Since 1986, Ron Shaffer , better known as Dr. Gridlock, has written his column, Dr. Gridlock , for The Washington Post. In it he tracks the region's traffic woes, finds the correct officials to answer drivers' questions and responds to some of the hundreds of letters he receives each month. He describes himself as "the Ann Landers of commuters."

Dr. Gridlock was online Monday, June 19, at 1 p.m. ET.

In submitting questions, please specify your first name, last name, town and county -- the same procedure Dr. Gridlock prefers for his newspaper column.

If you included your name, your question may appear in an upcoming column, and may have been published in this discussion.

Dr. Gridlock appears Sunday in the Metro section and Thursday in Extra. You can write to him at 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.

A transcript follows.

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Dr. Gridlock: Hello, chatters. Well , this is the end for me in this venue today. I've enjoyed your comments and questions and feel good this was another way to get your comments heard.

I'm looking for another venue to have online chats, give speeches and air featured questions. I'm open to any suggestions.

I'd also like to bid adieu to my producer Katie McLeod.

Here we go with your final thoughts...I should be able to stay on until about 3 p.m.

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Washington, D.C.: Dr Gridlock...wondering if you could shed any light on DC's new guest parking process....Until now a legitimate DC resident could go to the nearest police station and receive an guest parking pass exempting them from the 2 hr tickets...Imagine my horror when i went down to get a pass for my mother, who is a frequent visitor, and was told that this is the last pass I could receive for 1 year!!! When did this go into effect?? When I asked the officers at the station what I could do I was told that this isnt their problem and that I needed to contact the City Council about this. So people who have frequent overnight visitors from VA etc such as girlfriends, relatives etc are just out of luck??? This is insane!! And DC wants more people to move into the city??? I cannot tell by the way they are treating their taxpayers now...who do I contact about this?? Thanks

Dr. Gridlock: I haven't heard of it. I can understand your distress. The city faces an ever-growing crisis with lack of public parking.

I would go to what agency issuess Residential Parking Permits, probably the Deparment of Motor Vehicles or the Department of Public Works. Find out what the rules are.

I wonder if your mother could take a train to Washington?

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Washington, D.C.: Mr. Shaffer,

On behalf of many in my family, just wanted to thank you for all you've done to improve public safety around the area, and let you know that many of us will miss your column. I know I'll have one less reason to flip through certain sections of The Post on Thursdays and Sundays.

Dr. Gridlock: Thank you so much...

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Alexandira, Va.: I was wondering if you knew when the construction on the GW Parkway in the northbound lanes by National Airport was going to be completed? Would certainly make for a better commute in the morning! Thanks

Dr. Gridlock: I believe it is by the end of this year...

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Washington, D.C.: What do you think about dedicated turnstiles for SmartTrip cards in the metro? I'm sick of waiting for crowds of tourists blocking every turnstiles trying to figure out how to use their paper farecards. It works for EZPass; it could work the same for SmartTrip.

Dr. Gridlock: Sounds like a good idea...

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Herndon, Va.: Two days this week I need to get to Ballston from Herndon/Chantilly area for all day meetings that begin at 8:30am. What time do you think I need to get to the Vienna metro parking lot to make sure I have a spot to park and get to the meetings on time, with a little cushion?

Dr. Gridlock: My guess is 7:15 a.m., but someone who knows more should tell me when the parking lot fills up at Vienna...

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Arlington, VA: Traffic would VASTLY improve if people removed their heads from you-know-where. Say what you want about building new roads, urban sprawl, etc, but the cause of most traffic delays is that most people drive like they're not fully engaged.

1. Keep up with the car in front of you.

2. Don't slow down to look at a cop writing a ticket on the side of the highway.

3. Ditto accidents.

4. At a traffic light, when the car in front of the car in front of you (two cars ahead) releases his brake, YOU RELEASE YOUR BRAKE. Every car length between you and the car in front of you equals one car that will not make it through the light.

It's so simple. Unfortunately, so are most people.

Dr. Gridlock: Thanks for the tips

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Anonymous: Ron:

I am waiting to see if I am one of 20 at FDA that qualify for a buyout. I saw your note that you will take a Post buyout. Good luck for the future. I have read you as long as I can remember and have always appreciated the common sense approach to traffic matters. You have shown a lot of patience and charm. I am sure your family will be happy to see more of you.

Gary Masters

Dr. Gridlock: We'll see about that. Thanks for such a kind note...

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Rockville, Md.: (submitting early due to dr appt). I recently got a citation for running a red light. It was caught on camera. The citation, however, has the wrong license plate number (admittedly, the photo is my car). If I go to court, will this be thrown out due to the error?

Dr. Gridlock: I don't get it. You say the car is yours, but not the license plate? How could that be?

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Alexandria, Va.: Dr. Gridlock,

Thanks for twenty years of service. My reaction when the column first started was "Great ! Could there be anything more important to my daily life.".

I'd like to add that if I was to name one thing that could improve driving in the region, it would be for every driver to say to themselves: We all have to get somewhere. Let's make it as easy and pleasant for all of us as possible.

Dr. Gridlock: You mean consideration? Courtesy? Naaah.

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Crofton, Md.: What is the best way to go from Crofton, MD to Gaithersburg, MD for my daily commute? I use route 3 south to 50 west to outerloop of beltway to 270 north in the morning and reverse in the evening. The morning traffic on the outerloop from IKEA to Georgia Ave is horrific. Are there any better alternatives? My work schedule is from 9am to 5pm. Thanks.

Dr. Gridlock: How about Route 198, skiping the worst of the congestion.? Perhaps other commuters have a tip.

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Arlington, Va.: What exactly is the construction going on to Independence Ave. south of The Mall that is taking months to complete? Is it just repaving?

Dr. Gridlock: Cubs, gutters, sidewalks, sorm sewers and a complete rebuilding of the road. Scheduled completion: this Fall.

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South Riding, Va.: I am looking forward to the annual decrease in traffic during the summer months as people change their schedules and take time off from work for vacations.

Considering the amount of time I spend sitting in traffic, it is clear that the roads were not designed to handle the volume of traffic the has become common in the Metro DC area. With the continued growth and construction in the region, the problem can only get worse.

At what point will the system come to a complete standstill? It takes years to build a new road or widen an existing road (not to mention the time it took to debate the actual need to build the road and get the needed approvals and funding to begin construction) but a new office park or housing community can pop up in a matter of a few months.

I used to think that telecommuting was a possible solution to the traffic problems, but with the recent stories about computers being stolen out of peoples homes causing concern about identity theft, more companies may start questioning allowing their employees to work outside the office.

Will the D.C. area roads and transportation networks ever be able to catch up with the population?

Dr. Gridlock: No. Especially when you've got a jurisdiction like Loudoun County voting in a pro-growth Board of Supervisors when Route 50, 7 and the Dulles Greenway are already so overcrowded.

The major reason for our gridlock is supervisors who approve huge development without the accompantying improvements to accomodate that growth.

