More New Jersey Driving Tips

I have mentioned before (as early as April 2012) that driving in New Jersey is not for the faint-of-heart. And it actually requires paying attention, unlike in Utah or other states with straight roads and no traffic.

For example, turning left. It shouldn't be all that hard. You signal your intention, you wait for a break in traffic, and you gosh, gee, turn left.

This simple procedure seems to escape many drivers here in our little, but densely-packed state. And, due to roads designed during the Revolution, there isn't room for too many left-turning lanes, so signaling your intention is pretty important. When you are innocently hanging out behind someone at a red light, the light turns green, and THEN they decide to turn their signal on, it is perfectly acceptable to jump out of your car and shoot them. 

My Sainted wife has lived here for 30 years and still won't tackle that part of Rt. 22 that has stores on both sides of the highway as well as in the island separating the opposing lanes of traffic. Into this fun mix are thrown U-turn lanes AND the Jersey shortcut of speeding through any handy parking lot in the island to make your U-ey. This marvel of the "toss your hands in the air and hope for the best" principle of traffic engineering has to be experienced to be believed.

In these challenging driving moments, you are tempted to just close your eyes and hit the gas. It must work - I've noticed that's what everyone does in Massachusetts.