I'm just not sure that a Prius with one passenger should be in the HOV/Carpool lanes to start with...It may be blasphemy here, but surely, we can all agree that a one-person Prius does not a High-Occupancy-Vehicle make... :blink:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Thomas Brock @ Apr 10 2006, 11:07 AM) [snapback]237516[/snapback]</div>

Um, yeah, but if it has HOV stickers that explicitly allow it then it's fine. The Prius may not be contributing to reduced traffic, but it is contributing to reduced pollution and gas consumption.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Potential Buyer @ Apr 10 2006, 12:29 PM) [snapback]237522[/snapback]</div>

Indeed, there are some cities/states that allow Prius' to get and maintain the proper authorization...My point is...A car with one person shouldn't be in the HOV/carpool lanes.

In VA, the purpose of the HOV lanes is to allow mass-transit to flow without any impediments. This means buses, “slug†vehicles and, of course HOV cars (either two or three riders).

These lanes had been so underutilized that the VA lawmakers decided to allow motorcycles, law enforcement vehicles (if they are on duty) and Clean Fuel vehicles to use the HOV lanes. Clean Fuel vehicles include LPG fueled cars and trucks, electric cars, and hybrid cars and trucks.

If the lanes are becoming crowded lets begin taking away the exemptions from the vehicles that have the least benefit to the public.

1) Lets STOP letting hybrids that get less than 40 MPG on the HOV lanes.

2) Most motorcycles get less MPG than my car, why should they be allowed an exemption?

3) There are so many law enforcement vehicles on the HOV lanes and not all of them are on duty. I see Fairfax County police driving all the way down the 95 HOV lanes – all the way through the adjoining county – and I know they aren’t on duty. The FBI-like vehicles that cruise up the roads at 75 MPG (without turn signals) are just using the road as their employee benefit. If they are going to use the road then they should obey the traffic laws.

4) Lastly, without a doubt, the violators outnumber the hybrids. The state police do such a poor job enforcing this problem that it will not stop.

I do utilize the HOV lanes every day. However, I know that it is a temporary privilege that can be revoked at any time in order to keep mass-transit flowing. But, let’s go after the vehicles that use the most gas and spew the most emissions!

My two cents.


Oh, BTW, I do have a carpooler in my car every day. So, that's HOV2... not HOV3 as intended on that part of the highway but still better than an SUV with three people.

While pollution and fuel consumption is certainly a problem, it seems to me that the amount of vehicles on the roads, especially in areas where HOV lanes have been created, is also a huge problem. The more people who buy hybrids in these areas and get the stickers that will allow them to drive solo in the HOV lanes, the worse the traffic problem is going to get, no?

We the people, need every incentive possible, to get our consumption of fossil fuels reduced.

If allowing hybrids in an HOV lane causes a few people to replace their cars/SUVs with a higher economy car, then the plan is working. In order for the masses to get on the bandwagon, they have got to see others doing it. We are in the lead. Make the masses envy you in the HOV lane and perpetuate the end goal of reduced polution and foreign oil dependance.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(unruhly @ Apr 10 2006, 01:07 PM) [snapback]237544[/snapback]</div>

And until then, traffic will simply be as congested as always...Except for the privileged few...

There's no good solution, other than economical mass transportation.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Thomas Brock @ Apr 10 2006, 12:32 PM) [snapback]237524[/snapback]</div>

Yeah I agree, Car pool lanes need to be limited to 3-4 passengers in a vehicle no one should get special treatment just because you drive a ev or a hybrid vehicle...

If you want to kick out ev and hybrids, you need to kick out the Bikers first. Most of them do not even get close to 40mpg now anyways. They should require HOV permits just like exempt cars with mileage requirements. And when evs and hybrids are rejected, so goes bikes.

I like using the HOV lane with my Prius but have to admit it was an odd incentive. Functionally we belong there d/t lower emissions but physically we are taking up the same amount of space but with only one person.

I am sure this will pass. Gas prices are swinging high again which will be incentive to many to switch. The Tax break was a bigger incentive than the car pool lane.

