Genez
Post Number: 598
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 10:27 am: |
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Actually, very few people know this, but most Automobile Liability insurance policies written in NJ have an exclusion for accidents occurring in the "Suicide Alley" section of Route 22 (Union & Springfield). The rationale is that, since the likelihood of a accident occurring there approaches a near certainty, if you willfully drive on Rt 22, any "accident" is actually an "expected and intended" event. Therefore there is no coverage. This goes double on weekends and holidays.
Z
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Jennifer Pickett
Citizen
Username: Jpickett
Post Number: 191
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 10:51 am: |
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Gene, You have to be kidding, right? Someone please tell me Gene is kidding. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3334
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 10:55 am: |
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I hope that no one is making u-turns from any lane other than the left lane!
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Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 2780
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 11:46 am: |
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This might be the first time I have seen someone advocate the jughand approach that NJ takes to so many roads. Perhaps they can put in some lights to slow the traffic further so that these left and U turns from the right lane can be acomplished.
And I do not believe what Gene is saying is true. I'm pretty sure he's making a joke. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11140
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 11:47 am: |
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Actually Sac we have seen that also. People pull out of a store on the right side of the road and head directly (at a 90 degree angle) across the road for a u-turn or the parking lot of another store as brakes squeal and fists are extended out the window with only one digit held upright. |
Lou
Citizen
Username: Flf
Post Number: 101
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 2:14 pm: |
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I undertsand building overpasses are costly - then there could be 2 other options:
- go the european way of resolving that - with circles! All the traffic circulates on the same direction, you can virtually turn in any direction from a circle, makes it difficult for cars to drive too fast, and there's way less possibilities of accidents.
- traffic lights with left green arrows for the U-Turns.
But the way it is now it's just too dangerous and makes no sense to me.
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Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 478
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 2:48 pm: |
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Ok...you figure out how you would implement traffic lights on RT. 22 the place ALREADY CRAWLS...yeah right
and where would they piut circles? |
Psychomom
Citizen
Username: Psychomom
Post Number: 97
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 2:56 pm: |
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There is also a Target off the Parkway exit 135 in Clark.
Funny I don't mind Rt 22(probably because I've known it all my life) but the thought of driving in NYC terrifies me. |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 877
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 3:24 pm: |
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Psychomom-good to see you posting! ...That is a great Target in Clark and in the same place there is a Marshall's and a Payless....what more could a Target lover want??????
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kevin
Supporter
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 669
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 3:31 pm: |
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Rt. 22 has overpasses if you go outside of the Springfield/Union/stores in the middle area. Drive a bit East to Hillside or West to Watchung/Scotch Plains. There is one in Springfield where CompUSA is - but the "stores in the middle" has not started yet. There are also traffic lights on 22 West starting in Mountainside.
NJ is known for traffic circles....The closest ones include the Somerville circle at Rt 206 (where they built a flyover about 15 years ago). Watchung circle in the center of Watchung, as well as one in the middle of the Watchung Reservation. You can even find a mini one on Elmwynd Drive in Orange.
You might be surprised, but there are a lot of people who have no clue how to navigate a circle. You get some people going against the flow of traffic and not yielding while entering.
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11143
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 6:30 pm: |
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I thought NJ was trying to get rid of the traffic circles. Their was one in Freehold (I think) that was removed and I have the impression that the infamous Somerville circle is also on the way out. Maplewood, just to different has put mini circles in on Midland Boulevard to control speeding traffic and cross street issues. It seems to be working from what I can see.
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TomR
Citizen
Username: Tomr
Post Number: 1037
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 9:37 pm: |
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There's no problem with Route 22.
There is a problem with the people who drive on it.
That would be us.
#@$% New Jersey drivers.
TomR |
Montagnard
Citizen
Username: Montagnard
Post Number: 1929
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 9:51 pm: |
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Remember. Route 22 doesn't kill people, ... |
Scully
Citizen
Username: Scully
Post Number: 294
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 10:53 pm: |
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BobK:
And there's also that mini-mini
circle on Sloan st in front of
the firehouse. |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 485
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 11:44 pm: |
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and one in montrose...boy its fun to powerslide around that sucker. |
Cougar T & F
Citizen
Username: Speedyshady
Post Number: 24
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, April 6, 2006 - 12:17 am: |
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I have yet to witness an accident or see vehicles pulled over from collision on 22. Odd. But it is still crazy. |
CLK
Supporter
Username: Clkelley
Post Number: 2126
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 6, 2006 - 8:13 am: |
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I have seen at least 2 or 3 terrible accidents.
