No Gains in Reducing Reliance on the Auto

“Outlook Is Bleak for a State Stuck in Traffic” (Dec. 29) overlooked the strong connection between transportation and energy. The year 2003 did not see any reduction in our over-dependence on the automobile. Rather, our sprawling auto- dependent way of life continued to spread, no meaningful improvements in fuel-economy standards emerged from Washington and important energy- efficient transit projects were stalled by lack of financing.

Meanwhile, there are signs that it will become increasingly difficult to meet the world’s growing energy needs with the finite and depleting resources available. Southern California seems strikingly unprepared for a future in which conventional energy resources become significantly more expensive. Thus, for me, the transportation highlight of 2003 was the introduction of the second-generation Toyota Prius, which gets more than 60 miles to the gallon.

Andrew Shaddock

Manhattan Beach