Years ago I damaged a muffler going over that ramp into West Grove strip mall near 7-11, outside the gates of Ocean Grove. After that I always drive slowly when exiting or entering that mall as if it were a speed bump. I have many times muttered about the incompetence of those who built that connection.
But now the new roadway, heading south on Rt 71 (Main St.) has been completed to the strip-mall entrance. And today I found perfection without danger at that place where the bottom of your car is usually at risk. That dangerous location has been leveled, and it is a pleasure now to go over it.
It’s the simple things in life which often delight us, and this will be one of them. My trip this morning, to and fro, was a highlight.
But there remains the problem of what to do when a vehicle leaves OG to turn left at the time when another leaves the strip mall hoping to go straight through to the Grove. The perpetual risk of collision at the intersection persists.
So, who has the right of way? Most drivers leaving town to turn left on Main Street will yield to the guy heading across from the mall to OG.
In my opinion, whoever enters the intersection first should have the right of way. Today I exited the mall to enter the Grove but I was cut off by a driver leaving OG in a hurry and turning left onto 71.
Since I was already into the intersection, I expected him to let me complete my trip, but instead he blew by right in front of me forcing me to stop short.
And the beat goes on at that precarious place….
ERYKAH BADU From Sex And the City 2 “Window Seat.” (Note Sex and the City2 is coming to HULU streaming)
“Concentrating on my music, lover, and my babies
Makes me wanna ask the lady for a ticket outta town
So can I get a window seat..”
Paul Goldfinger, Blogfinger Editor.
Sometimes the left turning vehicle does not yield, so we need to be careful over there and don’t trust anyone to yield. Approach that spot slowly.
It’s like those stop signs on Main Ave. in the Grove. A pedestrian cannot trust a driver to stop and let him pass. If you want to cross the street by one of those signs, assume that the driver won’t stop—unless he does. Then go.
NJ Motor Vehicle Statute 39:4-90 says, “Right of Way at Intersections: Drivers who are turning left must yield to oncoming traffic and traffic already present in the intersection.”