In different parts of world HOV " High Occupancy Vehicle" lanes/ roadway are in use . This way, motorists are encouraged to carpool, which lowers the number of vehicles on the road, improves traffic congestion, and lowers the amount of harmful gas emissions. In USA to use the HOV lane you must follow certain rules. Minimum number of passengers in the vehicle. Which is 2 or 3 in different states. It?s also different on certain highways. Like in NY some highways require minimum two while some require three. Any single motorist who attempts to use the carpool lane will be penalized. If you don?t follow this rule and enter into HOV lanes you can get a huge citation worth few hundred dollars PLUS 3 points on license.. End result bad driving record and increased insurance premium.
Plug in hybrid cars ( with single /driver only), certain other Hybrid cars ( driver only) as approved by department of transportation ( not all hybrid cars), motorcycles and buses can use HOV lanes. One must apply to DOT to get a clean pass sticker to paste on the car bumper. Regular Prius Hybrid was able to use an HOV till last Year but in NY now only plug in hybrid is allowed with a single driver in it. Each child counts as an occupant, but pets, infants still in the womb, inflatable dolls or ghosts do not. Yes there had been incidences when driver were stopped with inflatable dolls to cheat on cops. Some driver said they had ghosts in their car so that?s why they are using HOV lanes.
I was driving along an HOV today took some shots to show an HOV lane. The pictures were taken at off hour timings. anyone can use HOV in off hour times. In high traffic times the regular mixed lanes are mostly dead stop like a parking lot but the HOV are moving pretty well. But if there is an accident in HOV lanes, which I have experience once was the worst experience in HOV lane. The traffic remained stand still for ever.
There are certain highways which are High Occupancy Toll roads. means you pay as well to use those roadways. regular HOV lanes are free to use but again you have to follow occupancy regulations.
see some smart drivers busted.. http://www.kirotv.com/gallery/news/dolls-dummies-caught-hov-lane/gfMM/#1326841