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 Weinstein 
Newsgroups: 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--