CANYON DRIVERS

If you take the canyons (I don't care if it's Malibu, Topanga, or any other canyon in the local area)  you know about canyon drivers.  They come in all kinds of personality. I've learned to identify them.

The granny (or grandpa) driver - they go through the canyon about 10mph below the speed limit.  I get that some people are not comfortable driving the windy, twisty roads.  But, there are numerous turn-outs through the canyons and *lots* of signs asking slow traffic to pull into the turn-outs and let faster traffic through.  I've had people actually slow down more - just to prove a point - when you try to point out the issue by flashing your headlights, pointing to the turn outs, etc.
 
Locals - some of them are also granny or grandpa type drivers - but for an entirely different reason.  It's their canyon.  I know the feeling.  I live in a smaller canyon like neighborhood and people terrorize our streets - where we have no sidewalks and no streetlights.  There's a 'but' to this though.  The canyons have clearly posted speed limit signs.  If we are not in a section that says 35mph then don't slow down to that speed.  It backs up traffic, encourages pollution, and generally pisses people off.

The speed daemon -  the opposite of the granny or grandpa driver.  Ok, face it, we all take the canyons at 5 mph faster at some point.  These are the guys/gals that sit on your, um, backside when you're already pushing it.  I usually pull over in a turn out and just let them by.  I want to live another day.

The curveball -  this is the person who either speeds up on your butt, and then slows once you pull over to let them pass, or lets you pass and then crawls up your backside.  I place these people in the same category as computer hackers - NUISANCE.  Get off the road before you kill someone (including yourself!)

The motorcyclist - these folks (guys or gals) have the ability to weave in and out of traffic legally here in California. I'm constantly checking my mirrors on regular roads or freeways - doubly so in the canyons.  Still, they've been known to come up behind you out of a turn and make you suck in so much air you think you'll pass out.

Just a reminder on canyon driving?  It's like driving anywhere else.  Hang up the cell if you can't handle hands-free calling, don't put on your makeup, shave, read the paper while driving, and for Pete's sake - pay attention!  There are animals crossing those roads often - not just the occasional squirrel or raccoon, but larger animals like DEER.   Coming from the Midwest I've seen what that can do to your car - and you.  It's not at all pretty and sometimes neither one walks away.

I'm Baaacckkkk!!! (aka construction woes)

CONSTRUCTION RANTS

I've decided that the head (or heads) of the Los Angeles DOT construction projects is (are) **male**.  I doubt seriously that a woman would plan construction on every major artery into the Brentwood/Santa Monica area (and beyond) out of the Valley at the same time.  We have the 405 upgrade project.  While it's mostly for the northbound side it includes the updating/modification of 20+ on and off-ramps north and South bound, and the reconstruction of 3 bridges that pass over the 405.  This is a 3 year project (at the rate our state is going probably closer to 5).

Ok, so why worry?  We'll just take Topanga Canyon out to the coast and go that route.  There are projects in two places bringing the canyon down to one lane in both places during the majority of the morning and evening rush hours.  Oh, and there's a sign on PCH warning of impending construction delays there (no date given.)

Alright, alright, let's take Ventura Boulevard to Haskell, up to Sepulveda and go that route (the 101 is always backed up for the morning commute - and you have to take the 405 from there anyway.)  Ventura Boulevard is under construction in at least one place (again down to one lane during the morning commute) and the little jog to Sepulveda/405 on-ramp (should you decide to chance it) is intermittently closed.  Okay, stay on Haskell it becomes Sepulveda.  Now Sepulveda is starting construction in several places.

I realize that this sounds whiny.  But just try to get out of the valley in the morning rush and see where you start to get frayed around the edges. Until next time - Please drive safely!