The traffic snarl of biblical proportions not only failed to appear this last weekend, it may have taught us something valuable about how much we commute, and why we live in Fullerton.
The news stories leading up to last weekend’s planned shut-down of the 405 were so fearful they scared people in other states. Half a million drivers would be diverted. Commutes could be delayed by hours. Social media was awash with comments from people in other states happy that they weren’t here. Dan Neil, auto critic for the Wall Street Journal jokingly said that he was so scared of Carmageddon that he was not leaving his house in Raleigh, NC.
The actual results were so tranquil that they prompted LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslovsky to remark “Carmageddon Shmarmageddon!” People found ways to stay near their homes and still have an enjoyable weekend. Doubtlessly social media and connected devices helped people communicate and coordinate with friends. “Two thirds of the people who normally drive the freeways in this area were not on the freeways this weekend”, said Mr. Yaroslovsky. The LA Times on Sunday showed layers of empty freeways and one group even took a picture of their dinner party in the 405 passing lane.
What does this mean? It means that most of the people driving on the freeway on the weekend don’t need to be there. This number is probably high during the week too. In 2008 during a gas price spike the miles driven by Americans fell by 25%, the largest drop since those statistics were first tracked. This caused a quick drop in the oil prices (It must have ruined all the speculators that pundits such as Bill O’Riley claimed were driving prices up.)
A person driving 2 hours a day to work an 8 hour shift takes a 20% cut in pay compared to working locally when you measure from the time he leaves his home. This does not even include gas and maintenance.
The best way to reduce drive time is by living in a town like Fullerton. Our walk-able downtown with mixed mode dwellings, our bus/train transit hub, and our bicycle-able streets all add up to a workable solution to Southern California’s transit problems. Carmageddon tells us that people are driving when they don’t need to be. Fullerton gives us a place to go before the next Carmageddon.
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