Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Richard Piatt Reporting Confused commuters are confounded by new rules and stiff fines. Life in the fast lane is a pain for some motorists.
"I would say overall there are some issues, as far as people knowing what to do."
Paying to use those toll lanes could cost a lot more than we thought. That's why Utah's Highway Patrol is busy these days.
Troopers are trying to give people a break when they can. But enforcement will eventually be an important part of maintaining those commuter lanes because abuse could lead to chaos, plain and simple.
The law says these vehicles can't move from the commuter lane: A double solid white line is the reason. Now, with the dashed line, they could get in or out, if they wanted to.
This seems like such a simple thing. But the Utah Highway Patrol says a lot of people just aren't getting it--yet.
Jeff Nigbur/ Utah Highway Patrol Trooper: "As far as the double white lines, it's a huge one. People just don't understand you can't cross those double white lines."
We went out with Trooper Jeff Moskalik, who sometimes gets an earful from people who feel like they've been pulled over unjustly.
And this day, there were several.
"You can't cross that solid white line, all right?"
"Here's why I'm stopping you. You can't cross that double white line, okay?"
The driver of a gold Audi wanted to get off at 123rd South. He says he didn't see any dashes before his exit. He says, "I'm new here, so. We don't have that stuff in California."
"I'm from California as well, and they have a lot of carpool lanes there."
"They don't have the dashes thing."
The 'dashes thing' is supposed to keep order to cars getting on and off the freeway.
Jeff Moskalik/ Utah Highway Patrol Trooper: "That'll probably alleviate some of the accidents that are happening, with people shooting across four lanes all at once."
People are wondering about signs to make it less confusing. You can stop wondering, soon.
Nile Easton/ Utah Department of Transportation: "People just need information. They need to know when they can get in and out, and it's coming."
All those people were given warnings only about crossing the white line. But eventually, troopers will start handing out the tickets--and the fine will show they're serious about following the rules.