Sure, it's "us" the drivers who cause the problem. But it is possible for highways to be designed to facilitate good driving, or make bad driving more likely.
E.g. if you have a high-speed merge into the left lane, you need a long merge area to pick up speed. Those median stores are the most ridiculous idea - as are the U-turns with no merge area whatsoever. If you drive a sports car, fine - but practically any other car can't get up to speed fast enough to merge in - you're relying on the good will and attentiveness of the other drivers. (OK, that's where "we" are the problem, because so few people are either altruistic or attentive when driving on 22.)
Or the speed limit could be reduced substantially to allow slower merge-ins. I don't know what the speed limit is off the top of my head, but people drive fast on 22. Given the lack of merge areas, the speed limit shouldn't be above 35.
You need decent signage. E.g., that U-turn right before Target should have a sign "Target - take next U-turn" with an arrow pointing forward or something so that people aren't trying to scooch all the way over across three lanes of traffic to get to Target. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1589
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 6, 2006 - 9:06 am: |
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I saw one idjit at that Target u-turn cross all the lanes of traffic and actually go AGAINST the traffic so that he could hit the entrance closer to the Circuit City. TS and I were FLABBERGASTED at the stupidity. |
Gene Z
Citizen
Username: Genez
Post Number: 599
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 10:56 am: |
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J.P.
Yes, I was kidding, in a satirical way.
Inter-dimensional travel is the ONLY way to go.
Z
(SAC: U-Turns should only be made from the middle lane. That way you can turn either left or right. B-) |
Dobler88
Citizen
Username: Dobler88
Post Number: 104
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 10:55 am: |
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re the circles on midland and midland cross streets generally, what is stupid is that at some intersections there's a stop on midland, sometimes on the cross street. So people blow stop signs constantly! Then, of course, in the summer the median is so full of trees that it's very difficult to make a safe left off of midland. (but of course, I love the median and think the street is very pretty so I shouldn't complain too loudly).
re Route 22, I had never seen anything like it until I moved to NJ, and I hope I never see anything like it again. |
Lucy Smith
Citizen
Username: Lucy123
Post Number: 106
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 11:10 am: |
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you will never see anyone pulled over by a police officer on that section of rt. 22 for doing anything illegal. it was deemed too dangerous for an officer to conduct a traffic stop on that section and therefore they will not do it. this adds to the speeding and recklessness of most drivers since they will not get pulled over on the road for acting that way. i have seen some police officers follow the reckless drivers into the target/kinkos/autoland lots and then ticket, but never will they pull them onto the shoulder. if the a-hole doesn't pull into a business, they will not be ticketed. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1661
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 11:21 am: |
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Also, on Midland, at night it is sorta hard to see the roundabouts. So many people just drove straight across and knocked over the signs that alert you that go around the circle. Now with no sign, EVEN more people accidentally just drive straight through the circles. I guess they are a WICKED unmarked speed bump. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11188
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 12:08 pm: |
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Maybe we should bring a few Iraqi insurgents over to plant IED speed bumps in the circles. I think that would make people more polite. |
efull
Citizen
Username: Efull
Post Number: 14
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 2:21 pm: |
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Bob I had to think back to where I went on Rt. 22 on Sunay, because I could have been that lady.
That jug handle turn freaks me out! I hate it, but Ilove Target.
There almost seems to be a blind spot over there. Or maybe as my husdand and kids say.... I just can't drive worth *^%%()).
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11190
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 2:59 pm: |
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Were you driving a middle aged light colored compact? If so I think the Creator was protecting you so you could post good sense here on MOL this week. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1348
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 8:09 pm: |
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Don't know if anyone else said this, but what about the folks who cross rt. 22 on foot?! Talk about crazy...
Georgie - I'll show you the way to B&N sometime - it's easy! |
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