These supervisors should be voted out of offic, not in.

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Fairfax, Va.: Thank you for your great work. In this land of awful traffic, we will sorely miss your insight! Very best wishes on your retirement and here's hoping it is only "semiretirement" and we see and/or hear you in another format.

Dr. Gridlock: I'm open to that. Thanks.

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Alexandria, Va.: First, congratulations on your impending retirement. Despite the monetary savings, your departure is a loss to The Post -- and to us readers (sniff sniff).

I also wanted to echo your comments about real-life highway practice by recounting my trip back from Pennsylvania yesterday. My car encountered electrical trouble in Maryland, likely due to a bad alternator, and I was forced to pull over and get a tow. But to get to the shoulder of the interstate, I had to cross several lanes of traffic on the Baltimore Beltway -- with my turn signal malfunctioning, my gauges going haywire, and my throttle not responding (apparently the alternator had drained the battery and was sapping power from the spark plugs).

I still consider it a minor miracle that I was able to handle all this and pull over without causing an accident on a busy interstate. Reading your column right after the incident brought home the fact that had I been a newly- licensed driver, I probably wouldn't have been so lucky. These types of situations are difficult even for experienced drivers, let alone teenagers still in high school -- which is why many hours of training are the only thing that will keep people from panic in a difficult situation.

I'm single right now, but when and if I have kids I will definitely heed your sage advice.

Dr. Gridlock: Well thanks. The disabled vehicle on the Beltway is another item to add to the checklist...

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Washington, D.C.: Doc, we will be sorry to see you go. I agree with your point that parental involvement in driver training would help a lot. But, we can't legislate that. What we can legislate is a serious training program for drivers. Driver's ed is a joke in this country. Why not make it rigorous? It could be incorporated into school curricula as a class (elective). Every time I drive, I am astounded at the number of people I see behaving rudely, unsafely, or inconsiderately on the road. The rules and guidelines they violate -- unsafe passing; unsafe speed differentials; failure to signal; unsafe lane changes -- were probably told to them a couple times in a classroom, but never made true subjects of study. Driving is a very, very serious activity, and drivers should be trained accordingly. Thanks for all the chats.

Dr. Gridlock: Thank you. My impression is that Driver's Ed at schools is better than the commercial driving schools. But, as you say, you can't legislate driver's ed. So, I recommend the parents take over, and practice and practice until their charge is ready...

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Kingstowne, Va.: Dr. G--

Thanks for all the columns over the years. I'm disappointed to see that you are calling it quits as I have been a reader from the beginning back in the 1980s. I'm wondering if you have a comment on what topic discussed in your column has engendered the most heated discussion.

My guess is that it was probably back in the days of Project HERO (when you could call in to report HOV violators) when that guy Dick Naylor said that people should report motorists carrying children because carrying children does nothing to reduce congestion. I recall a weeks-long firestorm in the Dr. Gridlock column.

Dr. Gridlock: That was certainly one of them. Another was from the discussion about the propriety of cruising in the left lane.

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Great Falls, Va., formerly Washington DC: Dr. G! SO sorry to see you go, your column has been such a source of solace to us -- a voice of reason and good sense in the midst of this area's chaotic traffic scene. Before you go -- have always wondered how frustrating it must have been to issue such sensible suggestions (my favorite is to ticket the begeezus out of the rush-hour lane-parkers in downtown DC), and have them continually ignored. A simple solution to a simple problem, beneficial to 99.99 percent -- and completely, totally disregarded by those who could implement it. If this column didn't have the power to make that happen, what hope is there?

Dr. Gridlock: None. We must remember that the city wants everyone to come into DC via mass transit. Whatever makes single-occuppant vehicles move about for freely runs against that goal. That, I believe, is why traffic police are missing in action...

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Marybury, Md.: I'm going to miss you. Thanks for all of the good information over the years.

Dr. Gridlock: Thank you.

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Rockville, Md.: I am going to miss your writing, to be sure. But I hope you are going to be happy and well for a long time.

Dr. Gridlock: Thanks for the kind words...

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Rehoboth Beach, Del. (formerly Arlington, VA): Does DC have any plans in the works for a direct connection between the Anacostia and SE/SW freeways. I know plans for a new bridge over the Anacostia were scrapped. Thanks! Jay Schiavo

Dr. Gridlock: Yes. It is the reconfigured 11th Street Bridge, which will allow direct connections between 395-295. Work to start in 2007 and be completed in 2009.

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Fairfax, Va.: You asked for suggestions for a new venue?

How about as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors! I'd not just vote for you, I'd write checks, knock on doors, anything it takes!

Dr. Gridlock: Aren't you kind. We'd be better off with a mindset like yours or mine than the ones we've got now...

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:-(: Where are you going?

Dr. Gridlock: I have no plans. I'm looking at a possible Knight Fellowship to teach journalism and democracy in developing countries, or possibly some Dr. Gridlock extension in local television or radio.

I'm open to your suggestions...

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Falls Church, Va.: No question. I'm just writing to say thank you for all you've done on behalf of Washington's commuters over the years. We'll miss you, but good luck in whatever you take up next.

Dr. Gridlock: Thank you so much,

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Fairfax, Va.: We'll miss you, Dr. G!

In Fairfax County, a disproportionate number of Supervisors of both parties appear to receive not only their largest campaign donations, but also current and former paychecks from developers, their consultants & lawfirms, major landowners and real estate interests. (Chairman Connolly, and Supervisors DuBois, Kauffman, and Hyland all are or have been paid by these special interests, and developers are Chairman Connelly's and Supervisor Smyth's largest contributors.)

Do you see this kind of unbalance in other jurisdictions, and do you think there is a connection between the high representation of developer backgrounds on the County Board and our traffic and transit mess?

Dr. Gridlock: Yes, yes and yes. But what amazes me is that these people keep getting reelected! I hear from people who can't get out of their driveways, yet they'll re-seat the supervisors who put them in that position.

There has got to be a grass-roots uprising so that supervisors know it is suicide to keep develping without tranasportation improvements...

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One point on Virginia law: You mention that the Loudoun County supervisors should be voted out. In fairness to local governments, their powers to control development are extremely limited by Virginia law. The place you want to start is with the delegates and senators in Richmond. In essence, if land has ever been zoned for a particular type of usage, the county can't really stop the development of that land.

Dr. Gridlock: I'm somewhat aware of that, but I'm also aware of downzoning. Take the developement in Loudoun County just west of Route 15 on Route 50. Those parcls are restricted to one dwelling per ten acres. No townhouses there. Now what can't zoming for other areas of the county be zoned similarly?

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Falls Church, Va.: I think it was George Carlin who said it best: "Anyone driving faster than me is reckless, and anyone driving slower than me is is an idiot"

Dr. Gridlock: I like that

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Purcellville, Va.: You are so right about the Loudoun County Supervisors -- except for Scott York, they just don't get it. Well, I guess they have no interest in "getting it" when the builders are lining their pockets.

