If there are federal standards for interstates, why are California’s so much worse? Roadshow
Q: After a recent road trip through Oregon and Washington, it was obvious to me that the road surfaces of interstate highways were much smoother and generally in better condition there than in California. Why is that? Aren’t the standards for the surfaces of federal highways the same throughout the country?
Rich Traber, Fremont
A: You are correct. However, local tax dollars are often used to supplement federal highway funds in order to increase maintenance money.
In California, local tax dollars have gone to widening projects, such as Interstate 880 in the East Bay, Interstate 80 in the North Bay, and Highway 101 in the South Bay. California earns a “D” grade for the condition of its roads, as judged by a nationwide engineering group.
Slowly, this situation will get better. California Senate Bill 1 has raised the gas tax by 25 cents per gallon to address the state’s $52 billion road maintenance backlog. The backlog gets more expensive if you let the road conditions continue to get worse. At the current rate, it will take 10 years to work through the backlog.
Q: In your response to Steve Rempel, you said, “Speeding does not get you there much faster, yet radically increases risks to you and others on the road.”
Excellent point.
Here is another aspect of speeding that anyone who complains about the cost of gas should consider.
If you hate $6-per-gallon gasoline, how do you feel when you find out your speeding raises that cost to over $8 per gallon? Don’t write a letter to President Biden or vote Republican because of the cost of gas. Just slow down and save money.
Jerry Infeld
A: Go to the U.S. Department of Energy website at www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.jsp where you can enter your exact model car and see how much gas costs you per gallon, based on your driving speed.
Q: Your reply to the question about driving with a dog on your lap didn’t sound quite right, so I googled it.
Driving with a dog (or cat) on your lap is not against the law in California. That activity isn’t addressed in the law. What is against the law is distracted driving, which you can certainly be guilty of if you are paying attention to an animal on your lap, rather than to your driving.
Bottom line: driving with a dog on your lap is not specifically illegal but can likely result in driver behavior that is.
Duane Hinders, Mountain View
A: Yes, so true.
Q: When will Caltrans cut the tall, ugly and dangerous weeds I see, especially along Route 17 and Route 1?
Tom Butler, Santa Cruz
A: Weed cutting usually takes place after Labor Day.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.