More Is Less: High Gas Equals Quicker Drives in LA

Commuters, traffic reporters say famously congested freeways a bit less so
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted May 12, 2008 4:55 PM CDT
More Is Less: High Gas Equals Quicker Drives in LA
Cars and trucks share the road near the Newhall Pass between Santa Clarita and Los Angeles Monday, Oct. 15, 2007.    (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Sure, gas prices are unreasonable and the economy is hurting, but, the Los Angeles Times reports, at least now the infamous traffic isn't so bad. Hard data shows that traffic may be thinning out along LA’s freeways; accidents and commute times are also falling. Talking with local drivers, the Times got plenty of anecdotal evidence to support the theory.

“It was one of those days I took the 210 to the 118,"  one driver said. “Instead of taking an hour and 15 minutes to get to work, it took an hour and 10 minutes. It was only five minutes, but I noticed it because I wasn't even pushing it that day.” (More Los Angeles stories.)

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