Freedom Rider
Posted on | June 1, 2008 at 9:08 am | 4 Comments
Here’s an update on a couple of the traffic-related pet peeve things I’ve written about lately.
First: Red light cameras, which I last blogged about here. The city of Denver is definitely going through with installing the cameras and increasing the yellow light times. I’ve seen them installing the camera at 6th & Kalamath, and it sounds like it will be going online in a few weeks. I haven’t noticed if they’ve increased the yellow light times yet, but I’m going to try to pay more attention to that. I think I would notice a change from 3 to 4 seconds, but I’m hypersensitive.
Second: Hybrid cars being allowed to use HOV lanes, which I brought up here. Looks like the state is going through with this plan, although they are limiting it to 2,000 hybrids by lottery, and will probably only include certain models. I’m sure my Prius would make the cut. I went ahead and submitted an application online, so we’ll see what happens. It would be nice to be able to use that HOV lane on Santa Fe during rush hour when I go to visit my dad at his nursing home after work. But that’s probably the only time I’d need it. Usually when I’m near other HOV lanes, I’ve got someone else in the car anyway and so can use the lane.
Latre.
Poignant Search Term Of The Day That Led To This Blog: “what can i do to keep from wearing bifocals”.
Comments
4 Responses to “Freedom Rider”
June 1st, 2008 @ 4:35 pm
From what I have seen from my own reaction to the cameras, I’m pretty sure they are more likely to cause accidents than prevent them. Instead of determining if it is safe to stop or not I am finding myself looking for cameras to include the likelihood of a ticket into my decision. That will lead to hesitation, and hesitiation leads to accidents. The TABOR amendment is killing Colorado financially, these cameras are another attempt to get enough money to tread water.
June 1st, 2008 @ 8:37 pm
As long as they don’t ridiculously include hybrid SUVs…that get like 24 mpg instead of 20. There are a couple of businesses in town with spots signed “reserved for hybrids”: on principle I’m tempted to park there – let them prove a Mini Cooper isn’t a hybrid, or that there sign has any legality. All I know is some asshole with an SUV shouldn’t be getting any privileges.
June 2nd, 2008 @ 4:53 am
While I support letting Priuses (Priui?) in HOV lanes, I’m not sure somebody’s 25 mpg super SUV hybrid is meeting the intent.
June 2nd, 2008 @ 5:03 am
I support special restricted-use dirt tracks for hybrid SUVs. They can bypass all the mountain bikers and forest critters on the way to the top of the mountain.