HOV lane access ramp ticketing by the Atlanta Police Department (lawyer, train)

[atler8]

JPD
From the sound of the current situation at the GDOT, that d******s is a lifer there.

[toll_booth]

Speaking of HOV lanes.

A couple years ago, I was driving on I-85 in Gwinnett one weeknight. I was in the left lane, passing a pack of slower cars (the left lane was the only option for the pass), and I intended to get back over as soon as I had passed the car. Well, someone behind me didn't have the patience to wait just a few seconds for me to complete the maneuver. So he decided to go around me by moving into the HOV lane (this was before the lanes were tolled), crossing a double white line--an illegal maneuver.

What he didn't realize was that a cop was watching this whole thing. So just moments after zooming around me, the impatient driver got pulled over. And if he was driving solo (which is likely), that could have been a second ticket!

[atler8]

toll
That was certainly a well-deserved kiss by miss karma, eh?

[ToucheGA]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

For reference, the Street View of the intersection in question is HERE.

Also discussed was the Williams entrance ramp, which is HERE. ....

The signs are very clear to me, but I have been driving through Atlanta most of my life. Someone from out of state might not even know what the letters "HOV" stand for. I am generally not sympathetic to people who are ignorant of laws, but in this case, I feel the signs should explicitly state that the ramp and lanes are off limits to single-occupancy vehicles.

That said, I am guessing that many or most of the people who are pulled over know damn well that they are breaking the law. These people, not the cops, are the reason for the congestion caused by the pulled-over vehicles.

[MattCW]

Most of the places up north with HOV lanes, not only clearly list the restrictions, but have shared entrances with non-HOV traffic, but still list the fact that the HOV is "this way." A driver from the North could easily assume that the HOV option comes later and will be clearly marked. Another thing I noticed, was the continuous use of EZ-Pass starting in North Carolina. Why did Georgia have to use some custom system and pay far more for it, than just buy off the shelf for the HOT lanes? Yet another place visitors could be caught up in our HOV/T system: assuming their EZ-Pass will work.

[ToucheGA]

Originally Posted by MattCW

... A driver from the North could easily assume that the HOV option comes later and will be clearly marked.....

This is a valid argument for visitors from other states who regularly drive in metro areas that have HOV lanes. however, it does not apply to people (in and out of GA) who rarely drive in metro areas.

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by atler8

toll
That was certainly a well-deserved kiss by miss karma, eh?

Indeed. It's like that moment when you're watching a football game, screaming for a pass interference call, and BAM! Here comes the flag.

[cqholt]

This is a valid argument for visitors from other states who regularly drive in metro areas that have HOV lanes. however, it does not apply to people (in and out of GA) who rarely drive in metro areas.

Couldn't the drivers do a little a research before visiting the area?

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by MattCW

Most of the places up north with HOV lanes, not only clearly list the restrictions, but have shared entrances with non-HOV traffic, but still list the fact that the HOV is "this way." A driver from the North could easily assume that the HOV option comes later and will be clearly marked. Another thing I noticed, was the continuous use of EZ-Pass starting in North Carolina. Why did Georgia have to use some custom system and pay far more for it, than just buy off the shelf for the HOT lanes? Yet another place visitors could be caught up in our HOV/T system: assuming their EZ-Pass will work.

States' rights. Fifty different states, fifty different systems.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

For reference, the Street View of the intersection in question is HERE.

That signage could be a whole lot clearer.

Even after knowing about the controversy I had to look at it twice to understand that the non-HOV access to 75/85 south was up ahead, and that the right turn was for HOV only.

Seems like they could easily solve that by simply including the word "ONLY" at the bottom of the sign.