L.A. Edgy Amid Highway Shootings
File-In this Jan.15,2010 file photo showing a combination of three separate photographs, the various stages of an annular solar eclipse seen over Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon blots out all but a ring around the sun. This year's solar show can be viewed from eastern Asia to parts of North America. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena,File) / Eranga Jayawardena
A string of highway shootings since mid-March has left four people dead in Southern California and raised fears of a return to the bad old days of the 1980s, when the Los Angeles area gained a reputation for freeway gunplay.
Authorities have increased freeway patrols and considered installing recorders on roadside traffic cameras.
Five people have been shot in their cars in apparently unrelated — and definitely unsolved — attacks. In at least three cases, the shooters were in other cars.
Manny Padilla, a California Highway Patrol chief in Southern California, said the bloodshed might reflect frustration with gridlock.
"Driving behavior has changed tremendously with all the congestion here. That causes people to be extremely short-tempered and inconsiderate," he said. "The courtesy we used to extend often isn't there anymore."
© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Authorities have increased freeway patrols and considered installing recorders on roadside traffic cameras.
Five people have been shot in their cars in apparently unrelated — and definitely unsolved — attacks. In at least three cases, the shooters were in other cars.
Manny Padilla, a California Highway Patrol chief in Southern California, said the bloodshed might reflect frustration with gridlock.
"Driving behavior has changed tremendously with all the congestion here. That causes people to be extremely short-tempered and inconsiderate," he said. "The courtesy we used to extend often isn't there anymore."
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