Congrats, Glendale: One of The Nation's Worst Driving Cities

(Graphic via the Glendale News-Press)

We're No. 1! No. 1 for the worst drivers in California! We're No. 1!

I'm referring to Glendale, of course. This is why we ride our bikes on the sidewalk in G-Town. We want to live.

Glendale is also the fifth worst city in the NATION when it comes to driving. Of the 194 cities surveyed by Allstate insurance, only Hileah, Fla., Providence, R.I., Baltimore and Washington, D.C., are worse. But I'm sure with a little bit more, Glendale can easily be the worst driving city in the USA.

The Glendale News-Press spells it out:

Drivers in Glendale are roughly 76% more likely to be involved in a collision than the national average, making them some of the worst motorists nationwide, according to a new insurance report.

For the ninth year in row, Glendale ranked near the bottom of the Allstate Insurance Co.’s “America's Best Drivers” report, which includes 194 of the country’s largest cities. And Glendale ranked last among cities in California for having the worst drivers.

GLENDALE! GLENDALE! GLENDALE!

Retro Friday: 1940s Los Angeles, In Color

Some early L.A. color finds from the Vintage L.A. and Lost Los Angeles YouTube channels, culled from various film clip libraries.


"Civic Center in the 1940s"


"Driving in LA, 1940s style"


"Grand Hollywood of the 1940s"


"The Southland Style 1940s"


"Sunset Strip in the 1940s"

The Most Confusing Los Angeles Parking Signs Yet

Spotted on Wilshire Boulevard. I dare you to figure out how and when to park here. (I managed to, having found this spot at 7:30 p.m. on a Wednesday -- and left without a ticket!)

Retro Friday: GM's Futuristic Vision of Driving... in 1976

Futuristic predictions are always amusing, particularly when they're geared toward the not-so-distant future. I love this 1956 GM film, created for a Motorama exhibit, imagining a space age-y 1976. Of course, most of this technology is now here (well, except for auto pilot -- although testing is ongoing) and a lot less complicated. But it took a few more decades.

Retro Friday: 1950s-Era Carmageddon

We complain now about the traffic... but if this circa-1950s video of the 110 freeway (then known just as the "11") is any indication, things were pretty tight back then too. Call it "Carmageddon, '50s Style."

Passing the $4 Gas Threshold

Remember the late 1990s, when gas would occasionally drop below $1 a gallon? There were times when I could fill my entire tank for under $12.

Now, $12 won't even get you quite three gallons. $50 to fill my tank? Sigh.

The Days of Parking for Free at a Busted Meter Are Ending

This past Sunday in downtown, we took advantage of a little-known parking tip: It's OK to park at yellow "loading zone" spots after 6 p.m. and all day Sunday.

Pretty handy. And it may come in even more handy now that L.A. is putting a stop to free parking at busted meters.

Sigh -- it's true. As LAist reports, LADOT is putting stickers up on new meters, warning motorists to either pay through multiple means -- or find another spot. Couple that with the number of pay stations that are replacing meters around town, and the days of scoring a free meter may soon be over.

LAist writes:

f the coin slot is jammed, pay with a credit card. If the credit card swipe won't register, pay with coins. If both don't work, too bad, find another space.

"If you are unable to pay using either the credit/debit card function or cash, you need to move to another parking space," explained LADOT spokesperson Bruce Gillman. "We recommend people call the number on the meter, or simply 311, to report any problems."

The new policy is partly to discourage intentional vandalism that some people have done in the past to park for free.

At least we still have you, Yellow Loading Zone.

Chronicling California's Early Traffic Signs

I've stumbled across another obscure yet wonderful California history site: CalTrafficSigns.com.

The site celebrates the old traffic signs "erected from 1920 to 1960 by the Automobile Club of Southern California (ACSC), the California State Automobile Association (CSAA) and the State Division of Highways (now Caltrans)."

That includes photos of those old signs, which the webmaster has been collecting for 30 years.

"Oprah" Comes to Los Feliz's John Marshall High

As part of "No Phone Zone Day," Friday's live episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" will include segments from five "viewing parties" across the country, including here in Los Angeles. "Oprah" show correspondent Lisa Ling will host the L.A. segment at John Marshall High School, where "American Idol" winner Kris Allen and finalist Allison Iraheta will appear. (Oprah herself won't be in Los Angeles.)

Winfrey is joining with traffic safety organizations, law enforcement agencies, federal and state transportation and highway safety offices, advocacy groups and others to promote the national "No Phone Zone Day" -- which asks motorists to simply put down the phone when they're behind the wheel.

