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With traffic congestion getting ever worse in the Seattle metro area, two classes of solo drivers are asking for permission to use the carpool lanes.
But it's a hard sell in Olympia.
Gary Hoff volunteers once a week as a courier for Bloodworks Northwest. He drives a route between several blood warehouses, hospitals and clinics. It passes through some the Seattle area's worst traffic.
"I went through a training class where (I learned) it's gotta move, gotta stay cold, can't sit unattended,” Hoff said. "This is as important as an ambulance, I would think."
At the beginning of the afternoon rush hour, as Hoff pokes along in the general purpose lanes of the Valley Freeway, the carpool lane moves smoothly two lanes over.
"I see a sheriff go by in the carpool lane,” Hoff said. “I don't think he has two people in there. They seem to be able to use it. I don't know why Bloodworks can't."
Hoff's employer is asking the Washington Legislature to authorize blood delivery vehicles to use the High Occupancy Vehicle lanes. Separately, the association for wheelchair capable taxicabs is asking for the same thing so its drivers can get to far flung pick ups faster.