Slowing down can help get more out of your vehicle
Q
I am really glad I have an electric car, a 2013 Nissan Leaf, and enough solar panels to charge it exclusively at home. My range is only 70 miles, so I keep my speed to no more than 60 mph to extend the range. It will be good if gas cars also slow down on the freeway.
I agree that it is necessary as an EV driver to contribute to road maintenance and prefer a mileage-based method.
Once a year, I sell my excess solar power back to PG&E for a measly 3 cents/kwh. They sell it to other customers for at least 7 times that price. This and time-of-use-rates are designed to discourage residential solar power generation. Until this changes, the electrical supply is not going to be able to handle more EVs, nor all-electric homes giving up natural gas.
— Sandra Adams
A
Electric vehicle owners now pay a fee when they register their cars to help counteract the loss of gas tax funds from their use of that vehicle.
Q
With two fatal Amtrak accidents recently, in Brentwood and Missouri, one has to ask why every railroad crossing in America doesn't have stop signs, at the very least.
— Larry Edson
A
More warning devices are needed. To fully protect crossings could cost up to $400K per crossing.
Q
I'm glad you mentioned slowing down. Sadly, drivers still accelerate through red lights in the Bay Area.
We have freeway and bridge cameras to enforce laws. Why can't we have them at our busiest intersections? They would save lives.
— Richard Gusick
A
Cities have the power to install red light cameras, but many are reluctant to do so for the backlash they would receive.
Q
We have relatives in Bishop. When I drive the shortest route, Highway 120 through Yosemite, I have to pay the park entrance fee. Now, 120 is closed to me unless I make a reservation. Seems unfair.
— Ron Yarolimek, Antioch
A
They're doing this to control high demand for park access and there are no plans to change it. Yosemite would have been a beautiful part of your drive to Bishop.
Q
I agree with the writer requesting slower speed signage for the interchange at Highway 87 and Interstate 280. While they are working on it, it's also DARK there at night. I drove it at night for the first time recently and suddenly realized, “Now I see why there have been so many crashes here.” If you're not super familiar with the interchange, the dark lanes make it more difficult than most freeway driving. — Della Smith
A
Caltrans has been too slow to improve this area. Better lighting and pavement repairs are badly needed.