Fresh Food...Traffic Jam
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
This Ralphs truck blocked all but one lane of Flower streets for several minutes during Friday rush hour while it waited for a gate to open.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Drivers headed south on Flower street at 5:30 this evening got plenty of time to ponder Ralphs "Fresh Food...Lower Prices" slogan as they attempted to weave around this delivery truck, which sat blocking all but one lane for several minutes as it waited for a gate to be opened allowing it access to the Downtown store.
Three lanes of traffic were cut off, with drivers peering back to see just what the hold-up was after they were able to squeeze around in the far lane.
Drivers must wait for a store employee to open the delivery gate, which means that unsynchronized arrivals can lead to just this sort of backed up situation.
CB on October 16, 2009, at 09:05PM – #1
I am laughing my ass off right now. I watched you take this picture in the gutter as I was walking to Ralphs!! I was wondering who would be doing something like that.
Jasmijn on October 17, 2009, at 12:14PM – #2
This happens quite frequently, though fortunately not always at rush hour. Some drivers wait in the far lane in front of the parking lot until the gate is open, while others pull into the driveway immediately and then wait until somebody comes, tying up all lanes in the meantime.
The Ralph's trucks also often sit honking their loud horns for admittance when they arrive, which is less than considerate at 2 am, especially on a block made up entirely of apartments and hotel rooms. Surely they can notify Ralph's by radio or cell phone when they are a block or so away so that the gate can be opened for them without them blocking the road or honking as they wait.