I have always commented that Los Angeles has pretty good drivers when compared to the drivers of other various urban and suburban areas. However, in the past few months, L.A. drivers have proven themselves to be absolutely horrible and incompetent drivers. Amazingly so. At this point, I could probably start a book just on anecdotes of how stupid drivers are. Instead, I’ll provide you with some highlights.
A couple months ago, I was driving with Sharon, Tawny, and Thunder down Ventura Blvd. when we see this black Explorer blocking two lanes of traffic. Then, without looking, she proceeds to back up into the lane I was in to finish making her three-point turn. I had to swerve out of her way to avoid being hit. This was an interesting experience in Nancy’s Tahoe. The two dogs went flying, but all turned out all right.
Amongst a decent amount of traffic on a different part of Ventura Blvd., I was slowly progressing and saw a Buick Rendevous stopped in the middle of the intersection for no apparent reason. Well, I almost hit the reason since this SUV stopped for a pedestrian who was walking in the middle of the street without regard to the oncoming traffic. By the way, did I mention there was a crosswalk fifty feet away?
There are numerous other examples of the stupidity of Angelino drivers. I was cut off by someone making a left turn from the right-turn-only lane. Getting cut off by people behind me, to my side, in front of me on occasion is a common occurence. I almost got side-swiped by a maniacal driver, who was driving so recklessly that Sharon called the police to report him. The city buses have now decided to join in the fun by swerving in front of me and then pulling back only halfway over so as to block my lane. And apparently turn signals have become insanely expensive, since very few people seem to get that option on their vehicles nowadays.
I really wish that everyone were forced to retake a behind-the-wheel driving every few years, but I understand the massive impracticality of that solution. Old people really should have to take a driving test every so often, but then the AARP would yell ageism. Sadly, the best solution would be highly controversal. Namely, having some sort of automatic monitoring of drivers on the road with a way to automatically cite people for traffic violations (like the intersection cameras, but more complex and capable). Hopefully, someone with some clout will think of a solution to the chaos on the roads. My health may depend on it.