Car-Pool Lanes: the Pros and Cons

It was with great relief that I read . . . that the trial period for the car-pool (lanes) has been extended an additional nine months. I have had to take my small daughter to Childrens Hospital of Orange County on Friday afternoons for the past several months. Before the car-pool lanes were in operation, the trip from Corona del Mar to CHOC would take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. Now we drive the distance in less than 20 minutes!

Joe Catron, a “Drivers for Highway Safety” founder, is totally off-base in his criticism of the car-pool lane. I have never experienced slower traffic engaged in high-speed lane changes. On a few occasions, motorists have crossed the double yellow strips, and from time to time there have been lone motorists in the car-pool lane illegally.

For the most part, however, the car-pool lane works beautifully. It is amazing that so many people still choose to drive in their cars alone, inching along in rush-hour traffic. Even my 8-year old daughter wondered why most of the drivers didn’t share a ride with a friend and save gas and time.

Supervisor Ralph B. Clark and the Orange County Transportation Commission are to be commended for extending the car-pool lane trial period for another nine months. It is a safe, sane solution to our congested highways.

LUCILLLE HARRISON

Corona del Mar