Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Transportation and the Utah Highway Patrol are trying a new tactic to try to stop people from illegally using the HOV/express lane.
Trooper Cameron Fawson is one of two troopers per shift who work on HOV lane enforcement in Salt Lake County. He frequently catches drivers using the lane illegally, especially during rush hour.
“The No. 1 excuse we still get is: ‘I had no idea. I wasn’t aware this was a carpool lane,’” said Fawson.
The No. 1 excuse we still get is: ‘I had no idea. I wasn't aware this was a carpool lane.'
–Cameron Fawson
UDOT's own research shows a surprising number of drivers shouldn't be in the lane. About 17 percent of the people in the express lane are actually violators, said Tania Mashburn, UDOT spokeswoman.
Cars without the electronic transponders and containing only one occupant are in violation of the law whenever they enter the express lane.
UDOT has sold 8,700 express tags, which charge a fee for each particular zone you use, up to $1, along the more than 40 miles of express lane stretching from Layton to Lehi. New construction will extend the lane to 62 miles, longer than any in the country, according to UDOT.
People who use the express lane do save time on their commute. “The people who use the express lane, on average, are going 10 miles per hour faster than the general lane,” Mashburn said.
UDOT has recently installed indicator lights on the barrier to help troopers catch violators. If it flashes green, it means the express pass is valid.
“The majority of the lights we do see are yellow,” explained Fawson. The fine if you are caught is $82, but it is not the only violation troopers are looking for.
“One of the most common violations that we do see is entering or exiting the HOV lane over the double solids,” Fawson said. He said this violation is illegal because it is dangerous.
UDOT is posting billboards on the freeway to remind drivers not to cross the double-white lines.
Troopers say one exception to crossing the double-white lines is to move over for an emergency vehicle, either stopped on the left side of the HOV lane, or one behind you, with lights and sirens.
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
