Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Wave Changes Landscape of L.A. Traffic
There is a wave of change washing over Los Angeles county.
Once known as the city most likely to be shot in while driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Los Angeles County is now being referred to as "the city of friendly drivers" by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Attributed mostly to the "drastic increase in good-samaritan, happily-waving drivers," the constant waving-motion one displays after being allowed to cut into a particular lane on the highway has caused "a wave of happiness and goodwill" to "wash over the once-evil landscape of L.A. Traffic."
LAist couldn't be happier.
Lately we've been seeing the signs of happiness start to permeate the LA traffic scene, with drivers of huge monolithic SUV's slowing down to make spaces for insignificant economy-car drivers. Others have allowed cars exiting driveways and gas stations to get into the street instead of blocking their entry. People are no longer fighting for parking spots or tailgating as often. Cars and trucks and SUV's and Hummers are all existing together on the paved road of the future.
But more importantly, they're waving.
A happy little quick wave. A wave through the rear-view mirror. A half-cocked, crooked wave through a half-cracked window. There's the frenetic wave people use to get into a turning lane before it's too late. The half-wave half thumbs-up wave. The wave accompanied by ones' pointer finger as if to say, "I love you!" The two handed, half-cocked, upside down thumbs-up wave. The wave transformed into two hands praying wave. The thank you so much for everything head-twisted turn around stop-sign wave.
It's happening everywhere.
LAist can't help but wonder (as we usually do) what has caused the happy-waving-trend to occur lately. We're not sure why, we're not sure how, but we are pretty damn sure that it's got to be one of the coolest, happiest, god-darn tootin' coolest things to ever happen to a city filled with unhappy, desperate souls.
But then again, as Andy Dufrene says..."There's always hope."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.