I want to contribute ideas to Mayor Newsom. 

 

First of I think he’s doing a great job with cutting edge ideas and newsworthy initiatives.  I like the idea that he made SF into a city of tolerance by welcoming gay marriage.  Although it did not bode well nationally, it helps make SF the most tolerant city in the US and achieve much more internationally.  

 

Lately, the energy crisis and global warming have been dogging the economy as well as cause concern for many people.  The biggest challenge we have is that everyone in the US wants to have bigger cars, both for convenience and safety.  No one wants to pay high gas prices, but that’s out of our control at the moment.  We all know there are smaller cars that uses less gas and are easier to park in this city.  Cars like Smartcar and electric cars are popular in Europe, but are not as popular in the United States.  People worried that if there is an accident, their tiny car will not survive an impact.  To move forward and make strong gains in the introduction of smaller and more energy efficient cars in the city, there must be more to be done than just a rebate credit.  To be honest, a few thousands in rebates does nothing to lessen the fear of the driver each time he/she sits behind the wheel.  Elderly and family with small children will worry about their safety when there is an impact.  For this reason, I propose this idea and hope Mayor Newsom would think about it and if necessary, come up with a revised version of it.

 

(1) Maintain credit rebates for small and energy efficient cars.

(2) Make city more car, bike and moped friendly with certain routes defined as slow traffic and dedicated lanes.

(3) Make more free or reduced rate parking areas and meters.

(4) Levy a higher tax on heavier and larger cars - for reasons that they take more road space, more parking space, and cause more damage to asphalt.

(5) BIG IDEA:  Not allow people with poor driving record and having DUI to sit behind heavy sedans, SUV’s, and larger vehicles while in the city of San Francisco.  Those who has a traffic or parking violation while maintaining a poor personal driving record shall have his/her car impound or drivers license revoked.  This will make roads in our city more small car friendly and it will increase the number of small car drivers in this city. 

 

Often times, I see Hummers, Large SUV’s, Suburbans etc. driven by a single driver with passenger and back seats empty.  I know people who do business in the city that need to drive large trucks would not be happy with the plan, but waivers can be given to those who use their vehicles for business and maintain a good driving record.  Those who must drive large vehicles and had bad driving record can go through some form of drivers education and have their vehicles speed limit clocked or while driving in the city. This can be accomplished through GPS devices, or a limiter device for those vehicles driving in the city.  This city has the technology to accomplish this.  It will make city greener, safer, and more efficient.  I would like to see more smaller cars on the road than we have at the present time. 

 

Duke La