Traffic in Los Angeles is a beast. You know it, I know it, and the California Highway Patrol definitely knows it. But today, things got particularly messy on the 110. If you were stuck in that soul-crushing crawl or saw the flashing lights near the South Bay, you're probably wondering exactly what happened on the 110 south freeway today.
Honestly, it wasn't just one thing. It was a combination of a serious early-morning collision and the kind of "freeway physics" that turns a small mishap into a city-wide headache.
The Morning Collision at Gaffey Street
The real trouble started while most of the city was still reaching for their first cup of coffee. Around 12:17 AM, a traffic collision was reported on the southbound 110 at the Gaffey Street off-ramp. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) logs, this wasn't just a simple fender bender.
They labeled it as a collision with "unknown injuries," which is usually dispatcher-speak for "it looks bad enough that we're sending everyone."
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The accident occurred right on the off-ramp transition. When a car hits the barrier or another vehicle in that specific spot, it creates a "cork" effect. Even in the middle of the night, the 110 doesn't truly sleep. The wreckage meant that the Gaffey Street exit—a major artery for anyone heading into San Pedro—was effectively a no-go zone for a significant chunk of the early morning.
Why the 110 South is a Magnet for Trouble
If you drive this stretch often, you've probably noticed that the transition points near the end of the Harbor Freeway are notoriously tight. You have people trying to merge, people trying to exit toward the Port of Los Angeles, and everyone is usually doing about 15 miles per hour over the limit until they realize the lane is ending.
It's a recipe for the exact kind of "unknown injury" wreck we saw today.
Construction and the "Hidden" Delays
But wait, there's more. While the Gaffey Street crash was the "main event" in terms of emergency lights, it wasn't the only thing slowing you down.
Caltrans has been busy. Very busy.
If you felt like the lanes were narrower or the merging was more aggressive than usual, you aren't imagining things. Across the L.A. basin, including connecting routes like the 91 and the 71, there have been massive overnight closures for guardrail installations and maintenance. Specifically, the SR-91 East connectors were shut down until 5:59 AM today.
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When you close a major connector like the 91, the traffic doesn't just disappear. It bleeds. It leaks onto the 110 South and the 405, creating "phantom" traffic jams. You're sitting there, bumper to bumper, wondering why nobody is moving, even though there isn't a crashed car in sight. Basically, it’s a domino effect.
Breaking Down the Sigalert Reality
A lot of people throw the word "Sigalert" around like it’s just a synonym for "traffic." It's actually a very specific thing named after Loyd Sigmon.
Today’s mess on the 110 South didn't officially trigger a day-long Sigalert like some of the more catastrophic tanker fires we’ve seen in the past, but the impact felt the same. By the time the CHP cleared the debris from the Gaffey incident, the morning commute had already begun.
Here’s a quick reality check on how these delays stack up:
- The Clearance Window: Even after the tow trucks leave, it takes roughly 15 minutes for every 1 mile of backup to "flush" out of the system.
- The Rubbernecking Factor: People slow down to look at the flares and the pushed-aside debris. This adds a "visual" delay that can span miles.
- The Surface Street Surge: When the 110 South gets choked, everyone hits Waze. Suddenly, Figueroa and Vermont are packed, which makes it even harder for people to get off the freeway, backing things up even further.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re reading this because you’re about to head out, or you’re wondering if it’s safe to head back down toward the harbor, here is the move.
First, check the CHP CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) logs directly. It’s the most raw, unfiltered way to see what the cops are seeing in real-time. Second, if you see that Gaffey or the 91 connectors are showing "Red" on your maps, take the 405. It’s longer in miles, but usually more consistent when the 110 decides to act up.
The most important thing? Watch your speed at the transitions. Most of what happened on the 110 south freeway today could have been avoided if people just gave each other an extra car length of space.
Stay safe out there, keep your eyes on the road, and maybe leave five minutes earlier tomorrow. L.A. isn't getting any less crowded.
Next Steps for L.A. Drivers:
- Check the California Highway Information site before leaving.
- Avoid the Gaffey Street off-ramp during peak hours if you see any "Traffic Hazard" reports on your GPS.
- Ensure your vehicle's dashcam is active; in "unknown injury" or "hit and run" scenarios like those seen recently on the 110, footage is the only way to protect yourself legally.