Drivers fume over hybrids in fast lanes

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Owners of those models go slower to save on fuel

CALIFORNIA — A class of vehicles is drawing anger on the freeway: sleek, fuel-efficient hybrids.

Call it Prius envy.

It’s not just about the car-pool perk, which allows drivers in hybrids such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic to go solo in the diamond lane. It’s not just about getting 50 miles per gallon or the possible $3,000 tax break. Or about the trendiness of owning the hottest seller on the sales lot.

It’s about speed — the lack of it.

“These idiot hybrids are clogging up the car-pool lane,” huffed Bob De Marco of Gilroy, Calif., blaming drivers for cruising in the fast lane at less than 65 m.p.h. when others want to zoom along at 75-plus.

The speed at which hybrids cruise “is infuriating,” said Andy Francke of Morgan Hill, Calif.

Knight-Ridder