HOV lanes need help

Your Sept. 5 editorial on doubling up use of HOV lanes as toll lanes was a useful contribution to Utahns' education about this new phenomenon in our state. But there is more to be said. Car-pool lanes have operated in many cities for many years. Why can't we borrow some of their experience instead of trying to reinvent the wheel? Most places I've lived provide pick-up zones near freeway entries so those wishing to use the HOV lane can add an extra passenger or two to qualify for HOV use. And many reserve the lane for HOV traffic only during morning and evening rush hours.

Moreover, if we are to sell permits for single drivers to use the HOV lane, why not sell permits to out-of-state vehicles to use our freeways at all, as is done in Switzerland. And why not require a special permit for semitrailer drivers to use the freeways other than at night? This would relieve daytime and rush-hour traffic enormously.

David Timmins

Salt Lake City