Checking in on Car Culture
A piece in the today’s Times goes into the bad habits of many drivers. Normally, an article like this wouldn’t get more than a clip in Today’s Clip, but after last week’s “Dust Up” it was worth noting that it isn’t just a few bad apples that ruin the whole bunch and that it’s not … Continued
12:59 PM PST on January 16, 2008
A piece in the today’s Times goes into the bad habits of many drivers. Normally, an article like this wouldn’t get more than a clip in Today’s Clip, but after last week’s “Dust Up” it was worth noting that it isn’t just a few bad apples that ruin the whole bunch and that it’s not just uppity cyclists complaining about unsafe drivers.
What’s also interesting, is how many of the common driver’s complaints can’t/don’t apply to cyclists. In order, the driver complaints listed in this article are:
1) Tailgaters that honk, flash lights, and make rude gestures when you’re already going over the speed limit
2) Drivers that don’t use their turn-signal
3) Police officers have a problem remembering to use their turn signals
4) People that throw trash out their windows
5) Speed racers out of red lights (who end up stopped at the same light as the “loser” from the last light)
6) Cars that are double parked
2) Drivers that don’t use their turn-signal
3) Police officers have a problem remembering to use their turn signals
4) People that throw trash out their windows
5) Speed racers out of red lights (who end up stopped at the same light as the “loser” from the last light)
6) Cars that are double parked
With the exception of #2, (To be fair, half the time I signal a right hand turn, the driver’s behind me act like they have no idea what’s going on) none of these apply to folks that use their bikes instead of their cars as their transportation choice. So next time one hears that cyclists break just as many laws as drivers, remember that people on a bike don’t even have as many ways to break a law as our friend’s in their cars.
(photo from today’s Times)
Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.
More from Streetsblog Los Angeles
Friday News Briefs: Olympic Blvd Bus Lanes, Metrolink Cuts, Hollywood Blvd Results, and Pacoima Wash Bridge
Metrolink vote on service cuts today. Hollywood Boulevard data shows success. Plans for new Telfair Avenue bike/walk bridge over the Pacoima Wash. Metro plans seven miles of new Olympic Blvd. bus lanes from DTLA to Beverly Hills.
October 9, 2026
Friday’s Headlines
"Our love of speeding," Spring/Alameda, 6th Street Viaduct, L.A. River, wildlife crossing, car-nage, and more
October 9, 2026
L.A. City Plans to Add New Bus and Bike Lanes on Westwood Blvd
The proposed 2.2-mile project would add new protected bike lanes connecting the Metro E Line station to UCLA and would add 1.1 mile of new bus-only lanes. Give your input via online survey.
October 8, 2026
California Needs More Ways to Fund Transit, Not Fewer. Streetsblog Urges You to Vote No on 43
Prop. 43 would make it harder for Californians to fund transit and transportation projects by giving just over 1/3 of voters the power to block locally backed tax measures.
October 8, 2026
South El Monte Puts 45 Day Moratorium on Data Center and Battery Facility Development
Critics say this move undercuts the standard planning process for safe projects; supporters want a total ban and no new warehouses in South El Monte.
October 8, 2026
