Q: Are freeway rest areas open during the shelter-in-place periods, such as along Interstate 5 between the Bay Area and L.A.?
Ed Chin
A: Yes, from the Grapevine to past Weed in Siskiyou County, there are more than a dozen rest stops open in each direction. Caltrans has not closed any rest areas due to the shelter-in-place order, because truckers depend on them. However, some are closed due to seasonal closures and emergency work. But on some California roads, you need to be creative.
Q: I have heard that there are no public restrooms open anywhere on some highways. A female relative just had to drive from Las Vegas to Bakersfield and back and had to do her thing in a cup by the side of the road because there was nowhere to stop. Gas station restrooms were closed, and restaurants have drive-through or takeout only with the restrooms closed to the public. I imagine this is less of an issue for men, but women should be especially aware that this is something to prepare for.
Katie Drake
A: A good reminder, yes.
Q: I used a small alcohol pad to sanitize the multimedia screen in my 2018 Prius after a grocery trip. To my horror, the screen turned blotchy white. I talked to Toyota of Santa Cruz and the national customer service representative. I told them that they need a national advisory for consumers not to sanitize the multimedia screen to prevent others from damaging their cars. They told me that the manual says some chemicals could damage the screen. No mention of which chemicals would damage it, but I am hoping you could generate interest and help others not wreck their car.
Elizabeth Yznaga, Felton
A: The interior of a vehicle is another virus and germ haven, especially the dashboard and steering wheel. Soap and water works. Any other advice, readers, on keeping car interiors sanitized?
Q: There is very little traffic on the roads these days, yet radio stations continue to have traffic coverage every few minutes. Very few people need this information compared to before the shutdown, and there isn’t much going on to cause congestion anyway. It is a waste of valuable air time.
Carl Stoffel, Mountain View
A: Such as…
Q: I thought you might get a chuckle out of this. On Tuesday, KNBR announced that on northbound Highway 17 at Summit Road, there was a car on the side of the road. Really, that sounds like a disaster to me! Usually, we don’t even get any air time for a big rig crashing or a three-car crash.
Matt W.
A: Life, in this rare time of no traffic.
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