1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Got stopped today in carpool lane!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by RonH, Nov 20, 2006.

  1. RonH

    RonH Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2004
    556
    7
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    The one use I regularly make of my carpool lane stickers is a reserved lane on a freeway interchange on my daily commute - about 100 yds and 2-3 minutes. CHP likes to park at the ramp meter and play "gotcha." Today he grabs me and starts his lecture, but after I point out my stickers, "Oh you've got a hybrid, have a nice day".
     
  2. derkraut

    derkraut Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2006
    299
    27
    0
    Location:
    SAN
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Well...maybe the CHP needs some OJT on "automolbile recognition"??? ;)
     
  3. silentak1

    silentak1 Since 2005

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2005
    893
    28
    0
    Location:
    LA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Mistakes happen. At least he didn't purposely hold on to you *after* you pointed out your stickers.
     
  4. MarinJohn

    MarinJohn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2004
    3,945
    304
    0
    I guess it's a little hard to see those FOUR HUGE BRIGHT YELLOW carpool lane stickers. Must be those regulation CHP aviator sunglasses! We all make mistakes, at least the officer recognized his and proceeded accordingly and respectfully. It's all we can ask.
     
  5. RobertG

    RobertG New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2006
    166
    1
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RonH @ Nov 20 2006, 06:09 PM) [snapback]352344[/snapback]</div>
    I'd enjoy being pulled over as that would mean that CHP is paying attention to who is in the carpool lane on interstate 80 along the east side of the San Francisco Bay. I've never seen someone ticketed there in the past three months I've been paying attention. I regularly see people using the carpool lanes on I-80 with fewer than the required three occupants and no clean air sticker.
     
  6. eclectcmoi

    eclectcmoi Muffinologist

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2006
    6,764
    17
    10
    Location:
    Lakewood, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Were you actually in the car pool lanes or on the on ramp getting on the freeway? I've wondered if you can skip the metered, red lighted lane in favor of the car pool only lane that doesn't have to stop. I've just been too chicken to push it in front of a CHP. I really don't want one of those $341 tickets!
     
  7. juliem

    juliem Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2006
    57
    0
    0
    Location:
    Oakland, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RobertG @ Nov 21 2006, 12:06 PM) [snapback]352679[/snapback]</div>

    A couple of weeks ago, I was driving from Berkeley to Oakland on 580/80 during the evening rush hour, and I actually witnessed the CHP pull over a lone driver in the carpool lane. Needless to say, I was cheering and laughing for a solid ten minutes. I happened to be on the phone (BT, of course!) with a good friend when this went down, and we both agreed that anyone lame enough to drive in that lane solo deserves the high price ticket. But she was highly amused at how gleeful I was. She's not yet a Prius owner, so I think she was a bit jealous. :p
     
  8. GeekEV

    GeekEV Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2006
    417
    14
    0
    Location:
    NorCal, USA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eclectcmoi @ Nov 21 2006, 01:26 PM) [snapback]352697[/snapback]</div>
    Round here those carpool entrance ramp lanes have diamonds on them too. Since the stickers say "<> Access OK", I've always assumed it to mean those too. No problems so far, but that could just be luck. :)
     
  9. jbarnhart

    jbarnhart New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2004
    629
    1
    0
    Location:
    Santa Clara, CA
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RobertG @ Nov 21 2006, 12:06 PM) [snapback]352679[/snapback]</div>
    I could be wrong (it happens frequently) but I'm 99% sure that all carpool lanes on both sides of the bay are "2 or more" people. I know the GG bridge is "3 or more", and perhaps the Bay Bridge. But all the roads are 2 or more. If I'm right....
     
  10. RonH

    RonH Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2004
    556
    7
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eclectcmoi @ Nov 21 2006, 03:26 PM) [snapback]352697[/snapback]</div>
    Uh, yes. specifically it was an interchange ramp between two freeways what was metered in all lanes. One lane is marked with the diamond indicating car pools only. My attitude is that if is marked with a diamond and a sign saying carpools only, I can go there.