Opening Up Our Clogged Roads

The story “7 Ways in Search of a Will� (by Hugo Martin, Aug. 29) called for building new roads and freeways, adding lanes to existing freeways, expanding effective transit services, etc. All of these suggestions will do little to ease the traffic glut in our major metropolitan areas. Each suggestion also involves huge funds from sources that are already bankrupt.

There is an eighth way that can be implemented in a few days, and it will cost nothing. The plan is based on a feasible and equitable system of restricting driving on alternate days. Not only would traffic become manageable immediately, but the plan would save motorists thousands of dollars annually in fuel, maintenance and insurance costs. Less traffic would result in fewer vehicular accidents and deaths. It would make carpooling almost mandatory. The toxic air we breathe would be cleansed. Dependence on Middle Eastern oil would be greatly reduced. The fatal effects of global warming would be eliminated. The plan may seem radical, but serious problems usually require radical solutions.

Louis M. Neumark

Tarzana

The story offered more inside-the-box thinking on how to relieve the congestion on Southern California roads. The best way to accomplish this is through a dramatic increase in the win-win development of telecommuting programs by businesses.

Steve Smith

Costa Mesa

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Martin’s article mentions the experimental High Occupancy/Toll, or HOT, lanes on Interstate 15 north of San Diego. There is a variation of this on the 91 Freeway, a 10-mile stretch called the 91 Express Lanes. Everyone--single occupants and carpoolers--pays a toll. No politician has suffered any repercussions because single-driver vehicles use the toll road.

Steve Repasky

Cerritos