tarabell
07-15-2006, 05:34 PM
The explosive interest in hybrid vehicles - brought on by higher gas prices resulting from seasonal refinery changes and the escalating turmoil in the Middle East - has nearly exhausted a year-old program permitting solo hybrid drivers in car-pool lanes.
Under a pilot program launched in August, the state Department of Motor Vehicles has been selling special permits to hybrid owners, allowing them in car-pool lanes even if driving by themselves. The lanes were designed to carry cars with at least two passengers and hefty fines are levied on violators.
"We are very surprised. We knew it would promote people to buy hybrids but we didn't expect them to go through these 75,000 decals this fast," said Josh Townsend, spokesman for Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, D-Woodland Hills, who authored the legislation in 2004 that created bumper sticker permits.
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_4054875
Under a pilot program launched in August, the state Department of Motor Vehicles has been selling special permits to hybrid owners, allowing them in car-pool lanes even if driving by themselves. The lanes were designed to carry cars with at least two passengers and hefty fines are levied on violators.
"We are very surprised. We knew it would promote people to buy hybrids but we didn't expect them to go through these 75,000 decals this fast," said Josh Townsend, spokesman for Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, D-Woodland Hills, who authored the legislation in 2004 that created bumper sticker permits.
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_4054875