Los Angeles (LA) and its surrounding areas are infamous for their beauty, glamor, and popularity. LA is still the most popular city to move to, and for good reason: there are endless job opportunities, an excellent quality of life, and plenty to do. However, LA’s alluring nature doesn’t mean there aren’t drawbacks. Busy streets and traffic are some of the most significant flaws in Los Angeles County, and unskilled drivers make matters worse. Los Angeles alone has nearly 150 car accidents daily, making it an intimidating city for newcomers to navigate. Thankfully, there are a few tricks locals have up their sleeves to make driving through the gold-lined streets of LA a little more tolerable. While you can’t totally eliminate traffic, you can avoid a decent chunk of it by avoiding some common LA driving mistakes.

Not Expecting Traffic

Los Angeles is considered the most congested city to drive in. Traffic can add hours to your driving time, even in just a few miles. To put it in perspective, Anaheim, a city just south of Los Angeles, is only about 25 to 30 miles away. However, on average, the drive time is usually estimated to take an hour and a half! Most newcomers fail to factor in how prevalent LA traffic is, causing them to arrive late to work or other appointments. You should look into arrival times before heading somewhere and add at least an hour to your drive time, ideally an hour and a half, due to traffic. Unless you drive at three in the morning, you will run into traffic (sometimes even at three in the morning).

Avoiding the Metro Rail

Many newcomers believe driving or taking the bus is the fastest way to get through Los Angeles. While those are both solid options, you are subjecting yourself to traffic with both methods. The Metro Rail is the LA train system that can help you reduce traffic times and reach your destination sooner. Taking the Metro Rail can cut your commute time significantly, so it’s worth looking into.

Texting and Driving

At stoplights and during periods of high traffic, it may be tempting to start texting or browsing your phone while driving. Don’t do it! Not only is it illegal in California, but you’ll also make traffic take longer. Your phone will distract you from stopping and going appropriately, making everyone else slower. It’s also dangerous—texting while driving is one of the top causes of accidents in Los Angeles.

Not Checking All GPS Options

Your GPS, like Google or Apple Maps, can be a savior for reducing traffic times. However, your GPS may only sometimes select the best travel methods. Newcomers to Los Angeles will select the default route and spend hours trying to navigate the busiest streets. Check all travel routes on your GPS to find the best travel times and choose accordingly. You can also change the GPS settings to select the fastest travel time or options without tolls. You will want this in LA!

Not Knowing Where to Park

Parking is half the battle when it comes to driving in LA. You will want to research parking options for your destinations beforehand to understand where to go. Prepare to pay a lot for parking, especially when heading to busy or tourist destinations. Researching in advance can help you identify free parking options, but don’t rely on securing a spot—everyone else will want the free options, too.

Misunderstanding California Driving Laws

Driving and accident laws will change depending on your state. People moving to California from another state can easily get a ticket or get into an accident due to unfamiliarity with new driving laws. For example, California requires a license plate on the vehicle’s front and back. You must also have car liability insurance, which you must provide to law enforcement should you get pulled over or into an accident. Unless in an emergency, you cannot touch a phone or tablet while driving outside of quick taps on a mounted dashboard. After ten days of moving to California, you must acquire a California driver’s license. If you get into an accident, you must file a claim and an accident with a chosen accident lawyer within two years from the date of the accident (the statute of limitations).

Going Too Fast

There are a lot of tight turns and dangerous curves in California, especially on the coast. With traffic congestion and roads meant for slower speeds, you aren’t going to want to speed here. Take your time, and enjoy the scenery as you focus on the road. With traffic, you won’t get there any sooner by speeding. Speeding is also the number one cause of fatal accidents; it’s not worth it. Taking LA’s tight curves and corners while speeding can quickly kill you.

Getting Distracted by Sightseeing

When you’re new to The City of Angels, you may be inspired by the familiar sights and destinations around you. Passing by landmarks like Rodeo Drive or the Hollywood Walk of Fame is common. However, not focusing on the road, especially during traffic, can easily add to commute times and cause accidents. If you want to sightsee, pull over and park. Otherwise, focus on the road. You’ll get used to these sights with time.