HOV Lane Madness...

I'm frequently frustrated when driving on Highway 1 between Vancouver and Coquitlam by other drivers' lack of understanding regarding the proper way to use the Highway 1 High Occupancy Vehicle lane. Many drivers think of this lane as an 'Express Lane', or a high-speed passing lane, which it is not.

The HOV lane has been set up as an alternative Traveling Lane, like the rightmost lane only with restricted and limited access. Access is restricted to vehicles with 2 occupants or more and is limited to specific locations immediately before and after on- and off-ramps. Due to this limited access, the HOV lane really cannot be used as a passing lane without breaking both the law and the spirit of the lane itself.

Last year, there was a tragic crash in the HOV lane eastbound between Brunette Avenue and the Cape Horn Interchange on Highway 1 in which a mother and 2 of her 3 children were killed. The vehicle which collided with their broken down vehicle in the HOV lane was a single-passenger vehicle which pulled into the HOV lane to execute a passing maneuver.

So, next time you are considering pulling into the HOV lane to 'sneak past' some traffic while alone in your vehicle, be aware that you could receive tickets for:

• Crossing a solid white line (points and a fine),
• Driving unlawfully in the HOV lane with less than 2 vehicle occupants (fine) and possibly,
• Speeding (points and a fine)

In addition you are violating the spirit of the HOV lane which is to reward multiple-passenger vehicles at rush hour when traffic becomes severely congested on Highway 1 with a limited-access lane that doesn't have people continually moving in and out of it.