American Notes CALIFORNIA

Modesto, Calif., inspiration for hometown boy George Lucas' film American Graffiti, is putting the brakes on the weekend rite of cruising. Last week the city council voted to slap fines of $75 to $250 on teenage cruisers when traffic on the main drag, McHenry Avenue, goes into gridlock.

Kids in their souped-up Chevys have been parading up and down the four-mile strip, honking horns and whistling at the girls, since the 1950s. But with 5,000 cars choking the avenue on Friday and Saturday nights, rock throwing, fighting, drugs, drinking and backseat sex have replaced good old-fashioned gawking. Police say the motorized mayhem puts a drag on protecting the rest of Modesto. "I've seen them take weapons and drugs from the kids," said Mayor Carol Whiteside. Last fall there was even a gang-related shooting.

The new ordinance, effective May 5, doesn't exactly outlaw cruising. But when the traffic gets bumper-to-bumper bad, police will hand out warnings. Second offenders will be fined. Still, cruisers are defiant. "I've waited all my life to cruise," said Billy Moorehead, 17. "We're going to stay."