Help a Franklin Avenue Reader Out: Driving Advice

A reader writes in:

May I ask if you know of any source or website that gives suggestions about driving from Los Feliz to the Westside - specifically, Culver City?

Thank you very much!
Claudia

Why Claudia, yes you may. Everyone has a different shortcut they use to get from East to West (or from West to East, but that's a whole different headache). From Los Feliz, I would take Sunset to Wilton, head South until you hit 6th St., then head west until you get to Hauser. Then, in your case, you'd want to take Hauser until you reach Venice -- then head West to Culver City.

That's just one of hundreds of possibilities. Post your route below!

Even California Drivers Licenses Aren't Immune to Budget Cuts

I recently visited the DMV to renew my drivers license in person for the first time since 1996. (Apparently it dawned on them that I don't look 22 anymore... and I sure as hells aren't 155 pounds anymore.)

The license arrived in the mail today... and it's flimsy. Much thinner laminated card stock is now being used by the state for licenses, compared to the last one I received several years ago. My punch card from Baja Fresh (I'm sooo close to a free entree!) is more durable than this new license.

But alas, it's just the sign of the times. Check out your Newsweek or Entertainment Weekly -- thinner paper stock. Newspapers are smaller. Everyone's saving money by cutting back.

Conan Comes to Los Angeles: Third Time's a Charm at the DMV

New "Tonight Show" host Conan O'Brien noted Tuesday night that he had to apply for a California driver's license the moment he got off the plane. So O'Brien headed to the DMV, took a license photo... and then was told that he could do better.

Yep, he was given a photo do-over. Twice. This impressed O'Brien, who hadn't been given the same courtesy in New York -- which is why his driver's license from the Empire State looked like this:



Note in the California license that O'Brien is an organ donor. (Not to mention the fact that he's a slim 180 pounds at 6-foot-4.)

Advice on Where to Road Trip in Southern California

The California Travel and Tourism Commission has come out with its latest guide to road trips throughout the state -- check out the 2009 California Drive Guide. If you're hurting for places to check out nearby, you oughta take a look at this.



Meanwhile, the California Travel and Tourism group also boasts a new list of summer deals to be had throughout the state.

Roster includes a "Sun, Sea, Save Promotion" through Santa Monica, where local hotels are offering a ‘Book Two Nights, Get the Third Night Free’ promotion. Deal includes a Carousel ride, a Ferris Wheel ride, a bike rental and a fare card from Big Blue Bus.

Deals also include Universal Studios, Long Beach, Six Flags Magic Mountain and more.

The Northbound 110 to 5 Freeway Transition: Soon To Get a Bit Less Hairy

(Flickr pic by Atwater Village Newbie.)

Driving north on the 110 past downtown, you may have noticed the new signage over the Figueroa tunnels. A new electronic sign has been added over the No. 2 lane, and will be used to signal when that additional lane can be used for drivers looking to transition to the north 5.

That means, as seen above, soon both of those two lanes on the left will be occasionally be used for motorists hopping on the 5. Will that cause more confusion? I dunno.

But I still think it's about time. As we wrote last year, "There aren't many freeway interchanges that are more nervewracking then the northbound 110 switchover to the northbound 5. It's usually touch and go up the 110, and it's always a gamble to decide when to merge into the far left lane. Too soon, and you're stuck in the slow line to the 5. Wait too long, and you might miss the turn."

Check out a brief history of the 110 -- once known as the Arroyo Seco Parkway -- here.

La Brea's Car-Eating Trench

(Flickr pic by Daryl Furr.)

Car-eating trench on La Brea? Franklin Avenue reader Gerry emails:

For a week or so the city has been digging on La Brea, and today they removed the large metal plates and unveiled their masterpiece: a car-destroying trench. I drive a compact Toyota and I thought my car was being turned into rubble. Maybe someone else drove down La Brea and also almost had their car compacted? Let the city know what a great job they did!

Have any of you encountered the La Brea Trench?

Last Week for the Vehicle-Free DWP Festival of Lights

This year, the DWP wisely extended the car-free portion of its annual Festival of Lights in Griffith Park through Dec. 7 -- hopefully a prelude to an inevitable decision to keep the cars out all together.

Maria and Evan met up with his cousin this weekend to walk the route (I had to pass -- I tore something in my foot during the Great Los Angeles Walk, and am currently limping), and all agree that it's the way to go. It's better exercise, you're not breathing in car fumes, and you're actually outside, experiencing the lights and the whole community vibe. (You don't get any of that while in the car, waiting 3-plus hours to drive through what's ultimately a pretty mediocre collection of lights.)