As far as the people defending their right to go the "speed limit" in the car pool lane, I don't think that is right. When you drive so much slower than the "flow", you should be to the right, not in the HOV lane. This applies to Prius and any car with 1 or more individuals in it. The need to impede traffic to prove a point is just childish.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Salsawonder @ Apr 10 2006, 10:31 AM) [snapback]237559[/snapback]</div>

I agree up to a point.

But what is considered "flow" of traffic? Is 100mph flow of traffic? I have seen idiots think that going 90+mph down the highway to consider it as "flow" of their traffic.

I don't mine bumping up 10+ or even 15+ mph over speed limit, but 25+ mph over speed limit cannot be considered "flow".

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dipper @ Apr 10 2006, 01:52 PM) [snapback]237570[/snapback]</div>

I agree with Dipper...

Them numbers on the metal signs aren't 'speed requirements'...They're not even really 'speed limits'...They are recommended speeds by the state DOTs for that particular piece of roadway.

I drive by few rules...The most important is 'Drive as safe as possible'. That means, as fast as I'm comfortable given conditions of the road, traffic and weather. Normally, five or ten miles over the posted recommendation on highways. That's all. I've been passed by foolish drivers on interstate highways while I was doing 80 (posted speed was 75)...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Thomas Brock @ Apr 10 2006, 09:32 AM) [snapback]237524[/snapback]</div>

This is really a local or region specific-issue. There are many factors involved, and while you are entitled to your opinion, which may be valid for your area. I suggest unless you know the traffic flow in Calif, the driver behavior, all the things involved, your opinion is as relevant as my opinion would be on a North Carolina traffic issue.

I don't see driving the speed limit as "impeding traffic" at all. I see driving well over the speed limit as dangerous, irresponsible, and, oh yeah, illegal.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dipper @ Apr 10 2006, 10:52 AM) [snapback]237570[/snapback]</div>

I agree, this morning I was passed by a car that had to be doing 95+. I was in the carpool lane doing 70+ and he/she went around me before I could even react. This is just plain nuts !! I will slow down in the carpool lane if the traffic in the next lane is stopped or barely moving. If you're doing 70 and someone pulls into the carpool lane over the double yellow you're toast.

My whole issue with this article is not who should or should not use the carpool lane. But giving the impression that the whole cause of the slowing of the carpool lane is due to hybrids. If a study is done I just wish the number of illegal cars are taken into account.

Ken

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Salsawonder @ Apr 10 2006, 01:31 PM) [snapback]237559[/snapback]</div>

So if I have a few people in my car and I want to use the HOV lane does that mean I have to break the law and speed? I would not speed to use the lane. People that speed and people that are 5mph or below the posted speed limit are the problem. At least around here they are. Last time I heard the HOV lane is not the autobahn and has the same rules as the rest of the roads.

Just to let you know I live in an area that has no HOV lanes and even if there was one I would most like not use them. But 99.99% of the time I will drive the speed limit and no faster. Onlytime I will go with the flow is in a traffic jam or slow moving traffic.

i have the stickers, but i virtually never use the carpool lane, i go too slow, and i stay in the slow lane. smug, envy, no sir. i don't want other drivers to be more upset than they are. i try to drive ( and live ) with consideration for others, and if i do use the HOV lane, my car goes 80 with the rest of the fools.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jsf @ Apr 10 2006, 02:04 PM) [snapback]237578[/snapback]</div>

I agree, it's a local issue. And I also agree that I'm in North Carolina and typically, we don't have California-esque traffic...

But can't we all agree that one person in a car isn't a High Occupancy Vehicle or a carpooling vehicle?

Why not have a "Hybrid/EV" lane? That sounds like a good solution. Seperates us, Hybrid elites from the mundane drivers!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Thomas Brock @ Apr 10 2006, 11:21 AM) [snapback]237595[/snapback]</div>

OK I better understand your position - one of semantics what to call the lane rather than suggest what should or should not be allowed in my area.

I would have nothing against generalizing the term, but there would be some challenges. Specifically, there are different classes of vehicles besides hybrids, such as LP vehicles, that can use the HOV lane. In Calif they all have similar stickers, but different colors. If it were called something general such as "Limited Access Lane" there would probably be much confusion.