BELTWAY BONEHEADS

Scare tactics can be suitable when the situation is scary. That's a fair way to assess a draft of Virginia's six-year highway construction program, published this month by the state's Department of Transportation. The plan makes the point that if the current budget stalemate in Richmond is not broken, funding for road improvements around the state will plummet starting this summer. In other words, commutes and traffic will only get worse. Scary? You bet. -- Washington Post Editorial, April 28, 2006

The Virginia Senate passed a new transportation plan Thursday but refused to abandon its months-long support for a new gas tax despite rising prices at the pump. — By Rosalind S. Helderman and Michael D. Shear, April 28, 2006; Washington Post

There’s no evidence that high gas prices have lead to significant changes in commuting habits. If there’s any difference in the psychology of commuting, it’s that regular Metro users seem much more certain that they are making the best possible investment with their time and money. But even in the days of $3 gas, many of those who can pay extra in order to drive say it’s worth it. — April 27, 2006; NBC4 TV News

We’ve all heard the tips on how to save gas. And, as fuel prices continue to climb, we’re hearing them almost daily on TV and radio: Don’t drive aggressively. Drive at lower speeds. Use cruise control. Don’t use air conditioning. Keep your tires properly inflated. Avoid excessive idling. So, which ones are true? — By Caroline Mayer, April 27, 2006; WashingtonPost.com

Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine rejected an increase in gas taxes to pay for transportation improvements, prompting a leading Republican ally in the Senate to accuse the governor Tuesday of pandering to national anxiety about rising fuel prices. — By Rosalind Helderman, April 26, 2006; Washington Post