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.?

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.?

Ponch Reminds You: Drop That Cell Phone

With the California hands-free cell phone rule taking effect on July 1, time’s running out to figure out how to keep gabbing away in your car. (Remind me to avoid you on the road, btw.)

Erik Estrada to the rescue. He’ll be at the Petersen Automotive Museum this Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. as LG passes out free Bluetooth headsets.

The big question: Are you going to see Ponch and scoring a free headset in the process, or going for the free headset but catching a bonus glimpse of Erik Estrada? It’s quite the winning combination.

CHP to You: Drop Your Phone!

If you hit the freeways this weekend (despite that $4.40/gallon gas), you probably encountered this message from the CHP. Guess they can’t say they didn’t warn us.

What’s This? A Positive DMV Experience?

So we settled on a car — thanks to all of you who offered comments. Given the crappy economy and our desire to avoid car payments, we went ahead and went the used Honda CR-V route. So far, so good.

Now, to take over the car’s title, I had to make that dreaded visit to the DMV last Friday. Here’s the biggest shocker: It was not an entirely unpleasant experience.

That’s mostly because of the brand spanking new West Hollywood location, which just opened this spring.

The building is unlike any DMV you’ve seen: Bright, airy, functional. The rotating sign outside teases you into thinking you’re actually entering a fun store. Which, of course, you’re not. Particularly once you’re forced to bust open your checkbook. Ridiculous fees, of course, exist no matter how stylish the DMV.

More on the building:

Refurbishing a 1946 service garage, Shlemmer + Algaze +Associates Interiors and Architecture took the opportunity to create a building with a look-and-feel that is a throwback to the past. Using the attributes of the original structure, contractors were able to utilize the abundance of day lighting already streaming through the building minimizing the need for electricity. Other aspects of energy conservation efforts include state of the art heating and cooling equipment as well as a “cool roof” that deflects 70 percent of radiant sun energy.

I only had to wait about 18 minutes for my turn. Not bad… but then again, I’d signed up for a 9:30 appointment, and still had to wait until almost 9:50 for my turn. Which reminds me, you can dress it up in pretty architecture, but it’s still the DMV.

And one more thought: I’ve never understood the deal with the DMV’s terrible logo. It’s like someone doodled big, blocky, out-of-proportion letters on a sheet of paper and then demanded that it be used as the agency’s identifier.