Driving tips? (Glendale, Pasadena, Palm Springs: apartment, DMV, safe)

[vegaspilgrim]

I might be heading to LA from Phoenix this weekend for apartment hunting (USC area, Culver City, West LA, downtown, maybe I'll also check out Glendale and Pasadena). I've never personally driven in LA before; anything special, out of the ordinary I should be aware about? I know on Wilshire, and I'm sure on many other streets too there are photo enforcement cameras. Are these just red-light cameras or do they measure speed as well? If you entered the intersection when it is green or yellow and then it turns red while you still haven't completely cleared the intersection, do you get nabbed? What about intersections where there is no dedicated left arrow at the light to make a left turn? Are you supposed to pull out into the middle of the intersection? Are you supposed to tailgate through these? Do the cameras nab you for this? Parking-- do you have to pay for parking everywhere you go in West LA, or is there free parking? Freeways-- are you better off taking the freeway or using surface streets? Anything special to know when it comes to the freeways? Are you supposed to merge over the instant it's physically possible? Is better to use signals, or move over with no signal? Are you supposed to go the speed limit, go 10 over, 15 over, or what, to keep up with traffic?

Also, since I'm coming in from Phoenix, when I drive into LA I'll be heading I-10 westbound in the afternoon-- is this going to be backed up with traffic, or will I be going against traffic? Is there any particular time when I should try to make it into LA? One last question-- I noticed that as soon as you cross into California, the state speed limit is 70 mph (which I find a little low, but that's what the sign says). How fast can you safely drive through the desert between Blythe and Palm Springs without getting pulled over? I know there are cops out there that hide on the side of the road looking for speeders. Does 70 mean 70, or can you go 75? 80? A lot of questions, I know, but I need answers fast! Thanks in advance for your tips.

[timelesschild]

To be honest, it is like anywhere else. Just don't be impatient, and do stay alert. To read this forum, you'd think it was incredibly difficult to negotiate, but it just isn't.

I find the other drivers to be as courteous as drivers anywhere in America. The freeways can be way fast or way slow, but it works out best if you stay alert and use your opportunities well, fitting yourself into traffic as it seems appropriate. The surface streets are good, and generally better than the freeways at rush hour.

I know I haven't answered some of your more-specific questions, but thought I'd give you my impressions as one newcomer to another.

[BRinSM]

i've driven well over 80 on the 10 freeway and not had any issues. just keep your eyes open. as for driving here in the city, you should be fine. If your a passive driver it may be more difficult, but its really not that bad. drivers in NY, China, and Rio scare me much more than drivers here.

[Winston Smith]

Not sure where to start, but I'll take a stab at a few...

More than "Speed Limit" the sign on the big highways say "Maximum Speed." It means what it says. That is the absolute fastest you can go in CA. The area around Blythe, Desert Center, Chirriaco Summit is fairly well patroled, in part because of the prison. In terms of tickets, there is no safe speed over the "Maximum." It all depends on the officer's mood or perception of things at that time.

Also be aware of multiple infractions, i.e. speeding, tailgating, excessive lane changes within a short distance of travel. These could be seen as cumulative incidents rolled into one violation of "road rage."

Red-light cameras will nab you if you cross the limit line after the light turns red. On yellow, the camera gets ready to take a picture, but if you enter the intersection (cross the limit line) on yellow, you are safe even if the light turns red before you've completely cleared the intersection.

Left turns on solid green after the green left arrow goes away: yes, please go! In L.A. it is imperative to keep traffic moving. Always keep this in mind. It's a big city with a lot of people all trying to get somewhere. The less we can all to to hinder that progress, the better in all respects.

You will find less and less socialized parking in L.A., so be prepared to pay.

I may not have covered everything for you, but hopefully it's a start.

PS. One last thing to remember as you drive around L.A.: patience and a good sense of humor will go a long, long way for you.

[katenik]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

I might be heading to LA from Phoenix this weekend for apartment hunting (USC area, Culver City, West LA, downtown, maybe I'll also check out Glendale and Pasadena). I've never personally driven in LA before; anything special, out of the ordinary I should be aware about? I know on Wilshire, and I'm sure on many other streets too there are photo enforcement cameras. Are these just red-light cameras or do they measure speed as well? If you entered the intersection when it is green or yellow and then it turns red while you still haven't completely cleared the intersection, do you get nabbed? What about intersections where there is no dedicated left arrow at the light to make a left turn? Are you supposed to pull out into the middle of the intersection? Are you supposed to tailgate through these? Do the cameras nab you for this? Parking-- do you have to pay for parking everywhere you go in West LA, or is there free parking? Freeways-- are you better off taking the freeway or using surface streets? Anything special to know when it comes to the freeways? Are you supposed to merge over the instant it's physically possible? Is better to use signals, or move over with no signal? Are you supposed to go the speed limit, go 10 over, 15 over, or what, to keep up with traffic?

