How do state patrol enforce the HOV lanes at night? (cost, law)

[kanhawk]

It would seem hard to see how many people are in a car at night. Ever hear of people getting pulled over much driving alone in the HOV lanes after dark? Just wondering......

[Hemlock140]

Most are only in effect 5am-7pm so there's no need to enforce. On 520
west of 405 it's 24 hours a day and just a matter of a patrolman spotting someone, but it's a low priority since there's so much less traffic.

[Inkpoe]

Yep, it happened to DH and also to a couple friends. Always on i5 too... and usually the cops were hiding around or on the HOV exit ramp. They weren't actually alone but their passengers weren't easily seen as they're sleeping/lying down.

Years ago, before they set the hours on 405, the cops would park right on that bend on 405 SB (under past the Cedar Ave bridge). You never knew when they would be there and there's never enough warning because you couldn't see them til too late-- Of course, the cops has the perfect view as they're right next to the HOV lane.

[wutitiz]

I have heard of the WSP using night vision gear to enforce the seat-belt law. Obviously they could do the same thing with HOV, but perhaps it would not generally be worth their while. Obviously their main concern is revenue, so if enforcement cost exceeds fine revenue, they're not going to do it.

[Botev1912]

what about talking on the phone at night

[pw72]

These laws, I believe, are meant to be a deterrent, not necessarilly enforced. There is a difference.

[Hemlock140]

There number of people talking on the phone while driving doesn't seem to have changed at all since that law passed, I think they only enforce that when they happen to be next to or behind someone doing it.