Wrong direction on carpool lanes

Re “Kids aren’t carpoolers,” editorial, Jan. 23

Your editorial completely misses the mark. It insinuates that the congestion of carpool lanes during rush hour can be partly attributed to mothers with children and single drivers of hybrids. As a hybrid driver, I’ve observed that this is simply not the case. These types of drivers account for a small proportion of the vehicles utilizing this lane.

The real problem are the single drivers who use the express lane illegally. Many outlying congested freeways, such as Highway 14, are rarely patrolled. Thus, numerous drivers flagrantly use the carpool lane without fear of being cited. I would think that with the money collected from the enforcement of these types of violations, California could finance the expansion of carpool lanes on every state freeway.

LARRY TAMBLYN

Palmdale

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I don’t get your logic. If I am driving seven 13-year-olds in my SUV, that would seem to infer that there are seven fewer vehicles on the road at that time, would it not? The point? It’s not the kids in the carpool; it’s their parents giving their cars a day off.

TERRY SCHAUER

Westlake Village

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I agree that the main purpose of carpool lanes is to alleviate traffic, but to relegate it primarily for employed licensed passengers is ridiculous. Has this writer ever had a screaming baby strapped in a car seat? Trust me, every driver on the freeway wants that parent to use the carpool lane to get the screaming child home. The parent is distracted and the child is distressed. Utilizing the carpool lane to reach a calm end is best for all.

KAREN MACK

Costa Mesa