Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version Vortex 1.0 6/6/83; site vortex.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!vortex!lauren From: Lauren WeinsteinNewsgroups: net.flame Subject: Driving (and walking) in L.A. Message-ID: <91@vortex.UUCP> Date: Thu, 11-Aug-83 00:19:26 EDT Article-I.D.: vortex.91 Posted: Thu Aug 11 00:19:26 1983 Date-Received: Sat, 6-Aug-83 03:45:47 EDT Organization: Vortex Technology, Los Angeles Lines: 53 Greetings. In all of my years living here in L.A., I've only once or twice seen some idiot walk out into the street and expect traffic to stop for them. In one case the guy was obviously drunk or drugged out of his mind -- in the other he was carrying a suitcase -- so he probably still thought he was back East! I still remember the time I let Andy T. (floyd!trb) drive me through NYC. We were sitting at a red light and he was praying under his breath that the light would turn green before some derelict came over and demanded money for cleaning his windshield. I had never seen anything like that before in my life. --- Just for the sake of equal time, here are some rules for driving (and walking) in Los Angeles. (Yes, "some people walk in L.A...") 1) Red lights mean STOP. Yellow means proceed through the intersection if you've already entered or will have entered within a second or two. 2) NEVER attempt to make left turns immediately after a light turns green when there is opposing traffic. All such left turns should be made at the end of the light cycle when the light turns yellow/red. Traffic waits for several seconds after the light changes to give all cars who are already in the intersection (and often even a few more) adequate time to complete their turns. Attempting to rush through at the beginning of a cycle may be fatal since it is unexpected by traffic and pedestrians. 3) Pedestrians are required to obey traffic signals. Even when no traffic is obvious, traffic signals are generally obeyed by pedestrians. Autos *expect* this behavior, and treating signals with the same attitude common in NYC, for example, could be very dangerous in L.A. Oh yeah, the LAPD frequently gives tickets to pedestrians. I'm not claiming that this is a great use of police personpower, however. 4) If you have to merge into a busy lane, DON'T FORCE IT. The waiting time for someone to let you in is generally no more than 30 seconds or so. After someone lets you in, the standard protocol is to give them a little wave to acknowledge their action. 5) Turn signals should be used whenever you're planning to make a turn. They should also be used to signal lane changes when there's enough time to do so. 6) If you're going to drive at 55 on the Freeways, stay in the right-hand lane at all times. Any other action may result in your being attacked by some little old lady who (literally) is from Pasadena. 7) You don't get bonus points for hitting pedestrians. --Lauren--