by B. L. Babb

Created on: May 24, 2010

HOV or High Occupancy Lanes are available in most of our high population cities.  These lanes are popular for those who travel with multiple passengers, such as car pools.  Use of these lanes by cars with less than the required number of passengers can result in a traffic citation and fine for the driver. 

That said, should cars with sufficient passengers be fined for NOT using these lanes?

Absolutely not!

HOV lanes have very few off and on-ramps.  This allows for traffic to flow well.  Cars with ample passengers may have entered the highway after the last on-ramp to the HOV lane not permitted them to get into the lanes to utilize them.

Maybe someone inside the car will be dropped off before the next exit preventing the driver from utilizing the lane because there is no exit at the needed location.

Divided HOV lanes may have a different speed limit than that of the regular traffic flow.  In Virginia Beach/Norfolk, the separated HOV lanes may travel at speeds of up to 60/65 MPH while normal traffic flows are held to speeds of 55 MPH.  If the driver wishes to not travel at that speed, they may opt to stay in the standard lanes.

A traffic report may state that there is a problem in the HOV lanes ahead where the driver opts to remain in the flowing normal lanes of traffic.

Fining someone for not utilizing the HOV lanes would then result in all with sufficient passengers being forced into the lanes or finding alternate routes to their destinations to avoid the fines.  This would undoubtedly send much more traffic onto local city roads instead of on the highway system designed to handle the volume of traffic.

HOV lanes are there and most often benefit those who travel longer distances and can utilize the length or a good portion of the length of the HOV lanes for travel.  Fining drivers for not using HOV lanes, especially when it may not be possible for them to use it, as well as the massive man hours of law enforcement officials in ensuring compliance would negate any monetary income benefits.

If you wish to utilize HOV lanes, ensure you have the proper legal passenger count for the lanes you wish to use.  If you have the passenger count needed but choose to not utilize the lanes for whatever reason, you should be able to know you will not be ticketed for doing what works best for your needs.

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