Q: One reason gas prices are so high is because oil companies have made more billions this year than last year. They could lower the price at the pump and still make billions in profit.

Robert Mix, San Jose

A: A recent report shows that California oil refiners made unprecedented profits from refining oil into gasoline in the first quarter of 2022.

Some California oil refiners report profits from the first quarter of 2022 that are more than twice as high as those reported by the same refiners over the same period last year. In some cases, profits are as much as five times greater than in the same period last year, according to the Consumer Watchdog group, a nonprofit, nonpartisan consumer protection organization.

For the first quarter of 2022, profits at L.A.-area refineries grew to $32.84 per barrel from $15.75 per barrel in the first quarter of 2021.

Q: If I go to the store and find an item on the shelf listed for less than what is shown at the register, I expect the store to honor the lower price. Does the same apply to gas? Last week I paid 10 cents more per gallon than the sign out front claimed. That’s only $1.10 for 11 gallons, but it’s the principle.

Tom Farrell

A: Unlikely, even though, legally, pump prices and the price on the sign are required to be the same. Not knowing all of the circumstances, it’s hard to know what happened here. It could be that the sign was incorrect, or it could be confusion about cash/credit prices, but you’re right, the posted price and the pump price are supposed to be the same.

Q: Your explanation of the lights at Castro/Moffett/Central pretty well confirmed my observations. But is there any way to always show the countdown clock when crossing? When you just see the hand, you don’t really know what time is left. It’s getting very unsafe, especially for us older folks who walk.

Stephen Gneri, Mountain View

A: It’s unlikely that this will be done, but I understand your point. Pedestrians and bicyclists using the new interchange, when it has been built, will travel under the expressway which will make a countdown timer unnecessary.

Q: Great news about the Castro/Central intersection. I used to turn right from Castro onto Central in my car on a red, and I’d be extra cautious. I’d check all directions for oncoming traffic, then for pedestrians. It only took a second or two, but it was enough to earn a honk from the irate driver behind me.

E.G., Campbell

A: Fewer impatient, horn-honking motorists would be good. You did the right thing by double-checking before turning.

Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow, or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.