It saves gas and time in traffic

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, December 18, 2002

In a recent article Bill Maher said that driving alone helps Saddam, since having a passenger or two would save gas. He is right. But even more importantly it would reduce traffic congestion probably more than all the road and transit plans combined. I recently was a passenger in a car going north from Renton about the time the Boeing shift let out. We drove from Renton to Bothell at 60 mph in the HOV lanes while the other three lanes were at a standstill or going about 10 mph.

Why don’t the environmentalists start a program to get more cars with passengers? I don’t understand why people who work in one company do not arrange to meet at a Park &Ride lot and take one car to their work destination. Apparently, the reduced driving time and gas savings are not enough incentive. Perhaps they could be given a lottery ticket at the lot for each passenger. There must be other incentives, too.

Edmonds