Would you carpool if...

[X9 Racer]

...they raised the speed limit to 80mph ONLY ON THE CARPOOL LANES?

I noticed on a recent trip to Long Beach that only a small % of drivers use the carpool lane, while traffic is jammed on regular lanes, so I started thinking of incentives for commuters to carpool.

[DEZERTSUB]

I shouldn't even bring this up because I cannot cite the study it came from...but carpool lanes cause more traffic than they relieve.

However, if the single carpool lane speed limit was raised to 80MPH, I don't think it would make that much of a difference.

That is merely my opinion though...

[dan200]

Around here the car pool lane has such few users you can probably hit 100 and make it a few miles before you came up on someones bumper. OK I am exaggerating but it seems to be a very underused part of the highway. People don't wanna give up the freedom our vehicles give us. Just look in your garage and tell me you wanna give that up?

I think if you drive an "Alternative Fuel Vehicle" you can use it also but I may be wrong.

[DEZERTSUB]

What Dan said is applicable in California.

Hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, along with motorcycles, may use the carpool lane solo.

And those hybrids always do 65 and irritate the crap outta people!!!!

[mark@PhotoAhead]

You better enjoy the car pool lanes soon. After the government uses tax payer money to build them they plan to sell them off to private companies for toll roads.

Your tax dollars at work.

[Chris Tobin]

You better enjoy the car pool lanes soon. After the government uses tax payer money to build them they plan to sell them off to private companies for toll roads.

Your tax dollars at work.

Correct! The "FastTrack" on the 91 Fwy is a self fulfilling prophesy... It promiced faster commutes but made the rest of the traffic slower by taking up so much Fwy real estate therefore the only way you can get through fast is to use their system. Fortunately for me when I lived in SoCal and was commuting, I was on my bike and bikes are free all the time West bound and free East bound except between 4-6 PM when they are half price.

Bikes and CNGs in the carpool lanes is cool by me as these are poluting less and such but Hybrids in the carpool lanes as a single occupant vehicle is dumb!!! They are at their least effecient and most poluting when driving along at Fwy speeds. If they are to be the environmental saviors that people claim they are, they need to be working at their peak effeciency which is in stop and go traffic! They should not be allowed to race along at the effeciency of a standard compact car just because they are a hybrid, but it is politically correct to give hybrid owners breaks that the vehicles dont deserve so that is what happens!!!:mad:

my 3 cents!!!

[tre5]

I think it would make it more dangerous in AZ. Unlike CA, you can change in and out of the carpool lane anytime you want. The problem with hauling arse in the carpool lane out here in AZ is that cars in the left lane, barely moving, will dive out into the carpool lane. This causes anyone moving quickly in the car pool lane to slam on the brakes to avoid rear ending them. In CA maybe it makes sense because you guys have lane change restrictions, and even divided roads dedicated to carpool only.

[MiSsKuSKiE]

I have no one to carpool with, therefore, NO! I would like a hybrid though, but they're quite expensive for me. :(

[Demp]

I have no one to carpool with, therefore, NO! I would like a hybrid though, but they're quite expensive for me. :(

i thought u wanted a effing 4 door accord?????????? hybrids are cool ... but not fun to work on... the motors have a HUGE magnet in the motor/trans ... kinda like a giant stator on a bike... and if your not smart.. you can get shocked very easily.. take it from experience :rolleyes:

I once had a customer car come in to the dealership i used to work at, the complaint was " customer states MPG has dropped, only gets 41 MPG, Please advise " :eek:

i was like ... ummmmm ok checked the tire pressure..each tire was 2 pounds low.. set them at the correct PSI.. got that car up to 55 MPG on the freeway...

i wish my F-150 got 55 mpg... :(

[MiSsKuSKiE]

i thought u wanted a effing 4 door accord?????????? hybrids are cool ... but not fun to work on... the motors have a HUGE magnet in the motor/trans ... kinda like a giant stator on a bike... and if your not smart.. you can get shocked very easily.. take it from experience :rolleyes:

I once had a customer car come in to the dealership i used to work at, the complaint was " customer states MPG has dropped, only gets 41 MPG, Please advise " :eek:

i was like ... ummmmm ok checked the tire pressure..each tire was 2 pounds low.. set them at the correct PSI.. got that car up to 55 MPG on the freeway...

i wish my F-150 got 55 mpg... :(

Tell KIA to kick it up a notch and make a hybrid :p

[randy s]

i'd carpool with jenna jameson and i don't even have a job.

[MiSsKuSKiE]

Better make an appointment to get an STD test now then..

[Ryan_P]

80 in the carpool lane? People don't even drive 65 in regular lanes!

People are too worried about texting, shaving, reading a book, etc. Ahhh the things you see on the freeway commuting to work...

[200MPHTape]

80 in the carpool lane? People don't even drive 65 in regular lanes!

