Carpool violations / violators

[raitheslacker]

something I would LOVE to see enforced, but never have... and because of a unique commute schedule used to see daily..., is nonlegitimate cars that flood into the car pool lane two minutes before the carpool lane at the Oakland bridge converts to a regular lane

drove me insane day in and day out

there would often be CHP enforcement on the west side of the toll plaza, but never enforcement on the east side

and while legitimate carpool vehicles are trying to get through at 9:58 am, floods of nonlegitimate vehicles would enter the carpool lane and then apply their brakes, deliberately slowing traffic, and waiting for the 10 am change!?! every day at 9:58 am and 9:59 am was an accident waiting to happen

Thats Oakland for yah

[bshnt2015]

I have no problems driving thru the carpool lane.

[CapnHawk]

My partner and I were in our patrol car cruising the carpool lane on the 134 in Burbank. A delivery van got on the freeway, accelerated to about 80 mph, and proceeded across all four traffic lanes, cutting off other vehicles with reckless abandon. The icing on the cake was when he crossed the double yellow line into the HOV lane, nearly taking our front bumper off. The van's driver had no license, current registration or proof of insurance. Needless to say, the van got towed and our driver hauled off to the gray bar hotel.

[CrazyCobraManTim]

From the opposite side

Just as often as people break the carpool lane laws, I get those same dirty looks by driving solo in my truck (the white wonder). My '98 F250 regular cab truck is a dedicated CNG vehicle with the required (abet decidedly aged) white HOV stickers. You'd be amazed the number of people who race up beside me, yelling, honking, giving me dirty stares, etc. Sometimes I smile and motor on, other times I'll point to the window stickers and sometimes (just maybe) the little light bulb goes on.

And it's not just John Q. Public who misses these, as I've been pulled over repeatedly by the CHP, Burbank PD and one time a very irate LASD motorcycle officer. The only time I've ever taken it all the way to the shoulder and put the vehicle in park - the CHP bellowed across his PA system, "I just saw the stickers - you are free to go."

Despite the occasional PITA, it's worth it. Cheap purchase price (used county rig), cheap fuel ($2 a gallon), its a very useful vehicle for range days, recycling with the kids, camping, and I'll probably walk away from any accident where Mr. Prius jumps the double-yellow lane right infront of speeding traffic.

[JaMail]

i had a friend, she used to commute from lancaster to LAX every day. her answer to violating the carpool, the two or three tickets a year she got, was worth the time saved.

[missiondude]

No HOV lanes here in Santa Cruz...

However, it's a pretty serious violation.. heavily enforced in LA county.. it's around a 400+ ticket..

I have seen people try to pull the ol' baby in the back seat routine but NO BABY to be found. I've also seen people cruise in the carpool lane with a blow up doll all dressed up to simulate another person.

Ahh the things people come up with... Sign here please.

Yeah, but have you ever encountered one of those "Real Dolls"???

[CrazyCobraManTim]

Slight Deviation...

Ok - this seems kinda, sorta partially on topic (in a perverse way)....being about the carpool lane and all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X4tqi7d83M

[shellyzsweet]

Today I was driving with my parents and we hit some traffic, so a jerk behind us went and decided he was too important to wait and drove onto the shoulder and passed everyone on the right shoulder. We were like "what a jerk!" and super pissed about it....30 seconds later a local PD car buzzed passed in the shoulder after the guy. 5 minutes later we passed them as he was getting a ticket. The cop was getting honks and waves from everyone....it was so satisfying!

[MoBait]

Today I was driving with my parents and we hit some traffic, so a jerk behind us went and decided he was too important to wait and drove onto the shoulder and passed everyone on the right shoulder. We were like "what a jerk!" and super pissed about it....30 seconds later a local PD car buzzed passed in the shoulder after the guy. 5 minutes later we passed them as he was getting a ticket. The cop was getting honks and waves from everyone....it was so satisfying!

I would have seen him coming and pretended to be overheating.

[rromeo]

I dont really care about carpool cheaters. The people I hate are the vanpools or Priuii doing 58 in the left lane.

[Beagle]

I dont really care about carpool cheaters. The people I hate are the vanpools or Priuii doing 58 in the left lane.

Yeah I freakin hate that.

I have seen City police at the entrance to the freeway checking carpool lane entering the freeway. But I really don't think they are doing it to "catch" violators but I think the city need revenue. My city is dead broke, then again so are most cities in CA.

[Ron-Solo]

Yeah I freakin hate that.

I have seen City police at the entrance to the freeway checking carpool lane entering the freeway. But I really don't think they are doing it to "catch" violators but I think the city need revenue. My city is dead broke, then again so are most cities in CA.

Well, where I work, we're usually watching the freeway flow because we're looking for someone involved in no-goodness and we suspect he might be using the freeway to get away where it is easier to blend in.

Contrary to popular belief, the counties and cities get a very small portion of the revenue from citations. Most (about 89%) is taken by the state. When I started in 1978, approximately 55% went to the jurisdiction where to ticket was written. Over the years, the state took more and more. Imagine that.