Queen: A reader wrote in to protest the California Highway Patrol's practice of having cars with lights flashing on the scene of maintenance and repair projects carried out at night on the highway. The reader was concerned about the expense of paying the officers' salaries, which it turned out, are paid by Caltrans when officers are on highway project duty. Here's another reader's take:

Commuter: I have no problem with California Highway Patrol cruisers parking adjacent to night road work to protect Caltrans workers. Here's something dangerous Caltrans should consider: those incredibly bright night work lights that shine directly into the eyes of oncoming drivers. They are not merely distracting but make it practically impossible to see where you are going, particularly if you are traveling uphill.

This was particularly true with night work on southbound Highway 238 between San Leandro and Castro Valley before the work was completed. It was a perfect example of creating your own hazard.

Bill, Dublin

Queen: Bill, this topic is especially important these days. Right now, road work seems to be going on everywhere the Queen rolls, in every highway and byway of the Royal Queendom. The most notable example, of course, is the recent work on the Bay Bridge to repair the pieces of metal that broke Tuesday. That job doesn't apply to this issue, since the bridge was closed, of course.

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