Freeway Speeding

Your Feb. 4 editorial “Car-Pool Cowboys” left the impression that Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol are unconcerned about excessive speed on high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) freeway lanes. Let me assure you, and your readers, that both Caltrans and the CHP are very concerned when motorists exceed the legal speed limit of 55 miles per hour.

Caltrans has the responsibility of administering California freeways--and to that end--we plan, design and build the system with one goal in mind: It must be the safest structure we are capable of creating while incorporating the latest technology for the benefit of commuters.

However, there is one element we have no control over: that is the driver!

HOV lanes are not speedways. They were and are being constructed for the purpose of saving commuters time and money by ride-sharing which, in turn, reduces congestion and controls vehicle emissions into the air.

Caltrans does not “suggest (or otherwise advise) that the harassed driver get out of the way,” as noted in your editorial. HOV lanes are meant to serve those making through trips on dedicated car-pool lanes such as the El Monte Busway on the San Bernardino Freeway.

HOV lanes feature “CHP Enforcement Areas,” which allow traffic officers to stop speeding motorists without impeding traffic. Given the fact that there are 511 freeway miles in Los Angeles County to monitor, the CHP is doing an excellent job in curtailing freeway violators.

Over the next 10 years, every freeway in Los Angeles County will feature HOV lanes as part of Caltrans’ on-going traffic management program to assist drivers in bypassing congestion in a safe manner and--always within the legal posted speed limit.

JERRY B. BAXTER

District 7 Director

Caltrans