Is Amanda Bynes Motoring Into Rehab?

Wonderwall, Monday, September 17, 2012, 2:10pm (PDT)

By Kat Giantis

• Is Amanda Bynes planning a pre-emptive rehab strike? Could be, according to Rumor Fix, which believes the troubled vehicular menace may be about to check into a 30-day in-patient program at a Southern California treatment center.

  It appears Bynes, 26, whose BMW was impounded on Sunday after she was pulled over (yet again) for driving with a suspended license, could be opting for rehab to help steer clear of possible jail time on a DUI charge and two alleged hit-and-runs.

  If the rehab report is true, treatment might be the best place for the starlet, whose car problems have culminated in recent days with cry-for-help behavior such as smoking a suspicious substance behind the wheel (she insists it was tobacco) and driving aimlessly around the Burbank Airport (because clearly no one notices odd conduct at an airport).

  Meanwhile, TMZ claims she's rebuffed friends' offers of help, insisting "everything's fine" and that reports she's suffering from mental health issues "are being blown way out of proportion."

  Either way, perhaps rehab could help focus Amanda on what's important in life, a list that doesn't include anything tweeted by Lindsay Lohan.

  Seems Bynes didn't appreciate her fellow cautionary tale of childhood fame tweeting about her endless string of vehicular incidents.

  "Why did I get put in jail and a nickelodeon star has had NO punishment(s) so far?" kvetched Lindsay, whose greatest hits include two DUI arrests, multiple probation violations and an alleged car chase down the Pacific Coast Highway.

  (Also: Cram it with walnuts, Lindsay.)

  Amanda supposedly texted a friend on Monday and railed, "I HATE being compared to her," because unlike Lindsay, she hasn't spent time in the pokey or been busted for drugs.

  Bynes believes Lohan "needs to focus on herself and leave her alone."

  So, here's a question for the ages: Why is Hollywood resurrecting the '80s cheese-fest that was "Manimal" but these two still aren't booked for a joint reality show?

  RELATED ON WONDERWALL:

  Amanda clips another car

  Innocent faces, not-so-innocent stars

  Post-DUI, club-hopping Amanda Bynes is snapped driving and texting