Move to Kick Hybrids out of Carpool Lanes Backfires

Since July, carpool access has been denied for 85,000 hybrid cars with no passengers. Those yellow stickers don't work any more. But the consequences might leave you scratching your head. Having fewer hybrids does not make the emptier car pool lanes move any faster. It slows them down! Of course, the more congested regular lanes move slower too. We hear why it's worse for everybody. Also, Blue Shield will refund $167 million in excess profits. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, big banks: are there alternatives?

Banner image: A Toyota Prius with a California 'clean air vehicle' sticker drives in the carpool lane on highway 101 on May 6, 2011 in San Rafael, California. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images