The cars return on Dec. 8, but you can still walk on the pathways after that. Parking for walkers can be found at the L.A. Zoo, or at the parking lots near the Merry-Go-Round. The route is a full mile (about 30 minutes).

The Festival of Lights continues until Dec. 30. Meanwhile, the DWP will hold a mini-fair on Dec. 5, 6 and 7, "featuring information on family activities, healthy nutrition, as well as some tasty treats."

C'mon, Los Angeles, Fix Your Slovenly Ways

Twice in two days now, I've been driving behind someone who -- at a stop sign or stop light -- tossed their garbage right onto the street.

Yesterday, it was a car full of punk ass teens throwing their empty soda bottles out the window. Today, it was a business man IN A BMW!! who opened up his car door while idling at a stop light, and SET HIS STYROFOAM CONTAINER ON THE STREET next to his car, before driving off!

People, it's 2008. That's just not how we do things. The world is not your trash can. Ideally, you oughta be recycling that bottle. But for starters, how about not slamming your refuse in the streets? Thanks.

Conflicting Messages for Motorists out of Sacramento

Let's get this straight:

The Governatorhas signed a bill outlawing texting or reading your wireless device while driving:

He signed legislation banning drivers from sending, writing or reading messages on electronic devices starting in January.

Two months ago, drivers were barred from talking on cell phones except with hands-free devices.

“Building on legislation already helping save lives in California,” said Schwarzenegger in a press release, “I am happy to sign this bill because it further encourages safe and responsible driving.”

The bill, SB 28 by Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), imposes a $20 fine for a first offense and $50 fine for each subsequent violation.

We're all guilty of doing this -- well, I, ahem, have been known to check my email on the road. BUT, always at a red light. Does this outlaw that too? I guess it's hard to make a distinction between driving while texting and idling while texting. And I reluctantly agree, this is a good idea, and will prevent many a fender bender.

So....

It's mighty confusing to read that state legislators are mulling a plan that would cause bigtime freeway distractions, cause traffic jams and perhaps even accidents.

The difference: The Driving-While-Texting industry doesn't have much sway in Sacramento. The outdoor advertising industry, on the other hand, has become BFFs with lawmakers in recent years.



In this case, outdoor advertisers have proposed new, colorful LED freeway signs. The catch? They want to use the billboards for advertising in between Amber Alerts and Caltrans messages. The skinny:

The money-making scheme, already broached to federal officials who allocate highway funds, would allow businesses to post ads on California's 674 electronic roadside message boards.

State officials figure the cash-strapped highway fund could make millions by allowing ads when the signs are not in use for emergencies.

But some traffic safety advocates say the potential revenue is not worth the costs of tempting drivers to take their eyes off the road.

"The biggest issue with digital billboards is they are enormously distracting to motorists," said Kevin E. Fry, a traffic safety advocate and longtime billboard opponent.

Others express concern that ads would add visual blight and change the purpose of a system meant to save children and help drivers.

The idea for the signs came from Clear Channel Outdoor, a billboard company that potentially stands to gain from the proposal.

Aha, Clear Channel. Why am I not surprised?

Carpool Lanes Take Their Toll

The LA Times' Bottleneck Blog notes that toll lanes are one step closer to reality in Los Angeles County:

The California Transportation Commission just unanimously approved the plan in Los Angeles County to convert the carpool lanes on parts of the 10, 110 and possibly the 210 freeways to toll lanes.

The plan now goes to the state Legislature. What do you think? Would you pay extra for the opportunity to use the toll lanes?

The 110/5 Freeway Interchange: Now More Dangerous

(Flickr pic by Popvulture.)

There aren't many freeway interchanges that are more nervewracking then the northbound 110 switchover to the northbound 5. It's usually touch and go up the 110, and it's always a gamble to decide when to merge into the far left lane. Too soon, and you're stuck in the slow line to the 5. Wait too long, and you might miss the turn.

In the past, my strategy was simple: Continue in the middle lane until you saw the flashing lights, warning drivers to slow to 30 mph while turning onto the 5. Once I saw those lights, I knew it was time to make my way over. Kinda uncool, I know. But I wasn't big on the alternative -- creeping along the left-hand lane from downtown.

The lights, however, have stopped flashing in recent weeks. The first time, I almost missed the transition -- but luckily, noticed the lack of lights just in time. Someone else isn't going to be as lucky.


(Flickr pic by Cpomeara.)

Above, viewing the transition while facing South. What would you say is the most dangerous freeway transition in L.A.?