No, You Can't Use the Carpool Lane Just Because You're Pregnant - Berkeley, CA - Every driver has a strange question or two, and the California Highway Patrol has answers.
Can a pregnant woman legally drive in the carpool lane?
Can a Pregnant Woman Legally Drive In the Carpool Lane? Most carpool or high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes across the country are intended for cars with two or more passengers in them. That means that you must have at least one other person with you when you’re driving in order to use the specialized lane.
Did a pregnant woman get a ticket for driving in HOV lane?
Texas HOV lane: A pregnant woman got a ticket. She says her fetus was her passenger - CNN A pregnant woman got a ticket for driving in the HOV lane in Texas. She says her fetus was her passenger
Can a pregnant woman fight a carpooling ticket?
According to True Commuter, one of the most famous cases where a pregnant woman fought a carpooling ticket was that of Candace Dickinson from Arizona. In November 2005, Dickinson – a 23-year-old pregnant woman that was weeks away from giving birth – fought a $383 fine in court stating that her unborn child counted as a passenger.
How many people are eligible for a carpool lane?
As a general rule, you are eligible if you have two or more people in the car. Often, carpool lanes will be separated into ‘2+’ or ‘3+’ lanes, which tells you how many people need to be in the car for you to use the lane.
Who Qualifies for the Carpool Lane?
Why are carpool lanes important?
How long has carpooling been around?
Why did the government spend $100 million on carpooling?
How many people are required to ride a motorbike in Ontario?
Can pregnant women drive in carpool lane?
Can you drive in a carpool lane while pregnant?
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Can pregnant people use carpool lane?
In short, no, a pregnant woman cannot count her unborn baby as a separate passenger. According to the laws in California, the CHP states that “California law requires that in order to utilize the HOV lane, there must be two (or, if posted, three) separate individuals occupying seats in the vehicle.
Who can drive in California HOV lanes?
Who Can Use HOV Lanes? Motorcycles, mass transit, and vehicles with two or more (2+) occupants are allowed to access the HOV lanes during their operational hours. An "occupant" is defined as any person who occupies a safety restraint device, i.e., seat belt.
What is the carpool law in California?
Vehicle Code 21655.5 VC is the California statute that makes it unlawful for a person to drive in a carpool lane with no passenger. A carpool lane is also referred to as a “high-occupancy vehicle lane.”
Does a baby count for the HOV lane in NY?
Yes. All States with HOV facilities count children and infants as passengers.
Does a baby count as carpool in California?
Good news, mom, from California Highway Patrol Officer Bradley Sadek: Yes, a child does qualify as a passenger in the HOV Lane. Commonly referred to as a “Carpool Lane,” legally they are designated as “High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes” (HOV). The number of occupants required is indicated by signs that accompany the lane.
How do I fight a HOV lane ticket in California?
Beating a carpool lane ticket isn't easy, but you may be able to get the charge lessened or dismissed by: Contesting it in court. Hiring an attorney. Asking for a trial by declaration.
Is carpool lane a moving violation in CA?
Wrongful use of the carpool lane is not a moving violation and no points will be assessed to your drivers' license. If you are cited for crossing over double yellow lines to enter or exit a carpool lane you will likely be charged under CVC 21655.8. First time offenders will be fined between $100 and $150.
What is HOV violation?
Any person driving a motor vehicle in a designated HOV lane in violation of this section is guilty of a traffic infraction, which shall not be a moving violation, and on conviction shall be fined $100.
Can you exit the carpool lane at anytime in California?
A driver generally cannot enter or exit a carpool lane (technically defined in the California Vehicle Code as a preferential-use lane for high-occupancy vehicles) by crossing over the double parallel solid lines that are in place to define the carpool lane.
Do dogs count as carpool in California?
NOPE! Apparently, in California, and all other states with HOV lanes, a dog is not considered a passenger.
Can Tesla drive in carpool lane without sticker?
Driving without an HOV sticker is the same as driving in the carpool lane without the required number of people.
How do HOV cameras work?
When a car speeds by at up to 100 mph (a different crime), the cameras capture its front and back, including the license plate. Using geometric algorithms, the system determines whether there are enough people in the car to qualify for the HOV lane, and bust accordingly.
Do hybrids qualify for HOV lane?
Often referred to as "carpool lanes," HOV lanes are open to carpoolers, buses, and motorcyclists in most areas. Some HOV lanes are accessible to certain inherently low emission vehicles (ILEVs), such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), regardless of the number of passengers.
Can Class C RV go in carpool lane California?
The answer is yes for Class A RVs, but the California Highway Patrol website states, under the section about carpool lanes with regard to trucks and cars with trailers: “Any vehicle towing a trailer, large trucks, and other vehicles subject to a 55 MPH speed limit cannot use an HOV lane regardless of the number of ...
Can Prius drive in carpool lane California?
The California Legislature approved the hybrids in carpool lanes as a way of encouraging the use of the low-emission, high-fuel-economy vehicles. The law grants carpool-lane access to hybrids that get at least 45 mpg. So far, only the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic and Honda Insight qualify.
