Hybrid drivers soon to lose solo access to California carpool lanes

This article by Tony Bizak of the Sacramento Bee informs drivers of that a new law will affect California Drivers.
 
Talk about sticker shock.

On Friday, 85,000 heretofore privileged California solo drivers whose cars boast yellow “Access OK” decals will no longer be allowed to use the state’s carpool lanes during commute hours.

The six-year program that helped popularize the Toyota Prius and other hybrid gas-electric vehicles is ending, leaving some yellow sticker owners unsettled and angry.

“I will definitely be grumpy Friday morning,” said Shannon Genzel, who lives in Elk Grove.  She drops her son off in Carmichael, then heads back downtown in her Honda Civic hybrid, saving more than an hour daily flying solo in diamond lanes.

She recently took time off from work to test alternative routes and will bring music CDs Friday to stay mellow if she gets caught in traffic.

The author of the landmark program, Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, says she has been getting calls from upset sticker owners, but points out the program was never meant to last forever.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/06/30/3737658/hybrid-drivers-face-sticker-shock.html#ixzz1QoXCMN6e

Alot of people are pretty upset about this change.  Will this create additional traffic for the rest of us?  Let us know what you think? Cliff Cottam Insurance Services.