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GSP142
Citizen
Username: Gsp142
Post Number: 102
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 8:20 pm: | 
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Twice today I had situations where, a motorist was pulling out of a business to make a left turn, pulls halfway across the near lane in the road and just expects that the traffic in the far lane will just yield to the car in the middle of the road obstructing traffic. What if the car in the far lane can't stop in time, or has another motorist behind him or her that feels that following a car leaving more than 3 feet of space between it and the car in front of it is just an incredibly silly waste of perfectly good space.
Whatever happened to NOT pulling out into traffic until no traffic is coming in either direction for a long enough period of time to make the left turn safely? Is it just that everyone is in such an incredible rush that the extra few seconds would be just too much time to waste, or is it just selfishness, or is it that the driver is in need of a driver's ed refresher course? |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7295
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 8:28 pm: |
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Twice today: once in the crosswalk at Oakview and Valley Street (crossing Valley Street) and once in the crosswalk at the corner of Prospect and Oakview (crossing Prospect) a car tried to make a right hand turn through the intersection at the same time I was trying to cross the street on foot (Valley Street crossing was with the light). The Oakview to Valley Street driver floored it and made it through the intersection first while the Oakview to Prospect driver was nice enough to yield mid-turn once he realized I was in his path. Aren't cars stopped at the corner supposed to yield to pedestrians already in the cross walk before making their right hand turns? |
GSP142
Citizen
Username: Gsp142
Post Number: 105
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 8:40 pm: |
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Joan, you are right about the rule. I saw a situation by Millburn High School where, a motorist was correctly yielding to students crossing Millburn Avenue (at a crosswalk), and another car, seeing that the students had already crossed part of the lane, passed the stopped car, just to get ahead of the stopped car, in front of which students were still crossing as they reached the sidewalk. No wonder our auto insurance rates are so high, and we see threads here so often asking about auto body shops. |
letters
Citizen
Username: Letters016
Post Number: 496
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 9:31 pm: |
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This must be a two-fer day. I'm backing up out of a parking space by the train station when I notice that another car is doing the same thing about three spaces from me (passenger side, to my rear). I figure it's no problem; we both will back up and proceed out. WRONG! Little Miss Impatient floors her car backwards, then slams it into drive because I guess her life is too important to wait a mili-second. She actually passed me between the front of my car and the parking space I just left. I was stunned, but I just figured it is another rude person in town and I should just let it go.
So I leave the parking lot and I no sooner get by Kings and ANOTHER car just backs out of a parking spot by the Bank of America. This guy didn't even look. Then he lays some rubber to get going, turns at the corner and almost, AND I DO MEAN ALMOST, wipes out a lady and her baby carriage.
What the heck is going on lately?
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GSP142
Citizen
Username: Gsp142
Post Number: 106
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 9:59 pm: |
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Well, I encountered three "bad driving" situations, so you'll each have to come up with another, lol.
Letters, I really think that driving while using cell phones is a contributing factor. I can't prove that cell phones were actually being used in any of the situations I encountered (and with some of the new "hands-free" system, you can't really tell), but it encourages multitasking and being distracted behind the wheel. To be a good defensive driver, in my opinion, one needs to have their entire focus and attention on what is going on while driving, particularly in local roads, where both turning vehicles and pedestrians are encountered.
I also think cell phone usage encourages self-absorbed behavior, which translates into less consideration and courtesy behind the wheel. I think the attitude behind the excessive and inappropriate cell phone usage spills over into other types of inconsiderate behavior.
Years ago, people had to wait to get to a destination to make a phone call, and civilization hardly crumbled. Maybe folks are just under too much stress and pressure, but that's not a good state of mind for good defensive driving, either.
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letters
Citizen
Username: Letters016
Post Number: 498
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 10:22 pm: |
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GSP,
I still think that the cell phone ban is just ridiculous politics. We already had laws to cover careless driving and the even worse reckless driving. Are we going to identify each individual distraction now and make it a law?
Shaving while driving.
Smoking while driving.
Changing the radio station while driving.
Putting make-up on while driving.
Picking your nose/ear/sleepies-out-of-your-eyes while driving.
Where does it end? Here's a thought. The police should just pull these jerks over and ticket them. I really do not care what they were doing that made them change 4 lanes in one move. Just give them a ticket.
I guess it is just reaching the breaking point for me. I hate rude people.
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Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3794
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 10:49 pm: |
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What were they driving? Just curious...
-s. |
GSP142
Citizen
Username: Gsp142
Post Number: 107
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 12:26 am: |
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Letters, I totally agree, sometimes lawmakers seem to pass laws because, well, that's what they do, which results in excessive lawmaking and inadequate enforcement, but yet it feels like an issue was addressed because a law was passed.
I still think that any cell phone conversation beyond the one or two minute "I'm running late" or "do you need anything from the store" type of call that doesn't require a lot of thinking is a potential distraction behind the wheel.
Soda, not sure who you were asking, but the passing vehicle on Millburn Ave. was one of those new Volvo vehicles that's a cross between a sedan and a SUV; the two left-turning cars were both sedans, so, no there's no SUV driver psychology figuring in here.
