Rules of the L.A. Road (San Bernardino, Moreno Valley: law, dangerous, floor)

[CESpeed]

I'm posting thtis because there are a lot people who wish to move here, but do not understand that driving in L.A. is different than other places, so I thought it would be helpful to let them in on the unwritten "rules".

1) Yellow light means floor it not hit the brake.

2) Please Please Please, if you are in the left turn lane, move into the intersection. That way, more than 1 car can make the light.

3) The light does not have to turn yellow before making your turn. If you can make without getting hit, GO!

4) If the car in front has moved 2 seconds after the light turns green, hit your horn,they are probably on the phone.

5) If someone blows the horn at you, that means, MOVE!

6) There are four lanes on the freeway or street (right to left) granny, fast, faster, fastest!

7) Please ask before merging into a lane. This means use your turn signal. If the person speeds up, that means NO (sorry)

8) Unfortunately, pedestrians have the right-of-way, but aiming at anyone over the age of 15 and under the age of 60 is perfectly acceptable if they are jay walking.

9) If you are sightseeing, please use the far right lane, the rest of us are running late.

10) You are required to seat dance and sing (off key) at the top of your lungs when stuck in traffic.

Enjoy your drive through L.A.

[JTGJR]

Originally Posted by CESpeed

7) Please ask before merging into a lane. This means use your turn signal. If the person speeds up, that means NO (sorry)

Nope, they stopped selling automobiles with turn signals long ago in LA. If you see someone with their turn signal on, you'll know the moved here from out of the area. If yours work, you better remove the bulbs. Then you'll be able to safely change lanes without the [mod cut; language] behind and on either side hitting the gas to block your safe lane change.

Label this my BIGGEST driving pet peeve. Tho #4 moving up the list.

[HotFudge]

I think I pass the test in driving in L.A. :-)

but I DO use the turn signal, and it works when I'm in L.A. I specially use it on the expressway and drivers are good and let me go. So even if I'm labeled as a foreigner, I'll keep using it :-) I just feel safer, and I feel unlawful to not do it.

[BreaOC]

Originally Posted by CESpeed

4) If the car in front has moved 2 seconds after the light turns green, hit your horn,they are probably on the phone.

Can't wait for the new cell phone law in June! (I might get hated on for saying that )

[ChocolateTae]

Originally Posted by HotFudge

I think I pass the test in driving in L.A. :-)

but I DO use the turn signal, and it works when I'm in L.A. I specially use it on the expressway and drivers are good and let me go. So even if I'm labeled as a foreigner, I'll keep using it :-) I just feel safer, and I feel unlawful to not do it.

ITA! As an "outsider" or "transplant" or "foreigner" I use my turn signals faithfully. And it irritates the crap outta me that a lot of people don't. How the hell am I supposed to know what you're doing or where you're going to go next. I mean they aren't there for nothing. But whatever...

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by BreaOC

Can't wait for the new cell phone law in June! (I might get hated on for saying that )

I agree. I really love it when someone's holding the phone to their ear, trying to back their Tahoe out of a space between a Suburban and an Explorer and almost causes three accidents in the process because they can't/won't turn their heads enough to see. PUT THE F-ING PHONE DOWN FOR THE 10 SECONDS IT TAKES TO GET OUT SAFELY!

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by JTGJR

Nope, they stopped selling automobiles with turn signals long ago in LA. If you see someone with their turn signal on, you'll know the moved here from out of the area. If yours work, you better remove the bulbs. Then you'll be able to safely change lanes without the a$$hole behind and on either side hitting the gas to block your safe lane change.

Label this my BIGGEST driving pet peeve. Tho #4 moving up the list.

Yeah turn signals are the sign to other drivers that you want them to attempt to hide in your blind spot and pace you, making any lane change dangerous to impossible. Its better to just hide your intentions until you're past them and can change lanes safely without interference.

[ChocolateTae]

Originally Posted by CESpeed

I'm posting thtis because there are a lot people who wish to move here, but do not understand that driving in L.A. is different than other places, so I thought it would be helpful to let them in on the unwritten "rules".

1) Yellow light means floor it not hit the brake.

2) Please Please Please, if you are in the left turn lane, move into the intersection. That way, more than 1 car can make the light.

3) The light does not have to turn yellow before making your turn. If you can make without getting hit, GO!

4) If the car in front has moved 2 seconds after the light turns green, hit your horn,they are probably on the phone.

5) If someone blows the horn at you, that means, MOVE!

6) There are four lanes on the freeway or street (right to left) granny, fast, faster, fastest!

7) Please ask before merging into a lane. This means use your turn signal. If the person speeds up, that means NO (sorry)

8) Unfortunately, pedestrians have the right-of-way, but aiming at anyone over the age of 15 and under the age of 60 is perfectly acceptable if they are jay walking.

9) If you are sightseeing, please use the far right lane, the rest of us are running late.

10) You are required to seat dance and sing (off key) at the top of your lungs when stuck in traffic.

Enjoy your drive through L.A.

Thanks for the tips. I know how to change lanes and even steal a spot really good (even though I know it pisses some people off lol) so I'm good in that department. I got my first taste of CA rush hour traffic yesterday driving to San Bernardino from Moreno Valley at 3pm. And I sang and danced the entire time. LOL Couple people even laughed at me. I guess my seat dancing and singing didn't look or sound to good. LOL

One thing I do now that I didn't do in Baltimore is not letting people over. After seeing the traffic backed up for MILES I'm like I have somewhere to be, get behind me. LOL Oh well, I did let a few people over though. The traffic hasn't started to annoy and irritate me yet, I just look at it as more time to spend in my car and listen to some good music. What can I say, I'm an optimist.

[JTGJR]

I got popped by the mods for bad language on this thread. Apologies. So, I'll add another rule of the road to CESpeed's list.

You know those double yellow lines between the carpool lane and the non-carpool lanes on the freeway? YOU'RE !!NOT!! SUPPOSED TO CROSS THEM. There are clearly marked entry/exit points to the carpool lanes.

I point this out because I truly believe that most people don't honestly know they're risking a $300+ fine for not knowing the law.

[Castro Viejo]

I love this blog.

L.A. Can’t Drive

Makes me appreciate the New York City subway much more.