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Posting-Version: version Vortex 1.1 8/4/83; site vortex.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!vortex!lauren
From: lauren@vortex.UUCP (Lauren Weinstein)
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: pedestrians/drivers/LAX
Message-ID: <103@vortex.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 16-Aug-83 17:20:36 EDT
Article-I.D.: vortex.103
Posted: Tue Aug 16 17:20:36 1983
Date-Received: Wed, 17-Aug-83 05:25:56 EDT
Organization: Vortex Technology, Los Angeles
Lines: 55

Greetings.  A few points.

---

Regarding pedestrian right of way... I was able to find fairly recent
California drivers tests that clearly show the correct answer to a 
question as being:

Pedestrians have the right of way ... AT ALL TIMES.

Now, *exactly* what "right of way" *really* means is another question.
Perhaps some of the confusion between different states revolves around
this issue.

---

Indeed, there are a certain percentage of twits driving in any area,
and L.A. is no exception.  No doubt the substantial number of Easterners
with rented cars at any given time explains part of the trouble (chuckle).
Actually, there are a lot of out-of-towners here at all times, and they
can't be expected to know the ropes.  Overall though, I've found L.A.
by far to be the most comfortable (and relatively low-pressure *overall*)
city to drive in.  I'm not claiming that the Santa Monica Freeway at 
rush hour is a joy, but it's just not nearly as painful as the Turnpikes and
Thruways back East at similar times.  There is just a lot less 
"offensive" driving out here -- I think that's the key.

---

As for LAX!  Ho ho.  That's the place where ALL of the out-of-towners
converge.  It has never been a fun place to drive at most hours, and
the construction there has made the situation somewhat worse (not as
bad as I had expected, however.)  When I first heard that they were
going to add a second level to the loop roadway of an operating airport,
I thought they must be kidding.  They've done fairly well, however, and 
most of the second level is basically finished (though mostly not yet
open to traffic).  New terminal buildings (particularly commuter and
international) are going up fast.  Right now the best airline to
fly in or out of LAX seems to be United -- mainly because they finished
their new terminal building and are the only major airline that is open
on the second level -- you can drive right up onto the new upper level
roadway and go straight to United -- no traffic, no loop hassle!
Most of the airlines won't be open on that level for months.  Of course,
LAX is the third busiest airport in the country, and a certain amount
of congestion is always to be expected in such places.  By the way,
I live just to the north of LAX (next to Marina Del Rey) and have basically
found it to be a very low hassle factor.  I don't get any significant
airline noise (the runways are east/west), and I'm away from the traffic.

Another interesting point about LAX -- they have radio services that
discuss parking conditions and the like which can be heard thoughout
most of the L.A. area -- they got a special permit for an AM broadcast
station to announce such items 24 hours/day.

--Lauren--