Southern traffic spurs growing support for pay-to-use express lanes

Behind the WheelDriver Issues
Written By Jennifer Joslyn

🛣️ Southern traffic spurs growing support for pay-to-use express lanes.

While trucks will not be eligible for these lanes under the proposal of Governor Bill Lee (TN-R), advocates are claiming that the lanes will be of benefit to everyone, including those who are on the main stretch of freeway. The South has a strong tradition of individualism and a preference for limited government intervention in people’s lives. This ethos may make Southerners more skeptical of pay-to-use express lanes, which may be seen as a government imposition on their freedom to use the roads they have already paid for through taxes. Additionally, the South has a high poverty rate. which means that many people may not have the financial means to pay for express lanes. Some critics have begun referring to the lanes as “the Lexus lanes.”

Read more from AP News ▶

Featured
New Jersey Challenges New York's Congestion Pricing Plan in Court
New Jersey Challenges New York's Congestion Pricing Plan in Court

New Jersey has taken legal action against New York's congestion pricing program, arguing that it unfairly shifts traffic and pollution burdens to its communities.

New Yorkers Weigh In on NYC's Congestion-Pricing Plan to Ease Manhattan Traffic
New Yorkers Weigh In on NYC's Congestion-Pricing Plan to Ease Manhattan Traffic

Hundreds of New Yorkers chimed in on Monday, the last day to have their say on a major transportation project in NYC.

America's Top Trucking Bottlenecks Revealed
America's Top Trucking Bottlenecks Revealed

The intersection of Interstate 95 and State Route 4 in Lee, New Jersey remains the most congested trucking bottleneck, according to the American Transportation Research Institute's annual list.

$350 Million Grants Available for State Crash Data System Enhancements
$350 Million Grants Available for State Crash Data System Enhancements

States have until May 1 to apply for grants of up to $350 million from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to enhance and standardize their crash data systems for seamless electronic sharing with the federal agency.

Viral Thanksgiving Traffic Video in Los Angeles Sparks Amazement, Frustration, and Political Debate
Viral Thanksgiving Traffic Video in Los Angeles Sparks Amazement, Frustration, and Political Debate

A video showing heavy Thanksgiving travel traffic on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles has gone viral on social media, with people expressing both amazement and frustration at the congestion.

Fatal Crash Involving Charter Bus Carrying Students Shakes Ohio Community
Fatal Crash Involving Charter Bus Carrying Students Shakes Ohio Community

A tragic accident occurred on an Ohio highway when a semi-truck rear-ended a charter bus carrying students from the Tuscarawas Valley Local School District, resulting in three fatalities and 15 injuries.

Los Angeles Leaders Tackle I-10 Freeway Closure and Traffic Woes Amid Storage Yard Fire
Los Angeles Leaders Tackle I-10 Freeway Closure and Traffic Woes Amid Storage Yard Fire

Los Angeles city leaders convened to address a storage yard fire causing the closure of the I-10 Freeway, preparing for expected traffic disruptions.

Wildfire Smoke-Induced Crashes on Interstate 10 Near New Orleans: One Fatality, Eight Injuries, and Lingering Concerns
Wildfire Smoke-Induced Crashes on Interstate 10 Near New Orleans: One Fatality, Eight Injuries, and Lingering Concerns

Early Tuesday morning, a series of at least five crashes occurred on Interstate 10 outside New Orleans, resulting in at least one fatality and eight injuries.

Major Coal Train Derailment Closes I-25, Stranding Commuters and Prompting Traffic Solution
Major Coal Train Derailment Closes I-25, Stranding Commuters and Prompting Traffic Solution

Over 30 coal cars derailed near I-25 due to a broken rail, causing a bridge collapse and closing the interstate.

Survey Reveals U.S. States with the Highest Road Rage Incidents
Survey Reveals U.S. States with the Highest Road Rage Incidents

A recent study conducted by Forbes Advisor has identified Arizona as the state with the highest incidence of confrontational drivers in the United States.

Industry Bodies Clash Over Costs and Effectiveness of Truck Underride Guards
Industry Bodies Clash Over Costs and Effectiveness of Truck Underride Guards

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) proposal for side underride guards on newly built large trucks has led to opposing views from prominent industry bodies.

NHTSA Reports Decrease in Traffic Fatalities during the First Quarter of 2023
NHTSA Reports Decrease in Traffic Fatalities during the First Quarter of 2023

According to projections released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), traffic fatalities in the first three months of 2023 decreased by approximately 3.3% compared to the same period in 2022.

$570 million in grants will be used to eliminate numerous hazardous rail crossings
$570 million in grants will be used to eliminate numerous hazardous rail crossings

The Biden administration is granting $570 million to address the issue of railroad crossings in 32 states, where longer trains have been causing traffic delays and hindering emergency response.

Parking Challenges Plague America: Exploring the Growing Problem
Parking Challenges Plague America: Exploring the Growing Problem

Traffic jams are a common occurrence on highways, often caused by factors like accidents, construction, and sudden increases in traffic volume.

Canadian Pacific and KC Southern Railroad Merger Announced
Canadian Pacific and KC Southern Railroad Merger Announced

The merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern has now been finalized, giving rise to a new competitor to the trucking industry.

Southern traffic spurs growing support for pay-to-use express lanes
Southern traffic spurs growing support for pay-to-use express lanes

While trucks will not be eligible for these lanes under the proposal of Governor Bill Lee (TN-R), advocates are claiming that the lanes will be of benefit to everyone, including those who are on the main stretch of freeway.

For 20 years, London’s Congestion Charge has proven successful
For 20 years, London’s Congestion Charge has proven successful

London's Congestion Charge is a fee imposed by the government to drivers who wish to enter certain parts of central London during designated times.

5 years standing: NJ’s Fort Lee named top truck bottleneck for fifth consecutive year
5 years standing: NJ’s Fort Lee named top truck bottleneck for fifth consecutive year

For the fifth year in a row, the American Transportation Research Institute has named Fort Lee, New Jersey the country’s worst trucking bottleneck.

Highway congestion cannot be solved by adding more lanes to freeways
Highway congestion cannot be solved by adding more lanes to freeways

Studies have shown that adding more lanes to a highway often leads to an increase in traffic, known as "induced demand".

“Congestion Toll” is progressing in NYC
“Congestion Toll” is progressing in NYC

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is set to proceed with an environmental assessment and long-delayed public hearings for the toll, meant to be issued to those driving through highly-congested areas of the city.

2021 reports the highest traffic fatality rate since 2005
2021 reports the highest traffic fatality rate since 2005

Traffic fatalities are still on the rise after a 16-year record.

Jennifer Joslyn
Previous

A purchasing consortium may be underway for critical electric battery resources in the US
Next

Electric buses struggle to get through a rough Chicago winter