Taxi/Uber Rhyme & New Toll Rates For the Highway 520 Bridge Effective July 1, 2023 & WA ST Gasoline Now Highest In USA & Troublesome Intersection: S 129th And MLK JR South & Rioting In France

 Yikes!

Driving taxi & Uber not so fun

dealing with every kind of fool

beneath the shining sun

be they in your car or on the road

you know these a-holes are

human toads 

you simply wish would disappear 

and stay away 

not just for tomorrow but to eternity's

last day 

hip hip hurray!

Speaking of Irritation: More $$$ out of your Pocket

Leaving the University District heading east, the best way across Lake Washington is the Evergreen Point 520 Bridge but as of July 1st, you will be paying more.  Back in 1973, the toll was one dollar which was reasonable, though even better after the toll requirement was removed.  But since tolls have been reinstated, they keep going up in a reminder that Seattle is the 16th most expensive city on the planet.  Weekday rates are increasing between 20 cents and $1.10 depending on the time of day.  Peak rate time periods have expanded to 7-10 AM and 3-7 PM.  Peak rates top out at $4.50.  Weekend rate hikes vary between 20 and 40 cents, with the highest peak rate at $3.50 when driving between 11 AM and 6 PM.  You can be assured that many more drivers will now be clogging I-5 S-bound to reach the non-tolled I-90 Bridge.  It happened the last toll increase and there will be a repeat of same behavior.  Now don''t honk that horn, its not polite!

Gas Prices as High as Mount Rainer 

Yes, the Evergreen State now has the current distinction of have the highest average gasoline prices in the country.  In Seattle, it's over five dollars.  Want cheap gasoline?  Move down to Mississippi where gas is averaging $3.00 per gallon.  Hey, on my most recent car trip I filled up in Oregon for as little as $3.49 per gallon.  And now, holy cow, you can pump your gasoline in Oregon minus an attendant.   Ain't that good!?  National average price this 4th of July 2023 weekend is $3.24 per gallon of gasoline.  Last year it was $4.98.

No Fun on the Martin Luther King Way South Going through Skyway

Good recent article by Mike Lindblom in the Seattle Times describes the chaos at one particular State Highway 900 intersection.  Knowing that stretch of roadway well, it has been bad news for a very long time, speeding a very serious issue.  Coming off of I-5, drivers routinely speed up 70 mph and more.  It is nuts!   More concentrated enforcement is the answer.  How often have I seen stopped motorists?  Never is the sorry plain answer.  This weekend the full moon is beaming down upon an already deranged humanity, translating into a very good moment to avoid that troublesome section of Skyway/Tukwila MLK Way.  In general it's a wild part of Seattle/King County, the local residents sometimes rabid, ready to bite.   And that 129th intersection will not change for a very long time.  Approaching it, I advise patience and caution, and please, slow down.  Skip the jive, stay alive!

Where Ever You Are, Do Not Simply Drive Away When Stopped By The Police

For the past 6 days, there have been rioting across France after a cop killed a 17 year-old driver who began moving his car after a traffic stop.  The cop fired point blank into the car, killing the kid.  When stopped by the police, it is extremely important that you do not do anything that might be perceived as threatening.  Any sudden move and you might die.  Keep your hands in clear view.  Endure the insult and live.  Having been stopped between 75-100 times over my taxi years, I understand that the police are in complete control of the situation.  The vast majority are not nice.  Be careful!