I cover commuting issues for The Tampa Tribune. This web log is designed to help, or at least provide a forum for us, to help each other.

Ask questions. We’ll try to find answers. We can share safety tips, shortcuts, areas to avoid, better routes, ways to save money, save gas - to better survive the daily grind.

We spend a lot of time in our cars. What do we do with that time? Has your commute affected other areas of your life? Your budget?

Share with me where you drive each day, how long it takes you - now, compared to a few years ago. Tell us how you cope with traffic, how you like your carpool, van pool, your bus commute - if you’re among the few who can, or are willing to, live without your car during the work day.

Maybe we can ease the burden of our ever-lengthening commute.

For information before heading out on your commute, check TBO.com’s Traffic page at http://traffic.tbo.com.