Carpool lanes (insurance, house, buy)

[ryanms3030]

I've been commuting on freeway for the first time in years over the past 5 months and I've noticed that about 90% of the cars in the carpool lanes are single drivers in non except vehicles. And I saw several people brazenly doing that today with a CHP truck in the lane with them. Why not just get rid of the stupid carpool lanes?

[69Charger]

You can buy your way into the lanes, with an electric car.

Federal law mandates the lanes must move at, at least 45 mph at all times. To alleviate the issue, more carpool lanes will become toll lanes, and special access lanes.

They are "lexus lanes" for successful people.

[ryanms3030]

Originally Posted by 69Charger

You can buy your way into the lanes, with an electric car.

Federal law mandates the lanes must move at, at least 45 mph at all times. To alleviate the issue, more carpool lanes will become toll lanes, and special access lanes.

They are "lexus lanes" for successful people.

I understand that, my point is 90% of the people using the carpool lane on the 5 where I am everyday have no right to be in the carpool lane. I assume risk is worth it. But if there are that few people legitimately using it why not get rid of it and just open it up?

[BRinSM]

It's certainly an expensive ticket if you get caught. I got one for using the carpool lane on the on ramp near my house a few months ago and it cost >$500.

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by ryanms3030

I understand that, my point is 90% of the people using the carpool lane on the 5 where I am everyday have no right to be in the carpool lane. I assume risk is worth it. But if there are that few people legitimately using it why not get rid of it and just open it up?

No, it isn't worth the risk. In addition to the ticket they get, they have to pay for traffic school.

I'm hardly ever on the 5, but on the freeways that I have been on that have the carpool lanes I don't see this. You see two people in the car.

[jtamay3]

Honestly, it does stink. I see the same on the 10 as well when I decide to drive in. It's a problem with how things are enforced. Since registration isn't enforced, you have many people with dealer plates or no plates at all (the neighbor in front of me does this). So people will freely switch into the carpool lane with no worries for consequence. The chances that a CPD officer will pull them over are slim considering there's not enough of them to even enforce it.

[69Charger]

Are you sure about traffic school? I thought getting caught in the lane was not a moving violation. I know that cutting the yellow lines is a moving violation, but not simply being in the lane by yourself. Am I wrong?

For a lot of people, a $500 fine is not a lot of money. If you're rich you can afford it. If you have a good job you can work a little overtime to pay it.

[socal88]

The carpool lane is borderline nonsense nowadays. I definitely have seen a number of solo drivers try to risk it. Saw a guy get nabbed by the police the other day. The $500 fine is definitely not worth the risk.

Then you get the folks who get stuck in the carpool lane because of the double-yellow lines and then at the last second veer around 4-5 lanes to get to their exit, creating traffic inefficiencies and making for dangerous situations. Unless there's comprehensive research showing carpool lane benefits, I'd do away with them.

[BRinSM]

Originally Posted by 69Charger

Are you sure about traffic school? I thought getting caught in the lane was not a moving violation. I know that cutting the yellow lines is a moving violation, but not simply being in the lane by yourself. Am I wrong?

For a lot of people, a $500 fine is not a lot of money. If you're rich you can afford it. If you have a good job you can work a little overtime to pay it.

My citation was NOT a moving violation. it will not require driver's school to avoid affecting my insurance.

[ryanms3030]

Originally Posted by seain dublin

No, it isn't worth the risk. In addition to the ticket they get, they have to pay for traffic school.

I'm hardly ever on the 5, but on the freeways that I have been on that have the carpool lanes I don't see this. You see two people in the car.

I'm talking about weekday rush hour but yes I would say only 1 or 2 out of every 10 cars have more than one person