Q: I just returned to the Bay Area after spending two weeks as a volunteer National Disaster Responder for the American Red Cross. Fort Myers, Florida, was just beginning to recover the weekend after Hurricane Ian hit.
Many gas stations were closed. When a gas station was open, long lines of cars waited to fill up, just like during the 1907’s gas crisis.
When we finally got to the pump, I was shocked to see the price was $3.04/gallon for regular. How is such an enormous gas price disparity possible between our two states?
Tammy Salwasser, Livermore
A: According to AAA, the current statewide average price for a gallon of regular gas is about $3.40 in Florida and just over $6 in California. Are we being gouged here? Yes. And there are other factors in play. Florida can get gas from any refinery, while California is limited to a special blend available from only a few refineries. Kudos to you, by the way, for helping with Hurricane Ian clean-up.
Q: I read your piece regarding the lack of replacement catalytic converters. There are alternatives to new Toyota parts.
I understand that readers may be fearful about many things with such a solution, including whether a replacement part that does not come directly from Toyota would be as good as a Toyota part, whether it would be good for the environment, and so on.
I am an engineer and know a couple of things about various vehicles.
Perhaps your readers might investigate alternative sources of catalytic converters.
Perhaps, also, Governor Newsom might grant a temporary waiver for a straight-through catalytic converter bypass, easily fabricated at any decent shop, so that drivers could drive their cars while awaiting the Toyota parts.
Steve Stutman, Boston
A: Interesting ideas. As catalytic converter thefts continue to skyrocket, I expect drivers will begin to look at alternatives to Toyota and other vehicle manufacturers’ parts.
Q: While driving round trip to Santa Barbara from San Jose, I spotted exactly one highway patrol officer along Highway 101.
Coming home, I was angered by a tailgater as I tried to pass a big rig. Further up 101, I spent 20 minutes in a traffic jam caused by an accident and soon saw the tailgater’s car, completely demolished.
Had that driver seen a cop car, they might have slowed down. More cops on patrol could save lives.
Tom Watts, San Jose
A: The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration also says that more cops on the road could help curb reckless driving.
Guess-the-price-of-gas contest
Predict the average statewide price of gas on Nov. 15 and you can win a free fill-up for your car, courtesy of Mr. Roadshow. The deadline is Nov. 1. Send your entry with “Gas contest” in the subject line to mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Lifestyle News Click Here