Off-topic, but with gas prices what they are, I wouldn't be surprised if SUVs become a lot less popular with all but the people who really need them and the extremely well-to-do. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7297
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 5:57 am: |
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Soda:
In my case the first vehicle was a sedan and the second was a commercial vehicle. Again no passenger SUV was involved. The first vehicle was red as I recall and the second was white with lettering giving the name of the company that owned it. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2647
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 6:57 am: |
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There are days when I wish there were only jitneys, bicycles and golf carts permitted in Maplewood, like some southern retirement village. Guess there's no chance....! |
letters
Citizen
Username: Letters016
Post Number: 505
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 9:01 am: |
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Soda,
I didn't pay attention to the type of cars they were driving. I can tell you that the first driver one was a late teens, early twenties girl and the second was a guy maybe around 30ish. I only saw him from behind so it was tough to judge. I can tell you that both were driving the smaller, sportier type cars, like a Nissan or something.
Why are you asking? And where were you around 4:30 last night? Det. Green and Det. Briscoe want to know.
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Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3799
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 10:46 am: |
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I was idly hoping for some cheap crossover validation for the "VW ad" thread, but I'll be happy to accept the "Sporty" and "red" designations in lieu of an actual Passat or Golf sighting.
-s.
BTW: Why isn't there a "Law & Order" Channel? |
letters
Citizen
Username: Letters016
Post Number: 510
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 11:35 am: |
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I thought TNT was the "Law & Order" channel. However, they can cancel and destroy all copies of the new version, IMHO. |
John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 191
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 11:50 am: |
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My favorite -- It was on '78 going into Newark about 7:30 a.m.
A woman was driving with one hand while balancing a bowl of (cereal?) with a spoon sticking out with the other hand.
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Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3802
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 11:54 am: |
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WHAT WAS SHE WEARING?
-s. |
John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 194
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 3:13 pm: |
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Blouse with some kind of white spots on it. |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3805
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 3:40 pm: |
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Hmmmm. Based on the detail of your description, I'd tend to say that you were driving while distracted too, John.
-s.
BTW: What were YOU wearing??? |
letters
Citizen
Username: Letters016
Post Number: 512
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 3:43 pm: |
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Maybe the next time you see her you can show her this...
http://www.theimpulsivebuy.com/wordpress/category/food/cereal/ |
TomR
Citizen
Username: Tomr
Post Number: 1065
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 4:23 pm: |
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I always wonder whence these people come.
Are they from Livingston? West Orange? Perhaps Milburn?
It certainly couldn't be local residents. Could it?
TomR |
Starletta8
Supporter
Username: Starletta8
Post Number: 163
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 6:24 pm: |
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This is touchy subject for me lately.
My father, while crossing legally, was hit by a car this week while on vacation.
Based on the location and speed of the car (my father's arm tore off his mirror), and the fact that it was a hit and run, the local police (this is out west) told my mother that this was likely yet another drunk driver in that location. One step slower and he wouldn't be with us. As it is, he's got some bad injuries- but he will recover. But any traumatic injury at 70+ with existing health issues is NOT a good thing.
For God's sake, people... slow down! That's someone's relative that you're putting in danger. |
John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 196
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 6:25 pm: |
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Soda, a good driver is supposed to pay attention to occurances all around his vehicle. This is done by giving quick glances in all directions and checking the mirrors.
In the course of following my driver training instructor's directions, I happened to glance at the driver with the cereal bowl and spots on her dress.
Consequently, rather than being a distracted driver, I was being a diligent one.
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CLK
Supporter
Username: Clkelley
Post Number: 2205
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 7:17 pm: |
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Starletta, that's terrible. I hope your dad is recovering well.
I have to wonder what is wrong with these people in such a rush - what's it for? What kind of damage are they doing to their cardiovascular systems, zooming in and out of traffic, tailgating people, etc. Such impatience has to be bad for you.
And of course, they're putting all the rest of us at terrible risk, as Starletta and her dad can verify. |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3809
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 8:11 pm: |
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John: You were taking a driving lesson at 7:30 AM on Rte 78? Omigod. My hat's off to you. You must really want to drive badly... I mean, you must very much want to get that license! Attaboy, John.
So let me share with you some quotes from Joe Cmaylo, my Driver's Ed teacher back in high school:
"Always leave yourself an out."
"Sometimes you have to speed up to drive defensively."
"Get the big picture."
"The most dangerous part of any car is the nut that holds the steering wheel."
"Hey, get a load of that brunette in the Barracuda! She's eating cereal!"
-s. |
GSP142
Citizen
Username: Gsp142
Post Number: 109
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 11:25 pm: |
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Starletta8, so sorry to hear about your father--I hope he makes a full recovery.
Speaking of driving lessons, I saw something a little scary on the road for the first time, on Millburn Avenue--a NJT bus with a big square "STUDENT DRIVER" sign on the back. I guess the drivers do have to practice before they actually start taking passengers (the bus was maneuvering to the curb at a bus stop), but if you think I'll get away from a student driver in a car as quickly as possible, I definitely want to stear clear of a student bus driver.
CLK, I agree that all of the aggressive driving probably does have some adverse health effects, at least on some people. Tailgating is an especially dangerous practice, because it eliminates the time and distance needed to react to a sudden situation that requires a stop or a sudden slow down--equally hazardous on local roads or at highway speeds.
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Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7308
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 4:37 pm: |
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Starletta8, I'm so very sorry to hear about your dad's accident. I hope he makes a full recovery very soon. If more of us were to realize that those are human beings driving the other cars on the road and on foot crossing the streets in front of us -- rather than just seeing them as objects -- I think we would all be a lot safer. |
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