Q: I don’t have sympathy for many who ignore their FasTrak payments. Although toll scanners can’t be one hundred pc appropriate, I feel the difficulty of inaccurate scans and costs is overblown. I feel many drivers imagine they will ignore tolls with impunity. I used to be glad to learn that this isn't the case, that at car registration time, the piper must be paid.
I additionally imagine the system design is flawed. The concept that all drivers will do the appropriate factor, and can all the time keep conscious of the charges they're accumulating, is a fantasy. It has put untold bridge toll collectors out of labor. There ought to all the time be not less than one choice to pay your toll to an individual.
Additionally, it has turned what was once lanes for two or extra drivers into toll roads requiring 3 passengers and a FasTrak system (which can have been left within the household’s different automotive that morning) to keep away from the toll.
I actually detest these variable toll quantities. After all there shall be those that problem whether or not they entered the toll lane at a distinct time and at a distinct value than the invoice reveals! This technique could be very irritating, and site visitors designers who carried out this method deserve each headache they get attempting to implement this.
Joe Urbassik, Palo Alto
A: Feedback on FasTrak flooded into Roadshow after current columns, and preserve rolling in. I'll print extra quickly.
Q: We're heading to LaLa Land quickly and have been warned by a buddy that Interstate 5 is just not the best way to go due to the large variety of potholes. She drove it final week and mentioned most site visitors was utilizing the quick lanes, and that the potholes are uncontrolled.
Freeway 101 is longer, however with wildflowers beginning to bloom, that route could be very interesting.
Ideas?
Cheryl Klynn, Los Altos
A: I-5 potholes are quite a few. Caltrans just lately stuffed some, and 101 is an honest choice. The wildflowers alongside the best way could tip the stability that path.
Q: A current column had a author who mentioned, “Yellow means cease.” After we have been studying to drive within the early 60s, we have been advised by our highschool driver’s schooling instructor (fantastic Mr. Invoice Kraus) that yellow means, “Decelerate, put together to cease.”
I nonetheless assume that's the most correct definition of a yellow gentle. As you method a light-weight, if it’s yellow, start slowing down.
Scary word: A buddy’s grandson mentioned that to him a yellow gentle means, “Punch it and also you may beat the crimson.”
Lynda Martinez, San Jose
A: Scary, certainly, and sure, you might be appropriate that yellow means decelerate and put together to cease.
Search for Gary Richards at fb.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.