Q: I always see people driving in the car pool lane with children. I thought the car pool lane was meant for people who are going to an actual job.
-- Mark Orelia, Claremont

A: I get so many letters from people venting about the inequities of who can and cannot use the car-pool lane, I think that I am going to have to call a timeout for a group hug. Here's the deal: Other than motorcycles and those vehicles that have a DMV-issued clean air vehicle sticker, which allows a driver to drive alone in the car-pool lane, if a car-pool lane is designated for two or more passengers, the only requirement is that those passengers be living, breathing human beings. This means that babies, children and the unemployed count. Pets, mannequins and the unborn children of mommies-to-be don't.

Cool Reader Comment: Re: Your column on men's "superior sense of direction": My late husband was a professional truck driver, having logged over 3 million miles before he died. God only knows how he did it! He could never find the same place twice (let alone the first time) without insisting that I go into a service station and ask for directions for him -- even if I was telling him that I knew the way. My husband used to tell people that I was a homing pigeon. Let's hear it for the girls!
-- Fawn E. Witten, Chino Hills

Q: Please settle a disagreement between my sister and me regarding the use of headlights. She says that I need to turn my headlights on when it is raining, even if there is plenty of light outside. I've been driving for 30 years and have never heard of such a thing. We have lunch riding on this. Who is right?
-- Janis Carlyle, Upland

A: It looks like lunch is going to be on you, Janis. As of January 2005, the law requires you to turn on your low-beam headlights whenever you are in conditions that require the continuous use of your windshield wipers.

Cool Reader Comment: Automobile manufacturers have installed in all vehicles a handy lever on the left side of the steering column (that's the post the steering thingie is attached to). When pulled down, it causes exterior lights to flash on the left side of the vehicle indicating the intent to turn left. Similarly, when pushed up it indicates the intent to turn right. How very clever! I see many drivers not using turn signals until they are actually turning, or not using them at all. Is there anything difficult to understand about this concept?
-- Everett Greenberg, Big Bear Lake

I'm with you, Everett. I wish more people would use those signal "thingies"!
--MGG

Q: I am 16 years old and will have had my license for six months in February. I was wondering if the new rules for new drivers regarding no passengers under the age of 20 for one year, and not driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., apply to me?
-- Cameron Canino

A: I've got good news and bad news, Cameron. The good news is that I was impressed with your letter and you are obviously an outstanding young man. The bad news is that you are going to be an outstanding young man driving without your friends until August. The new laws are in effect for all new drivers, even if you received your license last year.

Michelle Groh-Gordy is the owner of InterActive! Traffic School Online at www.trafficinteractive.com, and writes a syndicated weekly column on driving for the publications of the Los Angeles Newspaper Group.