This upcoming weekend is currently known as the “Carmageddon” for residents of Los Angeles. What’s really going down is the I-405, one of the busiest highways in the country, known for its intense traffic jams, will be closed for 10 miles between the 101 and the 10 freeways. Along that 10 mile closure are some of the most utilized exits in the country, such as Santa Monica Blvd. and Sunset Blvd. The closure is expected to be so bad that the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority is telling residents to avoid the area altogether.
“Plan ahead, avoid the area or stay home,” says the authority. It might be right. With so many cars out on the road, accidents are far more likely, and so are your chances of being busted for a traffic violation. The slow moving traffic will make the popular alternative to the 405, Sepulveda Blvd. completely backed up to the point that considering using this route is something you might want to reconsider.
With all this slow moving traffic, one is going to be tempted to use their cell phones. Remember folks, unless you have a wireless set-up in your car, where you are completely hands free, DO NOT USE YOUR PHONE. Texting is completely out of the question, as that requires you to pick up your phone with your hands. If you do this, expect to be pulled over. Cops are on the lookout for texting drivers and fines have increased dramatically.
A recent bill approved by the California Senate has increased the fine for texting drivers to a whopping $310. That’s a huge chunk of change. With gas prices as high as they are (around $3.50 nationally, and around $4.00 in Southern California), you don’t want to get slammed with this hefty fine.
Texting and driving could cost you a huge fine, or even worse, a huge accident. While I can’t say there is any correlation between slow moving traffic and texting while driving, consider you’re in a gridlock. Would you be tempted to reach for your phone?
