Since California's no texting while driving law went into effect 19 months ago, texting and use of smart phones has just about doubled, finds a study conducted by The Auto Club. The membership organization found that 2.7% of drivers at anytime are breaking the law. The same study conducted earlier this year found that 1.1% of drivers were texting. more ›

Over the past two years, the Automobile Club of Southern California has conducted a handful of studies before and after the texting-while-driving law went into affect, finding that texting dropped 70%, from 1.4% of motorists to 0.5%. But their latest study, conducted over the last month, finds that texting is on the rise again, more than doubling to 1.1%. more ›

If you find yourself too drunk to drive tomorrow night (or any night, for this matter), just don't drive. Please. Luckily, tomorrow is New Year's Eve, which means a few things: a) lots of bad drunks on the roads b) lots of police on the roads c) the Automobile Club of Southern California is offering its annual tipsy tow service to everyone, not just members. more ›

Gas prices continued to increase at the rate of about a penny a day this past week. That makes for an average of $2.07 in the Los Angeles area today. "Southern California prices do normally rise at this time of year as refineries cut inventory, perform maintenance, and prepare to produce the 'summer blend' of gasoline that is required to improve the state's air quality," said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring in a statement. "Since their low point nearly six weeks ago, gas price averages have risen by 34 to 38 cents in most local areas." This is still much better than prices soaring above $4. more ›

Well, if you happen to drive within seven miles of home, then you might be in luck. The Auto Club of Southern California is offering their Tipsy Tow service for those too inebriated to drive, but aware enough to take advantage of the free service. more ›

The Southern Californian Auto Club would like to remind all of us that 'tis the season for us to be stupid, particularly when it comes to locking ourselves out of our cars. During December the Club deals with more locked out members than any other time of the year. In fact, according to their press release, in December of 2007 "the Auto Club answered 76,346 calls for help by its members for keys locked in vehicles at shopping malls, retail centers, grocery stores and other locations." The busiest locked-out days fell on the weekend before Christmas--you know, right when you're at the peak of frazzled, desperately trying to get everything done and every errand run. more ›

It's a matter of simple math: New Year's Eve + Drinking + Driving = DUI. more ›

Great Northern Great Northern, The Upside Down, CoCo B's @ Little Radio (noon) Neil Hamburger, Dr. El Suavo, TV Sheriff @ Spaceland Hugh Cornwell @ Galaxy Theatre The Lovell Sisters @ McCabe's The Paul Green School of Rock @ The Roxy Street Trash, Geisha Girls, Le Face, The Diffs, The Hitz @ The Knitting Factory The Ramonas, The Outskirts, Adam West The Bat @ The Airliner Dukes Of Doom, The Perfect Black, The Plague,... more ›

Congratulations to team blogging.la for winning in the media category at the Lotus Festival's dragon boat race! They beat the wussies over at KTLA. In the end, all of that doesn't matter 'cause LAist is going to kick everyone's ass next year (that means you too Mack Reed). It's on! more ›

Can we talk about the insane gas prices for a minute? What's the point of having a fuel efficient car if it's still going to cost you $30 to fill your 10 or 12 gallon tank? The California Auto Club's weekly gas price report says that the average price for gas is currently $2.64 for regular unleaded with no relief in site. more ›