Global warming has done terrible things to the L.A. freeway system. Sales of the Toyota Prius were high (as were, probably, the buyers...) and now all those people are getting on the freeways and screaming along at a blistering 50 mpg.
Used to be if there was a traffic jam there was an accident. Nowadays, the only thing you'll find at the beginning of a traffic jam is a Toyota Prius.
Your pal,
Meat.