No escape from rush hour

There once was a time when leaving for work at 5:30 a.m. meant Brigitte Paulicivic practically had the San Diego Freeway to herself Sue Doyle in the Daily News.

Driving to her Woodland Hills job before the crack of dawn, the Santa Monica woman thought she had discovered a great little secret about commuting and avoiding traffic tie-ups.

Not anymore.

The early morning drive that had been a breeze for Paulicivic for the past five years is now crowded with other vehicles.