Are hybrids allowed in carpool lanes in California?
If you drive a hybrid or other qualifying low-emission car, you may be allowed to drive in the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on the highway, even if only one person is in the car. You need to apply, obtain a decal, and display the decal in your car window.
Who Qualifies for the Carpool Lane?
As a general rule, you are eligible if you have two or more people in the car. Often, carpool lanes will be separated into ‘2+’ or ‘3+’ lanes, which tells you how many people need to be in the car for you to use the lane. Depending on the state, you may also be eligible to drive solo in the lane if you drive a low-emissions vehicle like an electric or hybrid car.
Why are carpool lanes important?
This is desirable because more people per car means less traffic congestion, which results in lower emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and other air pollutants, which have a negative effect on health.
How long has carpooling been around?
Carpooling (or ridesharing) has a long and colourful history, going back over a hundred years. In the early 1900s, the government tried to crack down on carpooling, since it interfered with the profits of streetcar operators. These government interventions resulted in a 90% drop in carpooling.
Why did the government spend $100 million on carpooling?
During the second world war, however, the government did a U-turn and spent $100 million (in today’s money) promoting carpooling in order to save resources . This gave rise to the famous poster which read, “when you ride alone, you ride with Hitler.” These days, the practice is surging once more, spurred on by smartphone apps that connect drivers to passengers.
How many people are required to ride a motorbike in Ontario?
Motorbikes and bicycles are also eligible in most states, although, in Ontario, a motorbike must have two passengers to qualify. Other exemptions include buses, police vehicles, ambulances, and other public service vehicles.
Can pregnant women drive in carpool lane?
In the US, multiple court cases have been heard in which a pregnant woman has argued that their pregnancy is an acceptable reason to drive in the carpool lane. While this may appear to be a silly question at first, it is actually very interesting from both a legal and philosophical perspective.
Can you drive in a carpool lane while pregnant?
That is because a passenger is generally defined as an individual who occupies a separate seat to the driver. Another problem is that if a foetus is defined as a person, then you could actually be violating another law, which is the law that two people cannot sit behind the driver seat at the same time!
How many people are allowed in a HOV lane in California?
In the words of CHP: "California law requires that in order to utilize the HOV lane, there must be two (or, if posted, three) separate individuals occupying seats in a vehicle. Until your 'passenger' is capable of riding in his or her own seat, you cannot count them."
Does California have a chain requirement?
If you're going to be navigating difficult roads in heavy snow, the California Department of Transportation may declare a chain requirement. First, check online at www.dot.ca.gov to see if and what kind of requirement has been established.
Can you tint your car in California?
According to CHP, the main requirements for legal window tinting in California are: The windshield and front driver's side and passenger's side windows cannot receive any aftermarket tinting. If the rear window of a vehicle is tinted, the vehicle must have outside rearview mirrors on both sides.
Can you use the carpool lane while pregnant?
No, You Can't Use the Carpool Lane Just Because You're Pregnant. The rules of replying: Be respectful. This is a space for friendly local discussions. No racist, discriminatory, vulgar or threatening language will be tolerated. Be transparent. Use your real name, and back up your claims. Keep it local and relevant.
What criteria can you use to determine whether a car belongs in the carpool lane?
But look at it this way, if you’re a police officer what criteria can you use to determine whether a car belongs in the carpool lane? The only logical answer is the number of people you can see occupying seats.
Why is the unborn not considered a passenger?
Because the unborn remains conjoined to the mother, does not drive its own vehical, does not contribute to the gas kitty, nor ever leaves the confines of the womb, its not considered a valid passenger.
How many people can drive on I-880?
Certain routes in the San Francisco Bay Area I-80 and I-880, Los Angeles I-10 El Monte Bus Way (during peak hour) and San Diego I-5 San Ysidro requires three or more (3+) persons per vehicle to access the HOV lanes. Signs along the highway will specify the enforcement policy for each route. For San Francisco Bay Area ONLY, originally factory designed vehicles with a maximum two-seat occupancy may access the HOV (3+) lanes as long as there are two occupants in the vehicles.
What vehicles are exempt from occupancy requirements in California?
Motorcycles, public mass transit and para-transit vehicles are also exempted from the occupancy requirement under California Vehicle Code §§21655.5 . Other bus services, such as school bus, charter, or sightseeing transports, are not exempted and must carry the minimum number of occupant to be eligible.
Should carpooling be allowed on the road?
Realistically the point of the carpool lane should be to take cars off the road, so in theory they should limit the carpool lane to those who have cars and are carpooling. This wouldn’t go over well with some people so they have allowed non-drivers to be part of the carpool lane.
Is a baby in utero a second passenger?
Assuming you’re asking if a fetus, or baby in utero counts as a second passenger, no. This is a letter of the law vs. the spirit of the law issue. Why were diamond or carpool lanes created in the first place? To ease congestion on freeways, and this is accomplished by multiple people sharing one vehicle. The same number of people using the same freeway but with fewer vehicles on the roadway. If a pregnant mother is the only seated occupant in the vehicle, that’s not alleviating congestion.
