Manners to Money: Carpool & HOV Lanes

Traffic. No one likes it, but really, who lives next-door to where they need to be? Public transportation can be a wonderful solution in major urban areas with good infrastructure. However, for many areas in the U.S., infrastructure and lifestyle limit public transportation. Introducing the carpool lane--or HOV lane. 

There are many names for the them—including “HOV” lanes, “HOT” lanes, carpool lanes, diamond lanes, and 2+ lanes. The intent is to increase the number of people and reduce the number of cars in congested areas. 

What are HOV lanes or carpool lanes?

The government technically calls what are commonly referred to as carpool lanes High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. They are called diamond lanes in some areas because of the diamond symbol painted in the lane.

Carpool lanes are part of a traffic management strategy that is supposed to encourage people to ride together. Fewer vehicles carrying more people means less congestion. 

Signs, the diamond symbol, and/or buffer zones marked by barricades, dividers, and single or double solids lines define HOV lanes. Some areas do not allow exiting or entering the carpool lane except near offramps or designated entryways. 

What is a HOT lane? 

The HOT lane isn’t a summer fad. HOT stands for High-Occupancy Toll. These are lanes or toll roads that have special access for high-occupancy vehicles, single-passenger vehicles like motorcycles, and other HOV lane autos. For example, a toll highway may have a better rate for HOVs. 

HOT lanes are different than Express Toll lanes, which don’t have special rates for high-occupancy vehicles.

Basic rules and manners for carpool lanes

• Do NOT cross a solid line to enter or exit the carpool lane
• Do NOT block faster traffic to utilize the carpool lane
• Pull into a slower lane to allow faster traffic to pass when the line is not solid
• Pay attention to signs posting hours and number of occupants enforced
• The carpool lane is NOT a passing lane

What are normal carpool hours?