Penalizing Those Who Are Helping Others
California has, it seems, established another dilemma for its people.
I am blind and require a ride to work each morning. Fortunately, one of my co-workers lives across the street and has been very willing to take me to work each morning, that is, until, he realized that his insurance company wanted a $130 annual premium increase to cover the new, regular rider.
On the other hand, the crowded streets and freeways of Los Angeles cry for relief during rush hours, and when people share rides, traffic congestion is abated. And, apparently, insurance rates rise. This is hardly conducive to encouraging ride-sharing.
It is irrelevant that I am blind. It is relevant that I am seeking a ride from a friend and co-worker and we’re penalized--he financially through higher insurance rates and I by having to seek less reliable means of transportation.
And we are all penalized as we negotiate increasingly crowded streets.
NICK DOTSON
Los Angeles
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