Hey, happy retirement. Your column will be greatly missed.

Dr. Gridlock: Thank you. I recall that in the last election, maybe 37 percent of the citizens of Loudoun voted for supervisors. We've got to do better...

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Fairfax, Va.: What's your take on "transit-oriented development?" It seems like a good idea to put more density near transit, but proponents don't seem to account for the strains on Metro, local roads, parks, schools, etc. Being close to Metro seems to be worth any cost to some. Fairfax is trying to come up with a definition of "transit oriented development," even thought they've already declared to be getting it at Vienna Metro. The chairman of that committee very recently worked for a major landowner at a proposed Tyson's rail station. Do you think this is an appearance of a conflict of interest?

Dr. Gridlock: The people who will benefit from 13 new high rise towers at the Vienna metro station are developers and their supervisor friends. Certainly not the commuters. The Orange Line is already heavily congested, and there are no improvemnts planned for I-66.

The supervisors say everyone in these million dollar dwellings will use Metro. Hah!

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Fredericksburg, Va.: So, in just two years we'll have North-South traffic flying over the new WW bridge, breezing through Springfield on flyovers to get to..... Three lanes in Newington. Have we just spent years building the East Coast's biggest parking lot?

Dr. Gridlock: Those improvements should be huge. You've got the WW Bridge going from three lanes in each direction to five, the Beltway expanded to five lanes for seven miles, new interchanges at Route 210, I-295, Route 1 and Telegraph Road, a higher drawbridge that will only have to be raised ten perecent of the current total...

And a Springfield Interchange that separates local, through and express traffic. If your point is the three lanes of I-95 to Newington will become a bottleneck, please know that VDOT is looking hard at expanding I-95 by two lanes in each direction from the 14th Street Bridge to Massaponaz, for toll lanes. They could be done as soon as 2010.

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Alexandria, Va.: Aigh! I've been caught sleeping on this early retirement deal. I can't believe we're losing you! Thank you for the great work you've done.

My final question, then: We just drove to Philly and back this weekend and were driven to distraction by people not using the left lane as it was meant to be used - i.e. for passing. Are there enforcable statutes on the books regarding people who camp out in the passing lane?

Dr. Gridlock: Only in Virginia, where law requires the left lane cruiser to move to the right if the overtaking vehicle signals his intent, like with flashing lights or sounding horn.

The cruiser has to move over no matter the speed of the overtaking vehicle. D.C. and Maryland have no laws that I'm aware of regarding use of the left lane. The common advice is to use it for passing only, but that's just advice...

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Fairfax, Va.: Regarding the earlier point on VA law limiting local jurisdiction's power, that's only half right. There are two phases in VA land-use: planning, and zoning. Localities have ALL the power they need to control growth at the planning phase. Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun cry crocodile tears about how mean old Richmond won't let them alter things after zoning, which is true, but the local politicians always "forget" to mention that they have plenty of power at the planning phase. My own Supervisor had me fooled for more than a year before I learned the truth. We need reforms both locally and in Richmond. Tough to do, yes, but any attempt would be better than the current situation.

Dr. Gridlock: Yes. I believe that will come when we have 24 hour gridlock.

And we should remember that when Gov. Kaine promised to give local officials more power to restrict growth, our local supervisors were silent. Shows where their interests are...

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Fairfax, Va.: Keep in mind, a lot of people, myself included, are looking forward to the new Vienna development. Easy access to Metro, and -anything- that increases the supply of housing in this area is most definitely a good thing, period.

Dr. Gridlock: To accept this argument, I think you also have to accept this one: "Fairfax County is obligated to provide housing for all the people who want to live there."

And I reject that. At some point, the county reaches capacity. Suppose you ran the MCI center and booked Paul McCartney. You sold out in a day. Would you keep selling tickets, say 100,000 or 200,000 more, beyond capacity?

That's what the supervisors are doing, bit by bit.

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Reston, Va.: Just got back from lunch break and had to post this; I just saw a guy eating corn on the cob behind the wheel of big work truck. Classic.

Dr. Gridlock: That's tricky to do with one hand. That's also a new one on me. I've heard of changing diapers, reading the Bible, playing musical instruments, all while driving. I"ll add corn on the cob to the list....

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a parking solution: Dear Dr. Gridlock:

I have a suggestion for the person looking for a parking permit for her mother. We have a guy near Stanton Park on Capitol Hill who has gotten at least twelve 30-day "temporary" parking permits over the last year. These 30 day permits can be issued from any police district--the ones this guy gets are always issued from a different one than ours. Obviously the "temporary" parking permit isn't computerized. I'd also suggest that the vehicle in question be an old beat-up vehicle that's really large--like a 20-year-old VAN. If you can get a series of 30-day permits on an out-of-state vehicle, you never have to worry about illegal parking or having to get a DC tag!

Obviously, I'm trying to humiliate the guy who parks this van on our street. Our local police guy tried ticketing this van but since other police districts were issuing legal permits there wasn't anything he felt like he could continue to do.

Dr. Gridlock: I'd bring that to the attention of your Councilperson. Sounds like an abuse. I remember some time back that anyone could get "Emergency No Parking" signs from a local hardware store. Maybe they're printing these, too.

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Reston, Va.: Dr. G-

Good luck in your future endeavors!

Have you heard of any efforts to enforce the HOV campers? You know, the people who pull onto the shoulder of the southbound 14th street bridge to wait for the HOV restrictions to be lifted.

It's absolutely terrifying to drive onto the bridge around 6PM as dozens of cars are pulling onto the roadway from a dead stop on the shoulder.

Why not tickets for all of them?

Dr. Gridlock: No. The Bridge belongs to D.C. Police, and they don't issue traffic tickets.

The area across the bridge belongs to Virginia State Police, and they are not effective in coralling HOV violators.

Maybe you want to drive in the left lanes around this hazard...

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Springfield, Va.: Dear Dr. why oh why is the light at Frontier Dr (heading North from the Metro station) and the Springfield/Franconia Parkway configured the way it is? If the light for the southbound traffic is green the light for the northbound traffic is red. Southbound traffic can ONLY go straight.

Dr. Gridlock: Ask Steve Titunik, VDOT's spokesman for that area. He'll get you an answer. Call him at (703) 383-2530.

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Vienna, Va.: Are you aware of the proposed dense development at the Dunn Loring station on the Orange Line? 770 new residences are planned for the 15 acres now occupied by parking lots. Once again, as it did at MetroWest at the Vienna station, WMATA intends to sell a portion of its land and eliminate any possibility of future increased parking for commuters coming in from points west.

You may recall that once ground breaks at MetroWest we lose 1295 parking spots. WMATA calculated the current "unfilled parking demand" at the Vienna station (ie. commuters who cannot get parking spots) at 800, and proposed a 2100 parking garage to be built by 2009, but this did not take into account the fact that Vienna is the terminus station and many many commuters come in down 66 to park and ride. Then, of course, after MetroWest was approved, WMATA authorized only a 1300 parking garage. Now we will NEVER have even the 800 slots we are currently down, let alone anything to accommodate continuing growth.

