A DRIVER was issued a $490 fine after his attempt to bypass the proper carpool requirements for riding on the high-occupancy vehicle lane failed.
The unidentified driver tried to outfox police officials but was stopped by an eagle-eyed California Highway Patrol officer who noticed the strange sight from the sedan in San Jose.
Riding shotgun with the sedan owner was a plastic Halloween skeleton with a mask from the horror flick Scream.
The reason for the traffic stop was that the driver was driving on the HOV lane without the proper carpool requirements to ride on the fast lane.
In California, motorcycles, mass transit, and vehicles must have at least two or more occupants in the car to drive on the HOV lanes, according to the state’s Department of Transportation.
The department defines occupants as anyone who “occupies a safety restraint device, i.e., a seat belt.”
And, in the case of the San Jose sedan driver, the highway patrol official was too sharp to be fooled.
“While #spookyseason is upon us, it’s important to remember that decorations being transported in the passenger seat do not qualify to meet carpool requirements,” the California Highway Patrol wrote in a Facebook post.
The agency shared multiple images from the traffic stop, including the plastic skeleton with the mask on and a deputy handing the driver the ticket.
The minimum fine for a HOV lane violation is $490.
However, the exact amount can vary by county and may be higher for repeat offenders.
The violation also results in one point on a person’s driver’s license.
‘ANOTHER DUMMY’
Meanwhile, in Washington State, state troopers issued a similar warning after a driver was issued a traffic ticket for riding on the HOV lane with a mannequin in the front passenger seat.
“Another dummy SB 405 near I-19!” Washington State Trooper posted on X in June as he shared a picture of the mannequin in the car.
“The human driver explained he had been using this for a long time due to carpooling being so screwed up. The state patrol and district 2 motorcycle crew addressed this dummy.”
The mannequin was dressed in a hoodie, a hat, and sunglasses.
Like in California, solo drivers riding in the HOV lane can incur a penalty of $186.
If the driver is issued a similar HOV violation within two years of the first ticket, the penalty could increase to $336 per citation.
But Washington State Troopers warned clever drivers who are considering using a mannequin to ride on the HOV lane an additional $200 will be added to the traffic ticket.
That would mean the citation would be issued for $386.
Proper conduct during a traffic stop
The American Civil Liberties Union has shared a few tips for ensuring a smooth traffic stop, no matter the violation.
- Stop the vehicle in a safe place away from traffic as soon as possible.
- Kill the engine, roll down the windows, and place your hands on the driving wheel. If it’s dark outside, turn on the interior lights to give the officer a good visual. If you’re in the passenger’s seat, keep your hands visible.
- Only reach for your purse or wallet, registration, and proof of insurance when instructed to by the officers. Do not reach for the glove box until prompted by the officer.
- Do not make sudden movements. Narrate everything you’re doing, ie, “I’m reaching for my purse in the backseat.”
- Keep your tone calm and respectful.
