New transponder system reducing illegal HOV lane usage


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SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Department of Transportation's new transponder system for the HOV toll lanes is getting credit for cutting the number of single drivers trying to sneak into the lane -- but UDOT officials say there are still plenty of would-be cheaters out there.

Researchers from the University of Utah did a study roughly a year ago. They determined between 15 and 20 percent of drivers using the high occupancy vehicle lane did it illegally.

Since the new electronic tracking system has been in place, UDOT officials estimate that percentage has been cut in half.

"Now we're more around what other states are seeing, which is eight or nine percent," said UDOT spokesman Nile Easton.

With the new system, it's much easier for a trooper to spot a car that doesn't have a transponder and see if that car has more than one person in it. But, Easton says, they're still catching people trying to get out of a ticket by dressing up dummies to make them look like a passenger.

"We've seen that [and] we've seen them put a hat and a coat on the chair next to them," Easton said. "People have tried to get very creative."

Sneaking into the HOV lane is a lot less lucrative than it used to be, Easton said, provided you didn't get caught. Under the old system, single drivers who used the lane saved themselves nearly $50 by not buying a monthly pass with the state. With the new transponders, single drivers only pay to use the lane when they want to.

So, single commuters without the transponder may only be saving themselves a few cents if they don't get caught. Easton says drivers will probably feel like saving those few cents isn't worth it if they are busted and have to pay an $80 ticket.

E-mail: pnelson@ksl.com

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