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The whole concept of driving has reared its little head up at me recently. Two things have moved me to muse about driving; the insanity of So Cal drivers and, I recently purchased a new car (something of a celebration for So Cal drivers).
I'm not sure if it's something to brag about, but I have been driving in Southern California (the "Car Capitol of the World") for nearly 35 years. I learned how to drive here, freeways and all. After all of this time it still amazes me how drivers in this part of the country cannot "drive". Oh, they get from point A to point B ok, but it's the in-between stuff that's just crazy. The easy explanation would include some language about different nationalities of people having different ways of driving. However I think the problem (and the explanation) lies in the design of our transportation routes.
My history in Los Angeles does take me back to the days of electric street cars and buses. At that time, mass transportation was viewed as one of many ways to get around. Even if you had a car, taking the electric bus was reasonable for some trips. You didn't need to worry about parking when you reached your destination, you saved on gas (the fare was much less than the cost of gas) and you could enjoy the ride while visiting those you were riding with. I know this all sounds like some sort of dreamy nostalgic look back, but it's based on facts of the time. In my opinion the transportation companies did a terrible job of promoting their product when the population began to grow exponentially in the LA area. I say this because another over populated part of California managed to maintain and grow a very successful mass transit system, San Francisco. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system simply blows away any achievements LA has done with respect to 'Car Pool Lanes' and 'Toll Roads'. The LA area RTD and Metro systems waited until everyone here decided that having your own car was the thing to do, then they started thinking about rail systems and subways. It was definitely a case of "too little, too late". I just think that the city planners couldn't think past their limited view of the future. There's a great exchange in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" where Judge Doom tries to explain the concept of a freeway to Eddie Valiant:
- Judge Doom: "A few weeks ago I had the good providence to stumble upon a plan of the city council. A construction plan of epic proportions. We're calling it a freeway."
- Eddie Valiant: "Freeway? What the hell's a freeway?"
- Judge Doom: "Eight lanes of shimmering cement running from here to Pasadena. Smooth, safe, fast. Traffic jams will be a thing of the past."
- Eddie Valiant: "So that's why you killed Acme and Maroon? For this freeway? I don't get it."
- Judge Doom: "Of course not. You lack vision, but I see a place where people get on and off the freeway. On and off, off and on all day, all night. Soon, where Toon Town once stood will be a string of gas stations, inexpensive motels, restaurants that serve rapidly prepared food. Tire salons, automobile dealerships and wonderful, wonderful billboards reaching as far as the eye can see. My God, it'll be beautiful."
Along with the transit entities standing around and watching all the cars go by, CalTrans has done a bang up job keeping our roads up to date. Sure it's difficult to update/upgrade a road when you can only work on one lane at a time, but they knew that going in. They have civil engineers on their payroll for that kind of thing. But since I'm not one of those I guess I'll just keep my opinion to myself. I'll just continue doing my 14 mile, ½ hour (one way) commute (or as I call it the "Morning and Afternoon Obstacle Course) every day and be thankful that it's not a one hour drive.
And that's what I'm musing about.
Comments, rebuttals, your 2 cents worth, email me.