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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    11

    Question Carpool Freeway Onramp Ticket

    My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: California (Los Angeles)

    I was cited by the CHP for entering the 10 West FWY at Fairfax in the carpool lane. My court date is next month. Please let me know if my defense will hold water in court.

    As noted below, I entered the FWY in the metered lane after the light turned green. I then crossed the dotted white line and proceeded to enter the FWY in the right lane. The CHP officer was in the shoulder far from the light and noted she saw me enter the FWY in the carpool lane. However, based on the curve of the on-ramp and where she was sitting, I do not believe she could have seen which lane I entered from. She only assumed I ignored the light and entered in the carpool lane.

    Do I need to bring any other proof to court to show reasonable doubt? Should i try to park my car in the shoulder and get a picture of my rear view mirror to show that you cant see the light? Thanks!


  2. #2

    Default Re: Carpool Fwy On-Ramp Ticket

    What code were you specifically cited for?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    11

    Default Re: Carpool Fwy On-Ramp Ticket

    The officer wrote 21655.5(b) Driving solo in the HOV lane

    (b) The Department of Transportation and local authorities, with
    respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions, shall place
    and maintain, or cause to be placed and maintained, signs and other
    official traffic control devices to designate the exclusive or
    preferential lanes, to advise motorists of the applicable vehicle
    occupancy levels, and, except where ramp metering and bypass lanes
    are regulated with the activation of traffic signals, to advise
    motorists of the hours of high-occupancy vehicle usage. No person
    shall drive a vehicle upon those lanes except in conformity with the
    instructions imparted by the official traffic control devices. A
    motorcycle, a mass transit vehicle, or a paratransit vehicle that is
    clearly and identifiably marked on all sides of the vehicle with the
    name of the paratransit provider may be operated upon those exclusive
    or preferential use lanes unless specifically prohibited by a
    traffic control device.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    19,901

    Default Re: Carpool Fwy On-Ramp Ticket

    Despite the fact that you believe the purpose of the HOV lane is purely to bypass the metering light, that is not the case. The HOV preferential lane is an independent concept (which may or may not have a metering light itself depending on which district you are in). It's unclear what subterfuge you are trying to instill. If you drove in the diamond lane, you're guilty whether you stopped at the metering light or not.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    11

    Default Re: Carpool Fwy On-Ramp Ticket

    flyingron - thanks for the reply. Where does the diamond lane legally end? Is it when the solid white line turns dotted? I entered the FWY in the metered lane then crossed over the dotted lines. I am not trying to deceive, just stating the facts.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Tacoma, WA
    Posts
    1,534

    Default Re: Carpool Fwy On-Ramp Ticket

    The diamond lane ends where the dotted lines end and the two lanes merge into one.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Officially across the country from where I've been all my life
    Posts
    4,494

    Default Re: Carpool Fwy On-Ramp Ticket

    Did you know that some of those metered lights at the freeway on ramps have lights on the opposite side so that the officers can tell when the light is red and when it's not?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    11

    Default Re: Carpool Fwy On-Ramp Ticket

    Quote Quoting PTPD22
    View Post
    The diamond lane ends where the dotted lines end and the two lanes merge into one.
    Thanks. Not the answer I wanted to hear, but at least I now know I got no chance in court....Well, only if the CHP does not show up, and that's most likely slim to none......

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