Anyone fron Fairfield, NJ?

04/30/2003 | Diane M. Anderson

[Rander7]

We recently traveled to the NYC area...a bus left us off on the opposite side of a fourlane highway at our hotel, after ( we were five adults and two sleeping kids) getting back at 11PM Friday evening..we made it across to the median and when we crossed the final twolanes, my son-in-law dropped his camera..I went to go get it and stumbled and fell..cars did not slow down ..I missed gettin g run over by a foot & a half..I've torn my rotar cuff in my shoulder a nd got a concussion and a cut over the eye..there was no mercy by the driver..I was visible with a white jacket on..but he/she never slowed down..just honked the horn...is this normal for NJ drivers?

[wideawake]

I'm not sure where you're from, but most New Jerseyans consider someone trying to cross a highway to be either very reckless or insane.

Which road were you trying to cross, exactly?

Most highways in NJ have walkable overpasses every quarter mile or so - most New Jerseyans use these instead of trying to run across a highway in the dark.

[alisasny]

I would say its normal for that particular person and the rest of the area drivers should not be so harshly judged.

[annyokie]

It is normal for NJ drivers. I almost got killed at a toll booth several years ago while stooping out of a stopped car AT THE TOLL BOOTH, to pick up my child's pacifier that he had tossed out the window.

I hope you are okay.

[MineralMan]

"We recently traveled to the NYC area...a bus left us off on the opposite side of a fourlane highway at our hotel, after ( we were five adults and two sleeping kids) getting back at 11PM Friday evening..we made it across to the median and when we crossed the final twolanes, my son-in-law dropped his camera..I went to go get it and stumbled and fell..cars did not slow down ..I missed gettin g run over by a foot & a half..I've torn my rotar cuff in my shoulder a nd got a concussion and a cut over the eye..there was no mercy by the driver..I was visible with a white jacket on..but he/she never slowed down..just honked the horn...is this normal for NJ drivers?"

Were you crossing at a marked pedestrian crossing or away from one? How far away was the nearest traffic signal, if you were not at one?

[alisasny]

Doesnt NJ have all those weird entrance and exits from the highway?

[wideawake]

You should also consider the possibility that a driver who slows down on a highway may get rear-ended into a fatal accident.

If I had a truck behind me on the Garden State Parkway and my baby daughter in my backseat, and someone ran onto the highway in front of me I wouldn't touch my brakes.

[dead]

Yes, here in New Jersey we try to run people over.

We just like killing strangers is all.

[wideawake]

NJ has the exact same kind of entrances and exits for highways that NY does.

Maybe you're thinking of the jughandle turns on the state roads.

[scab4faa]

NO! this is not normal,

They missed you.

[Swanks]

Fairfield. The airport tha JFK Jr left from is Fairfield. So you must be on Route 46 eh? (What Exit?)

Don't be offended - no one expects to see people crossing major highways. By time they realize what's going on, 'badd-a-bing' ya brains are splattered all over your nice Ivy league suit.

[wideawake]

The background of the picture on your about page looks exactly like the Jersey Shore, specifically the Long Beach Island and Mantoloking/Point Pleasant areas.

[alisasny]

I am thinking that every turn onto another road has to be a right turn around a circle...perhaps she was near one of those?

We do not have them on Long Island.

[annyokie]

It is Stone Harbor, above Cape May. A beautiful place.

[alisasny]

Mean, but gave me a laugh LOL

[Rander7]

we were told later that there was an over pass down the road, but being from out of town, never having been there before, and being dark out we didn't know about the overpass..also we were carrying kids, cameras, packages etc.My two grandkids were sleeping..I'll be ok ...thanks!

[DD938]

I work in Fairfield NJ and I'm betting that you tried to cross Route 46 (a known death trap). Most people don't drive the 50 mph highway at 50.......it's more like 65 or 70. I put a thousand miles per week on my truck on NJ highways and all I can tell you is be Carefull!!! NJ is one of the most dangerous states to drive in ....let alone cross one of its highways.

[MineralMan]

"we were told later that there was an over pass down the road, but being from out of town, never having been there before, and being dark out we didn't know about the overpass..also we were carrying kids, cameras, packages etc.My two grandkids were sleeping..I'll be ok ...thanks!
"

I'm glad you're OK. But, you should have asked the bus driver where a safe place to cross was. Actually, the bus should have not let you off at an unsafe place. If there's anyone at fault, it's the bus driver.

[wideawake]

Yup. Those are the jughandles on the state roads (Rts. 1,9, 35, 36, etc.)

Long Island is different - using turning lanes, usually.

Both systems are superior to those frustrating traffic circles all over New England.

[wideawake]

The Cape May area is excellent. I love the Jersey Shore.