Tire Flaps Stop More Than Mud

• Since most states require that lights be turned on when windshield wipers are used, why not have manufacturers create lights that automatically turn on with wipers? Many people don't seem to obey that law, so why not help them? It shouldn't be difficult or expensive for auto manufacturers.

• Outlaw white halogen headlights! They are a real problem for oncoming drivers.

Richard J. Eckenrode

Rockville

Manufacturers should do that.

I'm not sure if those very bright headlights are halogen or high-intensity lights that use xenon gas. Whichever, I'm for banning them, as well as the use of auxiliary lights, except in fog.

Rush Hour Towing

Dear Dr. Gridlock:

Every weekday afternoon at around 5 p.m., I notice a fleet of District towing trucks removing cars on Seventh Street NW between Constitution and Independence avenues.

I understand that this is a no-parking zone during the afternoon rush hour, but I've observed that, since Seventh Street is a six-lane road, traffic always flows smoothly even with cars parked on each side of the road.

Why does the city go to the expense of perpetuating a routine that seems to add no value? Also, most of the towed cars have out-of-state tags and are no doubt driven by tourists. I wonder how they track down their towed cars.

Lawrence R. Impett

Washington

By calling the city's all-purpose hotline, 202-727-1000. Could the towing be better employed elsewhere? Probably, based on your description. Such as at H and I streets, major east-west routes that have become more congested since the federal government closed Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House.

But I'm not a critic. We want more parking tickets written for illegal parking during rush hours, and I'm glad to see the city doing it, at least on Seventh Street NW.

Dear Dr. Gridlock:

I have read many of your online chat postings about illegally parked cars during rush hours. I got a ticket at 7:02 a.m. in the 5400 block of Connecticut Avenue NW. I have seen the same officer parked in the area at 6:50 a.m., ready to write parking citations at 7 a.m.

The city seems to allow no grace period.

Heath Baumann

Washington

I once got an evening rush hour ticket at 4:03 p.m. You're right, the city provides no grace period for violators. And this is good. I deserved my ticket, and I'm glad to see law enforcement officials writing tickets for violating rush hour traffic restrictions.

If the city responded even more fully to the problem, traffic would move more smoothly in rush hours.

Transportation researcher Diane Mattingly contributed to this column.

Dr. Gridlock appears Sunday in the Metro section and Thursday in Extra. You can write to Dr. Gridlock, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071. He prefers to receive e-mail, at drgridlock@washpost.com, or faxes, at 703-352-3908. Please include your full name, town, county and day and evening phone numbers.