People are too worried about texting, shaving, reading a book, etc. Ahhh the things you see on the freeway commuting to work...
Some were I saw that cell phone users add an average of 20mins to everyones commute time daily.
And why do all those hybrid and econo car drivers drive so f'ing slow trying to get the MFG suggest MPG? Come on, they just sold their "SUV" and are already getting 3 times the mileage they were getting!!

[squirrel80]

Two new laws dealing with the use of wireless telephones while driving go into effect July 1, 2008. Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions concerning these new laws.

Q: When do the new wireless telephone laws take effect?
A: The new laws take effect July 1, 2008.

Q: What is the difference between the two laws?
A: The first prohibits all drivers from using a handheld wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle, (Vehicle Code (VC) §23123). Motorists 18 and over may use a "hands-free device." Drivers under the age of 18 may NOT use a wireless telephone or hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle (VC §23124).

Q: What if I need to use my telephone during an emergency, and I do not have a "hands-free" device?
A: The law allows a driver to use a wireless telephone to make emergency calls to a law enforcement agency, a medical provider, the fire department, or other emergency services agency.

Q: What are the fines(s) if I’m convicted?
A: The base fine for the FIRST offense is $20 and $50 for subsequent convictions. With the addition of penalty assessments, the fines can be more than triple the base fine amount.

Q: Will I receive a point on my driver license if I’m convicted for a violation of the wireless telephone law?
A: No. The violation is a reportable offense, however, DMV will not assign a violation point.

Q: Will the conviction appear on my driving record?
A: Yes, but the violation point will not be added.

Q: Will there be a grace period when motorists will only get a warning?
A: No. The law becomes effective July 1, 2008. Whether a citation is issued is always at the discretion of the officer based upon his or her determination of the most appropriate remedy for the situation.

Q: Are passengers affected by this law?
A: No. This law only applies to the person driving a motor vehicle.

Q: Do these laws apply to out-of-state drivers whose home states do not have such laws?
A: Yes.

Q: Can I be pulled over by a law enforcement officer for using my handheld wireless telephone?
A: Yes. A law enforcement officer can pull you over just for this infraction.

Q: What if my phone has a push-to-talk feature, can I use that?
A: No. The law does provide an exception for those operating a commercial motor truck or truck tractor (excluding pickups), implements of husbandry, farm vehicle or tow truck, to use a two-way radio operated by a “push-to-talk” feature. However, a push-to-talk feature attached to a hands-free ear piece or other hands-free device is acceptable.

Q: What other exceptions are there?
A: Operators of an authorized emergency vehicle during the course of employment are exempt, as are those motorists operating a vehicle on private property.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DRIVERS 18 AND OVER

Drivers 18 and over will be allowed to use a "hands-free" device to talk on their wireless telephone while driving. The following FAQs apply to those motorists 18 and over.

Q: Does the new “hands-free” law prohibit you from dialing a wireless telephone while driving or just talking on it?
A: The new law does not prohibit dialing, but drivers are strongly urged not to dial while driving.

Q: Will it be legal to use a Bluetooth or other earpiece?
A: Yes, however you cannot have BOTH ears covered.

Q: Does the new "hands-free" law allow you to use the speaker phone function of your wireless telephone while driving?
A: Yes.

Q: Does the new “hands-free” law allow drivers 18 and over to text message while driving?
A: The law does not specifically prohibit that, but an officer can pull over and issue a citation to a driver of any age if, in the officer’s opinion, the driver was distracted and not operating the vehicle safely. Sending text messages while driving is unsafe at any speed and is strongly discouraged.

[Let's go off roading]

With my job I would not be able to car pool even if I wanted to. All the associates hours are part time and everyones hours are different. There are no two alike. Also all the employees live far from each other. I think that is why alot of people don't car pool.

[MALIBLOC]

I carpool with 2 other guys to work. that means I deive every three weeks in my truck it cost 130 dollars a week. pretty hairy.

[chicken lips the ocho]

just get some clothes and stuff it with pillows and stuff and put a hat over it and recline the seat all the way back and carpool all you want

[dan200]

just get some clothes and stuff it with pillows and stuff and put a hat over it and recline the seat all the way back and carpool all you want

Years ago my friend lived in Laguna but worked in Hollywood. He would use the carpool lane the whole way with one of those Mr Safety Carjack prevention dummies in his front seat. It worked for years. Havent seen him in years, I wonder if he ever got caught...

[mustafa]

does anyone know what the fine is if you were to duplicate the stickers from the hybrid cars on a regular civic. those stickers have really upped the value of those cars and i was wondering if i could make some stickers and put them on a civic. it would be worth the effort if the fine was only $341 for driving in the carpool lane even if i got caught once a year, but i don't know if they can slam you with some other fine for impersonating a "green" vehicle. i can save 30 to 40 minutes off of my drive home every day by using the carpool lane.