And now, of course, this is all happening again at Dunn Loring. I believe there is a re-zoning hearing in July. You should come!

Dr. Gridlock: I'm going to leave it to my successor, although it sounds better than anything at the Kennedy Center.

What next? Parking gives way to high rises at West Falls Church and the four new rail stations at Tysons Corner. That's what we need, more traffic at Tysons Corner.

You folks need to band together and turn out officials who are adversely affecting your quality of life. Other than collecting your taxese, they don't care about you.

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Rockville, Md.: Good Dr., I just wanted to mention that last week I saw dedicated turnstiles for SmartTrip at the South Entrance of Dupont. The station manager (I'm assuming) had taped a handwritten sign over the farecard acceptor on a single turnstil. The sign read that the turnstile was for SmarTrip only! I never moved so fast through a turnstile! Great Idea!

On another note, I was at Rockville Station last week and the SmarTrip machine (to buy them) was broken. When this happens how do tourists, irregular parkers, etc...get out of the lots? Are they let out or told they have to get back on, go to another station with parking to buy a card, and then go back?

Dr. Gridlock: I don't know. I would think there are more than one SmarTrip vending machines per station, aren't there?

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Phone numbers: Before you go today (sniff, sniff) is it possible for you to publish the names and numbers of the MD, DC, and VA DOT, police, Metro, and anybody else we may need to contact regarding various traffic situations?

Best of luck in your future endeavors. You lucky devil!

Dr. Gridlock: I'll consider that in my final column this Sunday. My numbers are for press inquiries. Are there any in particular you're interested in?

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Northern Virginia: Dr. Gridlock, what is your opinion of people who drive with pets in their car?

I have a dog, and the only time he rides in the car is when I am taking him somewhere like to the vet. However, it seems that there are many people who take their dogs with them everywhere.

Earlier today, we had several email messages and PA announcements because some had decided to bring their dog to work and leave him in the car in the parking lot. With temperatures this morning beginning in the 70s and forecast to reach 90, I can't begin to think what someone would be thinking to drive anywhere with their dog unless it was absolutely necessary.

Dr. Gridlock: Owner's shouldn't leave pets (or infants) in closed-in cars in the heat. Passersby should notify police. Interior car temperatures can climb to fatal levels in only about 15 minutes...

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Sterling, Va.: For the poster in Herndon asking about parking at the Vienna Metro... If he's trying to take the Orange Line into town, he'd be better off parking at the Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride and take either the 980 or the 950 Fairfax Connector to the West Falls Church station. I did this for a year when I was working downtown, and it works a lot better than trying to fight the parking at Vienna. Parking is never an issue, and you aren't fighting the traffic either.

Dr. Gridlock: Thank you.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: Good luck in the future. I hope wherever you end up that your commute won't be a bad one. Hopefully, you won't have to make regular trips into D.C. and deal with the traffic mess that D.C. officials can't seem to get a handle on!

Dr. Gridlock: If you folks have taught me anything, it's how to avoid Gridlock. Believe me, I'll go into one eyes open!

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Washington, D.C.: You wrote, "We must remember that the city wants everyone to come into DC via mass transit." Well, wouldn't it be nice if mass transit operated in a way that made that possible! I live inside the city, in a part that depends on busses (the nearest Metro-rail station is over a mile away), and WMATA keeps cutting back the service and even canceling routes.

Dr. Gridlock: Well, that's the conundrum, isn't it. Use it, but it's not there...

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Houston, Tex.: Is that person who asked the question about the red light camera - who admits the car in question is theirs - REALLY trying to get out of paying the fine because the citation had the wrong license plate? Geez. You were wrong. You know it. You admit it. Just pay the fine and stop trying to weasel out based on a technicality.

Dr. Gridlock: That one puzzles me...

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Fairfax, Va.: More housing at Dunn Loring as well? Sweet! Oh, wait, well, not good for existing homeowners. Guess they'll just have to be content with their 300 percent profit they'll make if they move.

Dr. Gridlock: It's not the profit of the single family, one level homes I'm worried about. It's the new strain on transportation from more high rises at Dunn Loring.

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WOW!: Have you heard any updates on the proposed MTA Perryville-Elkton commuter bus? Last, I heard it was approved but the bus had not been delivered. You would think after nearly 2 years, they would have delivered the bus by now...

Dr. Gridlock: No, but I'll give you a number to find out. Its Bryon Johnston at 1-410-1016/17.

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Good luck!: Just wanted to say I've been reading you since before I could drive (and I'm now 31--hope that doesn't make you feel old!) and I have really valued your columns, insight and suggestions over the years. Best of luck to you!

Dr. Gridlock: Thank you so much,

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re: dogs in cars: I'd also like to bring up that when you drive with your car, he should be properly restrained. If you have to stop short, the dog will go flying into the front seat. If you're in an accident, your precious puppy who you have to have with you at all times will go straight through the windshield. If the dog has his head hanging out he window and a truck passes by too closely, the poor pooch will be decapitated.

Yes, dogs like to ride with their heads hanging out the window. So do some children and adults, yet you'd never let your child run all over the car as you barrel down the Beltway, would you?

Dr. Gridlock: I think a metal cage buckled into the back seat is the way to go with pets. For their safety...

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Arlington, Va.: I've been reading your column since forever, but only recently started reading the on-line chats. Congratulations on taking the buyout (wish I could do that), and good luck.

Regarding driver ed: I agree with the poster who says it is pathetic. I don't think it matters whether it's through the school system or at a commercial school. I have two teenagers, 16 and 18, who are pretty good drivers if I do say so myself. That's because I taught them. I spent probably 150-200 hours in the car with my daughter, and so far have put in about 150 with my son, who will get his license in August. Both of them attended a commercial driving school because Virginia requires driver ed and it was impossible to get into the school-run classes. I also put both of them through the Decisive Driving class out in Manassas, and both kids told me they learned "useful stuff."

The point of this rant is that parental involvement is a must. You can't just take your kid to the DMV, sign the papers, send them to driving school, and think you're done. If you do that, you are virtually guaranteeing trouble down the road (no pun intended).

Oh well, maybe you could retire to a place where people know how to drive. Is there one? Not in this country, for sure.

Dr. Gridlock: Absolutely good on you for taking control of driver training. It's a bonding experience they will always remember, and probably pass on to their children....

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Fairfax, Va.: Just came across this online tribute to you, Dr.; it speaks for many of us.

FairGrowth Salutes Dr. Gridlock

Dr. Gridlock: Thank you. I'll save that....

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Phone numbers again: Every chat, somebody will write in "Who do I contact about...." and you rattle off a name and phone number. Things like malfunctioning lights, parking violations, sometimes even city/county/state policies. I just thought it would be helpful for all of us out here in Gridlock-land to have those numbers in one place.