Also, since I'm coming in from Phoenix, when I drive into LA I'll be heading I-10 westbound in the afternoon-- is this going to be backed up with traffic, or will I be going against traffic? Is there any particular time when I should try to make it into LA? One last question-- I noticed that as soon as you cross into California, the state speed limit is 70 mph (which I find a little low, but that's what the sign says). How fast can you safely drive through the desert between Blythe and Palm Springs without getting pulled over? I know there are cops out there that hide on the side of the road looking for speeders. Does 70 mean 70, or can you go 75? 80? A lot of questions, I know, but I need answers fast! Thanks in advance for your tips.

i have crossed the country three times by car, and i don't drive any differently in other states, but if you are really worried about those things you mentioned in the first paragraph, it would probably be best to obtain a copy of the CA DMV guide (probably available online), and read it through once or twice.

on the open highway, keep pace with the speed of traffic. it isn't safe to be in the only vehicle doing the speed limit if everyone else driving 10-15 mph above it. just be sure to slow down when everyone else does, because it probably means that someone up ahead (probably a trucker) has spotted the CHP. they have been known to pull over multiple cars at one time.

rush hour in "LA" extends into the "commuter" communities as far as 75 miles out, and by late afternoon I-10 is jammed up in both directions from the inland empire to santa monica. if that's when you happen to arrive, it will be a good baptism by fire for you. it will be torture, but at least you'll know how bad it gets at its worst.

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by katenik

on the open highway, keep pace with the speed of traffic. it isn't safe to be in the only vehicle doing the speed limit if everyone else driving 10-15 mph above it. ... they [CHP] have been known to pull over multiple cars at one time.

Perhaps, but keep in mind that just because everyone else is going 10-15 miles over the speed limit and you get ticketed, the excuse that "everyone else was speeding" won't get you anywhere, not with the officer nor in court. If traffic is moving 85 or 90 in a 70 zone and you're uncomfortable with the higher speed, slow down. Don't be a lemming.

[katenik]

Originally Posted by cre8

Perhaps, but keep in mind that just because everyone else is going 10-15 miles over the speed limit and you get ticketed, the excuse that "everyone else was speeding" won't get you anywhere, not with the officer nor in court. If traffic is moving 85 or 90 in a 70 zone and you're uncomfortable with the higher speed, slow down. Don't be a lemming.

slow down and have 18-wheelers honk their honking horns at you? no, thanks. however, if you do choose to slow down, be sure to keep to the right.

for the record, i won't drive over 85, no matter what. it just doesn't feel like i have good control of my vehicle at speeds higher than that.

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by katenik

slow down and have 18-wheelers honk their honking horns at you? no, thanks.

Your choice; your life. Just don't take me or my family with your in your haste.

Originally Posted by katenik

for the record, i won't drive over 85, no matter what. it just doesn't feel like i have good control of my vehicle at speeds higher than that.

Even if everyone else is driving 95 or 100, as is often the case? Just not following the line of thinking here. If traffic is traveling at a speed comfortable for you, even if that means speeding, the advice is to drive just as fast. Until, that is, traffic moves at a speed faster than what's comfortable for you, then it's ok to drive slower than traffic?

PS. Speed limit for 18-wheelers in CA is 55.

[katenik]

Originally Posted by cre8

Your choice; your life. Just don't take me or my family with your in your haste.



Even if everyone else is driving 95 or 100, as is often the case? Just not following the line of thinking here. If traffic is traveling at a speed comfortable for you, even if that means speeding, the advice is to drive just as fast. Until, that is, traffic moves at a speed faster than what's comfortable for you, then it's ok to drive slower than traffic?

you've completely lost ME, and i'm not here to get into a debate with you, which is what you seem to want. have a nice day.

[stock66]

I really thinking you are over thinking the LA driving issue. I think it is easier to drive here than most of the country. People tend to let you in and make way.
Just keep up with traffic, which most of the time is very slow, and you will be fine.
Do everyone a favor and if you miss your exit just go to the next one and come back. Truly hate the people that just stop or make sudden cuts through traffic just cause they want to change direction