Holiday Traffic

Another Columbus Day has come and gone and we “freeway fighters” who do not get the holiday off have again enjoyed being able to drive to our jobs on uncrowded roads at speeds approaching 55 m.p.h.

How wonderful not to have to dodge jackknifed 18-wheelers, chemical spills, fender-benders and overturned campers! It really opens our eyes as to how many of our fellow commuters are government employees who crawl to their jobs, park their cars all day in a government parking lot and then crawl on back home at 5 p.m.

It’s obvious that crowded freeways cause mishaps. There simply isn’t enough road to handle the volume.

Voluntary car-pooling is urged on us by Caltrans but many of us need our cars for our jobs. How about this for a plan: if you want to work for the government (and get all those great holidays) and you don’t need your car for your work you will be required to drive each day to a parking area near your home, to board a bus that will take you to your job and then reverse the process at 5 p.m. You will save wear and tear on your car, your nerves and think of the gasoline you can save! The parking lots can be placed at strategic points under the freeways where space already exists.

The problem is becoming worse each day. Those of us who commute fair distances can attest to the seriousness of the situation. If we can get the bureaucrats to act on this we may actually have usable freeways again.

Are you listening out there?

MARY ANNE RAPUANO

Thousand Oaks