Dr. Gridlock: Those numbers are published annually in the Community Guide section of the Extras, which run on Thursdays.

I agree they would be useful, but I'm down to one last column now and don't think I'd have room for them...

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Merrifield: Owners of apartments at Dunn Loring are having problems selling them without a loss because of the number of new ones that were bought "for investment" that are not selling (as reported in the Washington Post). And they are building newer ones! So, the Owners are not profiting.

Dr. Gridlock: A double loss. (1) on resale (2) on quality of life

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Bethesda, Md.: I just wanted to thank you Dr. G for helping me teach my daughter to drive. That "extra" time spent with me in the car has paid off ever since. She's now 26, and a good safe driver. I have to admit, some of those early (and even some not-so-early) rides stood my hair on end - but better that than have a kid in an accident caused simply by inexperience.

Best of luck to you.

Dr. Gridlock: Thank you. Couldn't say it better. Glad you put in the time.

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Washington, D.C.: This may be akin to a "third rail," but what are the rules in DC (or elsewhere for that matter) about police vehicles parking in apparently illegal spots? I work near Judiciary Square, and every single day there are countless police vehicles parked in "No Parking Anytime" spots as well as along roads with rush hour restrictions. Furthermore, it seems like DC police officers have exempted their own personal cars too by printing DC police placards and putting them on their dashboards. Is this legal? If not, who would one call?

I don't mean denegrate police officers, but what makes their parking needs for their jobs more important than the thousands of the rest of us who have to obey the law when finding a place to park for work? And why doesn't the silly DC government build some municipal parking lots?!

Dr. Gridlock: Every now and then a supervisor will crack down on such illegal parking, but then the status quo resumes. It is annoying for the average law abiding citizen to see this, but remember most of these officers are going into police headquarters or D.C. Superior Court.

I'd let it go.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Dear Good Doctor - in your many years of observing transportation and commenting on the issues of gridlock, do you still believe that Maryland has more traffic problems than Virginia? It seems to me that most of your chatters over the past few years have complained about Virginia roads and Metro issues than in Maryland. Or, have the Maryland folks just given up voicing their complaints and shrugged their shoulders, resigned to the fact that it's never going to be "fixed"?

Dr. Gridlock: I'm afraid Virginia dominates the gridlock debate because things are much worse there than in Maryland. Maryland cares about movement with traffic circles or roundaboutss (Virginia doesn't have them) and interchanges that get rid of red lights on Routes 4, 5 and 29.

Of course, Virginia has had to spend $750 million on the Springfield Interchange, so it's not surprising they have little left for elsewhere.

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DC Parking Passes: Are you sure about guest parking passes? I have received two passes in a row (for a total of four weeks) with no question. They didn't even log my name and driver's license number in a book like they used to. They are not for a guest but for a new car I bought with temp tags, so it's a different situation, but I got the impression that the process is MORE lax now than it once was.

Dr. Gridlock: Tell us where you got these passes. Perhaps the D.C. Police are like the airlines: call them up once and the plan is full; call them one minute later and they have plenty of seats.

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Alexandria, Va.: Dr. Gridlock, I'll miss your column, but I wish you well in the future.

In regard to the need to improve driver's education. My observation is that while it is something that can and should be made as good as it can be - the bigger problem is so many drivers who have forgotten what they were taught 20, 30 years ago. Like the rule that people turning left on non-arrow green are supposed to yield to straight-ahead traffic? I can't tell you how often I've witnessed or heard about folks turning left who yell at the driver going straight. I imagine that's cause of at least a few accidents, too.

Dr. Gridlock: I think a refresher course of study, and test, would be useful...

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Wash, D.C. re SmartTrip: Hi. I don't know if you've ever discussed this, but I have two problems with SmarTrip: First, I think the cards should be free, since we still have to pay full fare to use them; Second, they enable someone to track all our movements, and that's just creepy.

Dr. Gridlock: Metro claims it's a pass-through cost for a Smart Trip card. "We don't make money on it," says spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein. The paper Farecards, cost much less.

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washingtonpost.com: The Guide: The Washington Region at Your Fingertips : These special editions of The Washington Post Extras include important information on how to get around the area, where to shop, how to contact elected officials and where to go when you need help or you want to help.

Dr. Gridlock: Thank you Katie. She provides some helpful reference information that some of you have requested today...

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DC re driver's ed: I swear this is true: I took driver's ed from a mom-and-pop outfit in DC. I got the mom. My favorite memory is when she told me that the "all-way" stop sign meant I should stop "all the way," not just slow down. She also had me drive downtown and park with the engine running on Constitution Ave while she ran inside the gov agency where her daughter worked, to pick something up. "You'll have to know how to do that," she said, as though it had been a proper lesson. Anyway, good luck to you, and to all of us.

Dr. Gridlock: Good point.

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WOW! (Again): Somehow, my first paragraph got omitted. I had said, "Wow! A 2-hour chat! That is a great finale!" Hey, maybe you could become head of MTA to get those buses delivered on time!

Dr. Gridlock: I"m afraid it's going to take a higher power than me...

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Springfield, Va.: Sorry to hear you are leaving the Post. Was wondering if you could answer a question for me. It seems like every Metro commute, morning and evening, a train breaks down and is taken out of service. I normally board at Franconia/Springfield, and have seen 6 car trains taken out of service there often, usually before 9:30am.

Yet, the train that pulls in 10 minutes later to replace it and haul away sardine-cans of tourists and commuters is always a 4 car train. Can't Metro keep some 6 car trains for fill-ins when they know broken trains will just lead to more people waiting for the next train? Some common sense would greatly improve many ridership complaints.

Dr. Gridlock: I'm going to take a stab at this: You are riding a Blue Line trains, and the replacement is a four-car Blue Line Trains. Blue Lines (and Yellow Lines) often have four car trains because ridership is least on those lines.

The Blue will get all six car trains when new Metro cars arrive, but with manufacturing defects abundent, that is starting to look like a fiasco.

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Searching for a new home: Dr. G: Based on what you know about the region's commuter woes, if you worked in downtown DC (20th and M) where outside of the District but in the "inner suburbs" would you choose to live, to have the easiest commute?

Thanks for your public service to the region's commuters. You will be missed.

Dr. Gridlock: Arlington, alongside the Blue or Orange Lines, You're smart to be asking these questions before it's too late. By the way, I should say, Arlington--if you can afford it...

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Rockville, MD: Left lane cruisers -

From the Annotated Code of Maryland. Most references are to the

Transportation Article (Tran.)

Minimum speed limit

I. A person shall not willfully operate a motor vehicle at such

a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable

movement of traffic. Tran. ¿21-804(a)

II. A person who is driving a vehicle (1) at 10 mph or more

below the posted speed limit or (2) at less than the normal

speed of traffic shall drive in the right-hand lane then

available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand

curb or edge of the roadway. Tran. ¿21-301(b)

Dr. Gridlock: I think we're talking about left-lane slowpokes. Thanks for the Maryland guidance. Wish I could come up with reference matter that fast...

