Is Driving in Los Angeles Dangerous? 6 Safety Things to Know When Renting a Car in the US

Driving in Los Angeles, enjoying the coastal breeze and wide roads, as if you were in a romantic Hollywood movie plot, is so cozy! But at the same time, some people say "it's dangerous", "the driving is fierce", "the routes are confusing", is renting a car and driving in Los Angeles, USA a good choice for traveling? In this article, we will focus on two major aspects of driving, personal safety and property safety, and provide six safety points to pay attention to, mainly in the greater Los Angeles area, so that you can have a safer and more worry-free trip after understanding them.

Familiarize yourself with U.S. traffic rules and Los Angeles driving style.

Los Angeles has a less robust public transportation system than many major American cities, so most people drive. Maybe that makes more sense to you:"The American West's mass transit system is the highway, and the airplane is their high-speed rail."This creates a complex road system and intense traffic, which can be stressful for first-time travelers who are unfamiliar with the American way of driving.

Before arriving in the U.S., you can familiarize yourself with U.S. traffic rules through the driving manual provided by Sky Horse, such as what to do when encountering stop signs, how to recognize red and green lights, how to use right and left turns, and yielding rules at intersections.

Suggested Practice:

Before you hit the road, take some time to learn the traffic rules, in addition to turning on your navigation system, and learn your route a little bit ahead of time.
For those unfamiliar with highway driving, it is recommended to avoid the road during rush hour to reduce stress and potential risk.
Obey the speed limit and drive with the flow of traffic, avoiding the inside lane if you are going slow.

Pay attention to the local security situation and avoid entering high-risk areas.

In addition to being a tourist destination, Los Angeles is a metropolitan area the size and population of North Los Angeles, so do your homework before you go and avoid high-risk areas for a more comfortable trip! Vehicle thefts and window break-ins occur in certain areas, especially at night or in unattended parking lots. Therefore, when choosing driving routes and parking locations, avoid the following areas if not necessary:

Downtown LA. Downtown Los Angeles has a crime rate 12 times higher than that of the United States, so it is important to be aware of what you are doing at night and avoid going out alone.
Wholesale District/Skid Row: This area is a stronghold for travelers and has a high crime rate, including violent and property crimes.
West Adams: One of the high crime areas in Los Angeles, the types of crimes include guns, violence, robbery, and burglary.
Compton: This area is known for gang activity and a high crime rate with drugs, violence, and gun incidents.
East Los Angeles: There are parts of the area that are not well policed, with theft and violent crime occurring.

Suggested Practice:

If you need to travel to these areas, it is recommended that you know the specific routes in advance and choose to travel during daytime hours.
When parking in these areas, try to choose a supervised, managed parking lot and make sure that nothing is left in your car.

Understanding and coping with traffic jams in Los Angeles

It is a well-known problem in Los Angeles that traffic congestion is very serious during rush hour, especially during the morning and evening commute (around 7 - 10 am and 4 - 7 pm). When you are on the road during these hours, the traffic congestion can easily increase the stress of driving and cause serious delays. Sometimes, when encountering rude or emotionally unstable drivers, conflicts are likely to occur.

Suggested Practice:

If possible, avoid driving during rush hour traffic and avoid major commuter routes.
Stay calm while driving, even if someone honks, avoid verbal altercations with other drivers and focus on your journey.

Preventing Vehicle Theft and Window Breaking

Vehicle theft and window knocking incidents are frequent in some areas of Los Angeles, especially in areas with a high number of tourists. Many criminals lock up tourist vehicles in parking lots and quickly break the windows and steal the contents. Therefore, the choice of parking lot is very important, avoid parking in sparse crowds, broken glass on the ground, unmanaged, unmonitored, dark and remote parking location, pay more attention to the surrounding environment will be more able to protect the vehicle and its belongings.

Suggested Practice:

Carry all your belongings with you and do not leave them in the car, even if it is an inexpensive jacket or umbrella.
If you have luggage, please place it in the back of the car and leave it out of sight.
Ensure that the doors are locked after stopping the vehicle and try not to open the rear compartment in public.
Don't cover the windows with baffles, black cloths, or cardboard boxes, as this will give robbers the impression that there are valuable items inside.
Leave your luggage or personal belongings in a nearby locker (available).This Website(Search for a nearby baggage drop-off point)
Choose a parking lot (Valet Parking) or indoor parking building with valet parking, but they still do not guarantee the safety of your vehicle and property

V. Purchase Comprehensive Vehicle Insurance

Choosing the right car insurance is an important step in protecting your interests when renting a car in the United States. Traffic conditions in Los Angeles can be unpredictable, and in the event of an accident, proper insurance can minimize financial losses. When renting a car, it's important to know what insurance options are available and to choose the most comprehensive coverage for your person and your vehicle. On the Sky Horse website, we have listed the Chinese description and coverage of each insurance option for your convenience.

Suggested Practice:

Read the terms of your insurance policy carefully when renting a car and consider purchasing a broader coverage plan, such as collision damage waiver (CDW) or comprehensive coverage.
Find out if the credit card used to rent the car covers rental car insurance, and make sure to add an extra driver (if there is a second driver) to the rental.

Choose a car rental company that can be contacted immediately.

When driving in an unfamiliar city, it is important to keep your signal up and be able to contact the rental car company for emergency services. In the unfortunate event that you are involved in a traffic accident or other emergency while driving in Los Angeles, being able to contact the rental car company or emergency services quickly will better protect you and your family and friends.

Suggested Practice:

Make sure your cell phone has power and an Internet signal, and keep the rental company's contact information and local emergency service numbers (e.g., 911).
If you are involved in a traffic accident or emergency, contact the relevant authorities immediately, with your personal safety as your first priority.

Los Angeles Car Rental Conclusion

Driving in Los Angeles brings more flexibility and freedom to explore the city without restrictions. Although there are some risks and conditions that require extra care, being prepared and aware of the conditions in advance will greatly enhance the smoothness and safety of your trip. If you choose Sky Horse to rent a car, we will not only provide you with a detailed Chinese Driver's Guide for reference before your trip, but also keep Sky Horse's LINE open 24 hours a day, so that any time you have a question, you will have someone to answer it, accompanying you to travel around Los Angeles with peace of mind.