Q: This is from an Australian friend. I concur with his sentiment.
Anonymous
A: Off we go.
Q: As a visitor to the U.S. from overseas, I have noticed that indicators (blinkers) are rarely used.
Why? Is it that indicators are options on automobiles here? They are standard equipment on cars in other countries. Alternatively, perhaps Americans are very intuitive and don’t need to see indicators?
I suggest that a special day be set aside across the US when drivers use their indicators. Perhaps it could be in the month when the next blue moon occurs, August 2023. Then drivers will use their indicators (blinkers) at least once in a blue moon!
Anonymous
A: Many others are also frustrated about drivers here not using their blinkers. One of the Roadshow mottos: Be a thinker, use your blinker.
Q: Gary, I received a dunning notice for an auto license renewal from the DMV for a payment that I had mailed at the beginning of September.
I spoke with the DMV on Sept.19 and was told that there was a backlog and that payments postmarked on August 26 were currently being processed. I was advised to check back in a week or two, and that the postmark date would be honored, as stated on the renewal notice.
I called back today. There was no change in status and a six-week backlog.
I’m driving a vehicle with an apparently overdue license plate, and I don’t have anything to show a traffic officer. The only apparent prevention is to get our payments in as soon as we get our renewal notices.
Richard DeBolt
A: This happens periodically. You’re right, that the lesson is don’t wait until the last minute to send your DMV renewal and payment.
Q: On Sept. 18, I paid $5.199 for premium gas at San Ramon’s Costco. On Sept. 29, I paid $6.299 for premium gas at San Ramon’s Costco. That is an increase of $1.10 in just 11 days! Is that right?
I hope the San Ramon Costco just made an error in pricing. Otherwise, I am surprised I have not heard anyone report this increase. But then I have been “back east” recently, where I paid $2.759 for regular Costco gas in Georgia.
David E. Smith, San Ramon
A: Supplies are running low as we shift from the summer blend of gasoline to the winter blend. Prices generally go up a few cents during the transition, but this latest increase is outrageous.
Q: Unless the DMV has changed the law, you can have both disabled plates and a placard [referring to Phil’s question on Sept. 28]. For years I had plates on my truck and a placard for the other car.
Dan O’Neal, San Jose
A: You’re right about this.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.