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Riverdale, Md.: I have a recorded message on my phone from Councilman Tom Hendershott regarding a MTA proposal for a dedicated "busway" or light rail system to run from College Park/Riverdale Park to the New Carrollton Metro Station. Since the MARC trains stop at both Riverdale Park and the College Park/Univ. of MD Metro stop and New Carrollton (if I remember correctly) and metro certainly runs from CP/UM metro station to New Carrollton, do you see any justification or know the reasoning for this plan?

Dr. Gridlock: No. And I don't have time to research it, unfortunately. Maybe someone out there has some background....

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Driver's Ed, NoVa Style:: Dr. Gridlock, I'll miss your chats and columns. While the driver's education schools are woefully inadequate, at least most young drivers-to-be have parents or other family to instruct them. The majority of problem drivers I encounter are adults who apparently only had to pass a DMV test to be licensed. They have no knowledge of the "rules of the road" -- legal or just cultural. No question here, just a plea for real drivers education for all new drivers, and a crack-down on those who drive illegally (no license, no insurance).

Dr. Gridlock: Thanks.

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Takoma Park, Md.: Here's the "reasoning" behind letting more housing be built in places like Loudon:

If we don't let them build it here, they'll build it further out. Then they'll ride through our jurisdiction on our roads and we get no property tax benefits from it.

Dr. Gridlock: Or, they move to West Virginia and telecommute...

I take it the argument here is to let them pave over the county to accomodate new residents rather than putting up with their commuting twice a day.

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Woodbridge, Va.: Is there anyway to persuade Prince William County to investigate traffic light timing? This would so much improve the flow of traffic. It usually takes 15 minutes to get to Fairfax County border which is 2 miles from my house no matter which way I use. I can do this in 3 different directions.

Dr. Gridlock: Call Mark Hagan, VDOT's Traffic Signals Chief for Northern Virginia, at 703) 383 2872. He's a good soul...

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Washington, D.C.: Thanks for taking questions. I'm sure you've answered this one before, but I've missed it.

With respect to the walk/don't walk signals, is it ILLEGAL to cross when the sign indicates "don't walk", even when you know you'll safely make it across before the light changes? Or should you yield to turning cars and only start to cross if you have the "walk" indicator?

Thanks...

Dr. Gridlock: It's my understanding that a pedestrian cannot legallly step off the curb if facing a DONT WALK signal. D>C> is cracking down on pedestrian-vehicle incidents.

For more information on your question, call George Branyon, DDOTs Pedestrian Program Coordinator, at (202) 671-2561.

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Response to Riverdale: Metro does run from College Park to New Carrollton, but don't you have to ride all the way downtown and then all the way back out again? A busway would eliminate the need for doing that and, if there is enough ridership making this run, would seem to make a whole lot of sense. It's like taking the Metro from the Vienna stop to the King Street stop to go to the federal courthouse. You could do it, but why would you want to given how far out of the way you go?

Dr. Gridlock: thank you

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RE: Rockville, Md.: Left lane cruisers -: Does all of the cruisers in the morning see this? I think it's more of a pride issue. People don't want to move over and make the traffic flow better for everyone else.

Dr. Gridlock: I've found the slowpokes believe it is their God-given right to drive 55 mph in the left lane, and no one is going to budge them to move faster (and in excess of the speed limit),

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re problems with smartrip: If you don't like paying for smartrip or having someone track your movements, there is a very simple solution: use paper farecards.

Dr. Gridlock: If I've got this right, the plastic SmarTrip card has a chip in it, while the Farecard does not. The SmarTrip card can be used to park, on buses or on rail. The Farecard cannot. The SmartTrip Card can also hold something like $200 in fares, and can be easily resplaced if lost. The Farercard holds about $40, and cannnot be replaced if lost...

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Centreville, Va.: What's the best way to get from Centreville (near 28 and 66) to McClean during rushhour? Is it 66? Dulles Toll?

Dr. Gridlock: The answer partly depends on time of day. Try both ways and see.

(1) Route 28 north to Dulles Toll Road East to Route 123 exit into McLean or

(2) I-66 east to the Beltway north to exit at Route 123 into McLean.

Each of these routes have their own quirks that can hold ou up for long periods of time... Goood luck!

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Anonymous: Just a thought...

The proposed "Purple Line" for Metro should not go just between Bethesda and Silver Spring, but should follow the beltway around the city and tie in proposed sites like Tyson's Corner. I think this new line would alleviate a lot of congestion in the morning, and would certainly benefit me: a driver who travels from Silver Spring to Tyson's Corner everyday via car because there is no public transportation. Riders should not have to cut through Washington, D.C. to get where they need to go, especially if avoiding the city would save time (i.e., Glenmont to Shady Grove).

I realize this would take a lot of cooperation between the local governments and dedicated funding, but it is a reasonable goal and a good way to expand the current Metro service by providing relief for some and the opportunity to ride Metro for others who are too far away from or too inconvenienced by its current layout.

Thank you for your dedication and service and for listening to our complaints for so many years, Dr. Gridlock! Best of luck in the future.

Dr. Gridlock: Thank you:

The Purple Line around the Beltway is just too expensive to be built. Besides, where would you park all the cars in the morning, and how would people get from their workplace to the Purple line in the evening?

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Washington, D.C.: Good luck Dr. G. Who will we rant to now? I think we should all give up complaining. Its obvious that Virginia and DC don't care about transit. I think its funny how there are signs that say to avoid congestions use Metro when Metro is overcrowded. Maryland is the only jursidiction that sees to understand how important good infrastructure is. Living in the tri-"state" area has its advantages, but also its miuses. The politcal gridlock that keeps road improvements from happening in a reasonable fashion is a big minus.

Dr. Gridlock: As congestion increases, the chances of transportation improvements will increase because noone will be able tomove.

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Herndon, Va.: Mr. Shaffer: Thanks so much, best wishes, and remember, if everyone will just stay out of my way - my commute will be so much easier!

Dr. Gridlock: I'll pass the word. Thanks

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Fortaleza, Brazil: When I lived in DC I relied on your column for helpful information. Where will you live now? Someplace with less traffic? You can always move down here. A city of 2-3 million but not much traffc-- well, compared to DC. The subway system downtown is absolutely immaculate and never late -- once it was built, the city had no money to run it so it sits idle. Metro's future?

Dr. Gridlock: Thanks for the invitation? I'm interested in Botswana. Any gridlock there?

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Linden, Va: Dr. G,

I will surely miss your columns and chats, as they have become 'friends' of mine. Enjoy your next phase of life.

My question, how well is the I-66 Widening coming...on schedule? It needs to be done and opened just as soon as possible.

Also, to where is the new overpass that they built going to go to (between Haymarket and Gainesville). It seems to be going from one field to another.

Thanks so much.

