The average Sacramento area resident drives a total of 40 miles a day, which (according to AAA) costs $22 for fuel and operating expenses.

Pick a week in October to try an alternative to driving alone for any of your daily trips and you could win a $50 gift certificate.

Carpool, vanpool, take transit, telecommute, bike or walk ...they will all save money, reduce your time in traffic and improve our air quality - in addition to giving you a chance to win $50.

Visit www.sacregion511.org and tell us how you changed your travel for the low-car challenge for your chance to win.

If you don't have easy internet access, please call 916-340-6229 to request a participation form.

Caltrans wants the public to know about a new law signed by the governor that requires motorists to move over or slow down when they see a Caltrans vehicle flashing warning lights.

The new law, Senate Bill 240 (State Senator Roderick Wright), adds Caltrans vehicles displaying flashing amber warning lights to the list of vehicles for which motorists must slow down and, if safe, move over to a lane not immediately adjacent to the stationary vehicle.

“This protects the safety of our workers,” said Caltrans Director Randy Iwasaki. “Highway workers face the same dangers from fast moving traffic as emergency personnel and tow-truck operators. We appreciate the leadership and recognition of the legislature and governor for the need to provide a safer working environment for our employees.”

Since 1924, 174 Caltrans workers have lost their lives in the line of duty. On July 23, 2009, Caltrans worker Don Lichliter was struck and fatally injured by a passing truck on Highway 99 in Lodi. He was with another worker applying a fertilizer treatment to keep eucalyptus trees healthy. Their truck was parked on the shoulder.

To date, 45 other states have enacted similar laws requiring motorists to move over or slow down. Violation of the new provision is punishable by a fine of not more than $50. The new law also makes the safety protections permanent by removing the sunset date (January 1, 2010) from existing law.

Caltrans will be working on eight projects totalling more than $420 million dollars this year along Interstate-80. To assist motorists traveling over the Sierra Nevada mountains on i-80, Caltrans has launched the www.getacross80.com web site. The web site will featurew travel information, project descriptions, email alerts, live traffic camera and the latest news on the Sierra Repair Projects.

Information will also be available by calling 1-877-362-8080.