Can a pregnant woman be a person?
A pregnant woman by herself is only one person. That would be the reason. An unborn fetus is not a person - or a car pool ticket.
Who lost her appeal for driving alone in a HOV lane?
An Arizona woman has lost her appeal of a ticket she was given for driving alone in a highway HOV lane. Candace Wilkinson, of Phoenix, claimed her fetus should count as the second "person" in the car with her in the lane reserved for carpoolers.
Who said Phoenix Police were less pregnant than Miss Wilkinson?
Phoenix Police Sgt. Dave Norton said, "The previous one was a whole lot less pregnant than Miss Wilkinson, and to follow her philosophy would require officers to carry guns, radios and pregnancy testers, and I don't think we want to go there."
How many people can use the carpool lanes on the Costa Mesa Freeway?
By law, only vehicles with at least two people inside may use the car-pool lanes that run the 12-mile length of the Costa Mesa Freeway. The county Transportation Commission set up the lanes a year ago to encourage car-pooling among commuters.
Why did Yasger use the carpool lane?
And she decided that she was entitled to use it because she had read that a five-month fetus is considered to be alive.
Did Gyll write 5 months pregnant on her ticket?
Gyll cited her anyway, but he did write “Five months pregnant” on her ticket.
What happens if you drive in a car outside your uterus?
If the other people in the car are outside your uterus, you are conveying them somewhere and thus cutting down on resource use. If they're still in your uterus, they're basically using the same resources you are, and going where you go.
What is the point of the HOV lane?
The point of the HOV lane is to reduce the number of vehicles driving at any one time.
Why are HOV lanes important?
The point of HOV lanes is to reduce CO2 emissions.
Why do women lie when they are pregnant?
Because it would be hard to prove that a woman is pregnant. She could be a single driver, and if she gets pulled over for carpool violation, she could easily lie and say, "I'm pregnant" even though she's not, just to get out of a ticket.
Do you have to carry all adults to run in the hov lanes?
That's an excellent point, but you don't have to be carrying all adults to run in the hov lanes.
Can a fetal rights law kill an unborn baby?
The fetal rights law is about the most ads backward law there is. No one can kill an unborn baby but it's own mother. Doesn't make sense to me.
Do infants occupy seats in the womb?
Infants in the womb do not occupy seats. It's really that simple.
What is the best way to cover an empty infant seat?
Covering an empty infant seat with a blanket or placing a doll in it.
Can a lone hearse use the diamond lane?
And no, lo ne hearse drivers transporting clients to their final rests cannot use the diamond lane.
Who Qualifies for the Carpool Lane?
As a general rule, you are eligible if you have two or more people in the car. Often, carpool lanes will be separated into ‘2+’ or ‘3+’ lanes, which tells you how many people need to be in the car for you to use the lane. Depending on the state, you may also be eligible to drive solo in the lane if you drive a low-emissions vehicle like an electric or hybrid car.
Why are carpool lanes important?
This is desirable because more people per car means less traffic congestion, which results in lower emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and other air pollutants, which have a negative effect on health.
How long has carpooling been around?
Carpooling (or ridesharing) has a long and colourful history, going back over a hundred years. In the early 1900s, the government tried to crack down on carpooling, since it interfered with the profits of streetcar operators. These government interventions resulted in a 90% drop in carpooling.
Why did the government spend $100 million on carpooling?
During the second world war, however, the government did a U-turn and spent $100 million (in today’s money) promoting carpooling in order to save resources . This gave rise to the famous poster which read, “when you ride alone, you ride with Hitler.” These days, the practice is surging once more, spurred on by smartphone apps that connect drivers to passengers.
How many people are required to ride a motorbike in Ontario?
Motorbikes and bicycles are also eligible in most states, although, in Ontario, a motorbike must have two passengers to qualify. Other exemptions include buses, police vehicles, ambulances, and other public service vehicles.
Can pregnant women drive in carpool lane?
In the US, multiple court cases have been heard in which a pregnant woman has argued that their pregnancy is an acceptable reason to drive in the carpool lane. While this may appear to be a silly question at first, it is actually very interesting from both a legal and philosophical perspective.
Can you drive in a carpool lane while pregnant?
That is because a passenger is generally defined as an individual who occupies a separate seat to the driver. Another problem is that if a foetus is defined as a person, then you could actually be violating another law, which is the law that two people cannot sit behind the driver seat at the same time!
A Brief History of Carpooling
What Is The Point of Carpool Lanes?
Who Qualifies For The Carpool Lane?
Pregnancy and Carpooling – The Court Cases
Pregnancy and Carpooling – The Philosophy
Summary
- In general, pregnancy is not a valid reason to drive in the carpool lane from a legal perspective. That is because a passenger is generally defined as an individual who occupies a separate seat to the driver. Another problem is that if a foetus is defined as a person, then you could actually be violating another law, which is the law that two peopl...