Dr. Gridlock: I'm afraid I don't have your answers at hand, but I'll send you to VDOTs spokesman, Ryan Hall at (703) 383-2055. If you get them immediately, pls post here, Thanks,

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Washington, D.C.: Dr. gridlock, I was the person who submitted the first question about the visitor parking permits...according to the district dmv site there is no limit "Visitor parking permits are issued only to eligible District of Columbia residents and are for use only by their bona fide visitors. For purposes of issuing visitor parking permits, an "eligible resident" is any resident of a street that has been designated as a "residential parking permit" area. A "visitor" is defined as any person who visits a District of Columbia residence." No where does it say you can only have a visitor for 30 days out of the whole year...any by the way the train isn't really on option for my mother as she lives in Loudoun county...thanks

Dr. Gridlock: Well, sounds like some official is not plugged into anything. You might report the person to their supervisor.

By the way, if your mother doesn't need a car in the District, she could take a commuter bus from Loudoun County. Go to the county office at 1 Harrison Street SE, for bus maps and information.

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Washington, D.C.: Dr-thanks for all the years of good advice/answers! Like another poster, I'm also 31, and I remember reading your column around the time I started my commuting routine from Silver Spring to Gonzaga. It's been a staple ever since.

So long, but not goodbye!

Dr. Gridlock: Well, thank you.

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Riverdale, Md.: There is some backtracking involved in the metrorail to go from College Park to New Carrollton but there are also a number of current metrobus lines that go between the two as well. The F4, F6, R12, the 83, F13, and the C2 at a minimum, and that doesn't include The Bus schedule.

Dr. Gridlock: Thank you.

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Rockville, Md.: "I think a metal cage buckled into the back seat is the way to go with pets. For their safety... "

And for kids too, right?

Just wanted to add my wife and I will miss your columns. They are often the subject of heated discussion at home. Normally, the discussions are started when I say something like "See, I AM right!" You think I would learn better by now.

Dr. Gridlock: Thanks. Remember the three magic words every husband should know, "You're right, dear."

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Controlling development: One of the things that struck me this weekend about mismanagement of development in Virginia is that Virginia's answer to traffic at every intersection is a traffic light or stop sign. I drove through at least two new lights this weekend, and one of them (on Slaters Lane in Alexandria) was a LONG red with no cross-traffic. Seems pointless to make people sit there like that. Why won't Virginia consider something rational like roundabouts? I did a bit of driving in Scotland earlier this year and the traffic flow was far better with all the roundabouts.

Dr. Gridlock: Maryland has round-abouts galore, and loves them. I'm afraid the answer in Virginia is the same for roundabouts as it is for improved signage: If it isn't their idem, it's not a good idea.

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Suburban Virginia: Public transit into the city is the best alternative?

Not for the handicapped community. Elevators are often broken giving wheelchair users no options.

Look at RFK. To get to a Nats game, the handicapped elevator is on the OPPOSITE END of the platform, forcing wheelchair users to go an even further distance.

Frequent e-mails to Metro go unanswered. Ignored. I have very little reason for optimism for the new stadium. I wish they would ask the handicapped community first, rather than treat ADA as an afterthought.

Public transportation. No thanks. We'll stick to cars and traffic and poor parking.

Dr. Gridlock: I'm sorry tohear this.

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Driver's ed: I fondly and gratefully remember my driver's ed teacher, who was also the high school football coach. In the '70s, in the mountains of VA where I grew up, usually the coaches had the job of teaching driver's ed. They took it very very seriously and made sure we learned everything. Not just the rules of the road, but how to avoid dangerous situations or survive the ones you couldn't avoid. Once when he was teaching, a friend was at the wheel of the training car and a dog ran into the road. She hit the dog and it rolled up onto the windshield, but because the teacher stayed calm, and had already discussed such situations (we had a lot of deer accidents) my friend got safely off the road.

They taught parallel parking even though we didn't really need it in our one-stoplight town! (I have friends who grew up in DC and suburbs who never learned to parallel park!) Every time I've harkened back to my coaches lessons for getting out of a bad situation and managed to save my own life and maybe someone else's, I am so grateful that he took his job seriously.

Dr. Gridlock: It's something you'll remember always.

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Falls Church, Va.: I think the ticket guy meant that the photo showed the correct license plate and car, but the citation received had the plate number written down wrong...

Dr. Gridlock: Maybe

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Alexandria, Va.: Dr. G, was wondering if you can shed some light on this. When driving south on the inner loop in PG County, there are signs saying that to continue to I-95 south and Richmond, you should take Rt 5 (Branch Avenue - Exit 7). These are large road signs on both sides of the road (not the lighted ones). Why would they send people that way when there is no problem just continuing on I-95? Is there even a way to get to VA from Rt 7?

Dr. Gridlock: Hi: I can only guess that is a detour part of the construction of the new Woodrow Wilsion Bridges. Doesn't make sense to use Branch Avenue to get to I=95.

For more info, call the bridge spokesman, John Undeland, at 571-237-2690.

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Wheaton: While driving down Conn Ave past UDC I saw a driver smoking, drinking coffee and talking on the cell phone. He put the coffee on the dash to take a call. I distanced myself from his soooo fast. I did not want to be around when his coffee went flying!

Dr. Gridlock: Good move. Using cell phones while driving inthe District is against the law. Hope he got cited.

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Washington, D.C.: Has there ever been a study into the effectiveness of HOV in this region? Many of the commuters in this region travel from suburb to suburb, making it rather unlikely that you can find people to link up with to be able to utilize HOV. Virgina's HOV seems to make a little more sense because it ADDS lanes specifically designated for HOV (I-95/395 and I-66--shoulder added to compensate for left HOV lane). However, Maryland, along I-270 and this new HOT lane initiative along the beltway REDUCES the capacity of the road for general travelers during the times when the most cars are on the road. Seems pretty stupid to me that a road gets smaller when the most people need to use it. HOV and HOT are merely privilages to those who can either afford to pay the toll or are lucky enough to have someone near them who can carpool. Our local governments should be helping the MAJORITY, not the minority, and HOV and HOT do not help the majority of the commuters in this region!

Dr. Gridlock: When I first moved here from California, I thought HOV lanes were ridiculous--that everyone should be able to use all taxpayer funded roads. I've since gone the other way: HOV lanes move more people than conventional lanes, and we'd be in sorry shape without them. The feds agree, as all new federal funding for roads has to include an HOV component.

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Washington, D.C.: RE: Corn on the cob with one hand, I wouldn't simply assume they weren't using both hands... Some drivers seem to have "perfected" driving with their knees.

Dr. Gridlock: Scary

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Alexandria, Va.: At the eastern (Maryland) end of the Wilson Bridge there is a mysterious new overpass going up that doesn't appear to relate to any of the other roads (too far west to be I-295 or a ramp). Do you have any idea what it is? I'm guessing a pedestrian or bike bridge so that users of the pedestrian facility on the new Wilson Bridge will be able to cross the Beltway to National Harbour when it is built.

