No more solo Diamond Lane in CA [Admin Warning: NO POLITICS]

[CharonPDX]

Hmmm... So they can comply with the federal rule and send out a notice, but you're suggesting they might just ignore the enforcement aspect? I suspect that's unlikely, and wouldn't advocate for anyone to test the theory. If they found a legal way to implement their own state-wide approach, that would be another thing.

Kudos if they do, bummer if they can't or won't.

Could make it a secondary offense - can't pull you over for it, only add it if you're being pulled over for something else.

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[SANZC02]

Could make it a secondary offense - can't pull you over for it, only add it if you're being pulled over for something else.

I don’t see them doing that, first offense is around $490 after court costs and other penalties, subsequent offenses go up from there. Seems like a decent amount of cash for them to wave by ignoring the violation.

 

[Joules Burn]

The big question - will California actually enforce it?

Heavy fines (and revenue generation) for Diamond Lane violations.

 

[CANCERDOC]

I love using the carpool lane for my daily commute in Orange County traffic - using the carpool lane on the 605 saves me a good 10-15 min each way and that adds up when the commute is 1:10-1:30 one way. Losing carpool access will make my commute that much more miserable.

 

[CANCERDOC]

Heavy fines (and revenue generation) for Diamond Lane violations.

I feel that right now 75% of the vehicles in the carpool lane aren't even eligible. ICE vehicles with one driver. Doubt CHP has the resources to enforce this to be honest. And none of the drivers use the dashed vs solid lines as entrance/exit from the carpool, they just cut across the solid lines without a thought.

 

[waitingonanr1s]

I think federal funding was a factor. The program was a federal permission for Interstate highways. The California version was a sticker good for three years. The feds took the permission away. NOT getting into politics but this is one federal mandate that California decided to not contest.

It was originally written into the law to sunset now. So while the current administration didn't push to end it, they certainly didn't push to extend it.

 

[waitingonanr1s]

The big question - will California actually enforce it?

Oh, I'm sure they will. Big money maker for the state ($500+ fine) - some of the HOT lanes already charged non-carpool EV's and they're working on a camera system that can automatically ticket for selecting HOV on the transponder when you'e not.

 

[Time2Roll]

I think federal funding was a factor. The program was a federal permission for Interstate highways. The California version was a sticker good for three years. The feds took the permission away. NOT getting into politics but this is one federal mandate that California decided to not contest.

Yes the issue has been present for maybe a decade. The funding was originally contingent on minimum speeds in the HOV lane to get federal funds to build the extra lanes. Of course we have tons of traffic in some places of CA and the stickers made the HOV lanes slow down that much more. Just a matter of giving up on continuing to delay the inevitable.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

The big question - will California actually enforce it?

Of course. $$$$$

 

[Joe Hoffman]

Bigger loss is the free or discounted express lanes, that was tied to the vehicle plate and did not expire.

Can you explain this? Are you saying there’s reduced HOV fees just for being an EV? How do I sign up for this?

 

[waitingonanr1s]

Can you explain this? Are you saying there’s reduced HOV fees just for being an EV? How do I sign up for this?

It depends on the toll facility and some of them require you to order the FasTrak through them. So your EV discounts vary based on which facility issues the FasTrak (the toll roads, express lanes, SANDAG, etc.). California has the most convoluted automated toll system I've ever interfaced with. On the positive side, a lot of the HOT lane tolls I should be billed for never hit my account (or show up months later). I wish Colorado would skip billing me for some tolls - but they get every one without fail, lol.

Of course now that I'm moving express lanes wants their $20 transponder back - still need to remember to throw that in the mail (also a first - didn't realize any state still operates on the deposit model). Guess I'll get another the toll roads one to keep on hand for future trips, since they're more consumer friendly and don't have a monthly maintenance fee.

 

[Gigabit]

This will make HOV lanes actually useable in some instances.

 

[mkg3]

...Is that the case? Are HOV lanes in CA just as congested as the non-HOV lanes? I wouldn't know as it's been a while since I've driven down there.

Probably has to do with when one is on the road more than anything else.

During heavy commute time, HOV lane is often slower and more congested than multi-lane freeway that the HOV exists. I often get out of HOV lane so that I can be in the regular lane during certain times and area.

On the weekends, just about everyone is a carpooler so is really is a moot point to have HOV sticker. If there is a traffic, then all lanes, including HOV lane is affected.

 

[waitingonanr1s]

Probably has to do with when one is on the road more than anything else.

During heavy commute time, HOV lane is often slower and more congested than multi-lane freeway that the HOV exists. I often get out of HOV lane so that I can be in the regular lane during certain times and area.

On the weekends, just about everyone is a carpooler so is really is a moot point to have HOV sticker. If there is a traffic, then all lanes, including HOV lane is affected.

Part of the problem is folks desire to drive in them just because they can - even if they want to go 10 mph below the limit. CA is the WORST about keeping right except to pass. Combine that with the 55 mph speed limit for trucks state wide and you can see why driving in CA sucks even in moderate traffic. They really need to get rid that 55 mph state-wide truck limit - it makes the roads much more dangerous IMO.

Some of the multi-lane HOV's are really nice - like the one on 15 San Diego-Escondido. I love that one. 3 HOV lanes inbound in the mornings! 2/2 all other times of the day.

But honestly I'm going to miss legally bypassing the traffic meter queues at on-ramps the most.

 

[sfvR1S]

I don't know where others are diving, but my commute in between the SFV & SB on the 405, which is probably one of the most congested freeways in the country, and I probably save 10+ minutes via the carpool lane.

To say the carpool lane doesn't save time is false.

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