Prop. 103’s Legacy

While there may be many valid reasons to oppose the proposed pay-at-the-pump insurance plan, perhaps my own story can demonstrate one of its strengths:

For four years I lived in Irvine and commuted to downtown Los Angeles, an approximately 104-mile daily round trip. My insurance premium was around $800 per year. This January I moved to Echo Park, drove my car into the garage, locked the door and began riding the bus each day. My insurance premium is now over $1,700 per year. Same coverage, no accidents, no tickets, no claims in 10 years of driving.

Now assuming I drive an average of 30 miles each weekend, that works out to 3 cents per mile to commute to Orange County or 54 cents per mile to ride the bus to work. So much for energy conservation, so much for smog reduction. I’m moving to Pasadena where my 40-mile commute will bring my rates back down to $900! Something doesn’t add up and, just maybe, “pay-at-the-pump” can bring the equation back in balance.

CHARLES CRAWFORD

Los Angeles