Dr. Gridlock: Log on to www.wilsonbridge.com, or call the bridge spokesman, john undeland at 571-237-2690.

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purple line: The Purple Line would be expensive and would take years (YEARS!) to build. However, with a $3 billion ICC, I think Maryland may have some secret account they're not telling us about. Also, Virginia is a wealthy state and Washington, D.C. is well-off, too. It would take a lot of money and a lot of time, but so do other big projects.

As for commuters, the Purple Line would connect to the outer stops of the existing lines so commuters could ride the Purple Line to the Red Line, Orange, Blue, etc. lines and then take those lines into the city. Of course, they'd probably need 10 car trains, which would be good for Metro these days.

I think with the right planning, it could happen within my lifetime (I'm 18, so I (hopefully) have a ways to go).

Dr. Gridlock: It might happen in yours; it won't in mine...

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Re: Temporary Permits: I had a hard time getting my car registered in D.C. so I became well versed in this policy. This is what I was told that a D.C. resident can obtain a vistor parking permit for approx. 2 weeks and it can be extended once. Exceptions can be made for medical emergencies. If you get a temporary tag for your car, they will give you a temporary residiential permit. I obtained mine from the local police station, and they did keep note of how many permits I had received.

Dr. Gridlock: This is thorouly confusing. I'd want to see this in writing.

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Branch Avenue signs: The signs in question will take you south to the Gov. Harry W. Nice Bridge, also known as the Potomac River Bridge, which carries US-301 over the river to Virginia. FAR more direct than staying on I-95 the whole way, and with both the Wilson Bridge and Springfield Interchange projects continuing, it bypasses a whole lot of road work.

Dr. Gridlock: Depends where one is going on Ii-95. When Route 301 crosses into Virginia, I think it is something like 20 miles to I-95, while further south, the distance is much closer...

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Arlington, Va.: It's your last chat, so I've got to ask an oldie-but-a-goodie... when the heck will they expand 66 inside the Beltway!? Just kidding, of course.

Don't know if you've ever taken much time to read the early plans for the DC area Interstate system - I'm assuming you know it all by heart. 66 extending all the way into the city and underneath K St., with a separate spur adding an additional crossing over the Potomac, a whole new collection of X95 spurs crossing the District, and so on. Incredible to imagine how different things might be, and ultimately, how much easier it might be to navigate the city. But at the price of many more highways running thru our neighborhoods.

Dr. Gridlock: The only expansion I've heard of is by one lane, westbound, inside the Beltway. Gov Timothy Kaine promised it during the last election. All the rest of it is not going to happen.

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Washington, D.C.: When driving into Nova yesterday, I saw a sign that said to turn on headlights when wipers are on. Is this a law or suggestion?

Dr. Gridlock: It's a law, in Virginia, theDistrict and Maryland.

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For your next endeavor............................: I'd like to see you in charge of redlight timing in northern Va. There is a stretch of Rt 50 in Chantilly between Rt 28 and Arcola that turns into a virtual parking lot in both directions, all because no one seems to be able to sync these lights to promote a steady flow of traffic.

Dr. Gridlock: CAll the Trafficlight meister, Mark Hagan of VDOT on 703 383 2872. I suspect it's just too much traffic for the road.

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Arlington, Va.: In the space of one chat, you've come out against both low-density development and high-density development. People have to live somewhere....

Dr. Gridlock: Didn't mean to. I'm against high density development so long as there are no accompanying transportation improvements to accomodate the new growth...

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Bethesda, Md.: It was John Nestor who asserted his God-given right to drivee in the left lane at the speed limit and who provoked such a hue and cry.

In any event, what happened with trying to get your mother off the road? Have never seen any follow up to your column. Did you give her the AAA test? Hide her keys? C'mon, you can't leave this hanging as you ride off.

Dr. Gridlock: I'll be riding off to California to figure it out. Then, I'll be checking into the Office of Aging in her hometown to see what is avaialable. Then I

ll be calling ComfortKeepers to see if they are in that area. I was comforted by readers who say there are options other than senior assisted living, that will keep them in their homes...Thanks for asking...

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Fairfax Station, Va.: So sorry to see you go. I've been reading your column since I came to this area many years ago, and it sure has helped make some sense of things here - at least traffic-wise.

Now a question - when does VDOT plan to complete the segment of the mixing bowl project that separates the traffic headed from the outer loop south onto I-95 from the local traffic headed for the Rte 644/Old Keene Mill Rd exit? There doesn't seem to be any useful schedule information on the mixing bowl web site concerning the long-awaited elimination of one of the most hazardous merges in this area.

Dr. Gridlock: Call VDOTs spokesman for the project: Steve Titunik at 703 383 2530. He'll answer your questions.

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South Riding, Va.: I am going to miss reading the Dr. Gridlock columns. When I first started reading the column, I had a short commute and almost never had to deal with more than a few minute delay (I miss those days of living and working in the same area) I read the advice and shortcuts even though I never had to deal with them. Two years ago, my commute grew to 25 miles each way and I have been reading more frequently.

I am sure the officials who read the discussions will also miss the opportunity to hear what people are thinking.

Happy trails...

Dr. Gridlock: Sorry, but they don't care. Sorry you succumbed to the big kitchen and closets (so did I) at the expense of a reasonable commute,

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Geno's Steaks: PA also has a "left lane is for passing only" law on the books.

Dr. Gridlock: So does New Jersey, I belive. Send me a philly cheesteak from Geno's (or Pat,s)

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Silver Spring, Md.: While I agree with the idea of watching in front of you for brakelights, etc it is impossible for those of us mere mortals who are only driving a Honda Accord or similiar vehicle to see thru or around a Ford Expedition.

Dr. Gridlock: I know. I drove a Dodge Neon, or Ford Escort for ten years, and was blinded by the lights.

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Rockville, Md.: I wouldn't put all the blame on an individual locality, after all, the population is growing, these people have to live somewhere. The problem is lack of coordination. What's the point of an "agricultural reserve" when developers just put mass developments on the other side of the county line.

Dr. Gridlock: "People have to live somewhere" True. Just not in a jurisdiction that is already gridlocked. Would you invite to dinner hundreds of times more than the capacicty of your home?

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Arlington, Va.: I'm going to be heading down to North Carolina (Wilmington area) for July 4th weekend. When would you suggest are the best times to leave and come back? One of the friends I'm going with has a commitment on Saturday early morning, so we probably can't leave until around 10am Saturday. Is it smarter to come back Monday afternoon, or Tuesday morning, to avoid the obscene amount of traffic?

Dr. Gridlock: On my calendar, July 4 is a Tuesday. I'm assuming you want to be in Wilmington for that day, and the evening fireworks.

Leaving ten am Saturday is probably as good as it gets, and returning as early as possible on July 5 may be the best return, Good luck

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Dr. Gridlock: Folks: you have been my greatest resource. I've learned so much from you. It's been a joy to provide some small assistance. I'll miss you...

PS--Last column is on Sunday, June 25.

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