HOV lane etiquette during carpool hours

[Motofool]

I believe that many cagers don't even know that motorcycles are entitled to use the HOV or carpool lane in USA (as a Federal law).

I use one of this lanes everyday with no major problems; however, last evening, coming back home on a zone marked for 65 mph limit, I had this crazy guy in a Ford Explorer tailgating me at 80~85 speedo speed for more than two miles, while I was trying to find an open space in the next lane, which was moving around 60~65 mph.

When I found the proper space between cars of the next lane to move over and was ready to do it, the guy in a rush came around me and told me some nice things, just to cut me off and speed up to close to 100 mph back onto the HOV lane.

This is my etiquette:

1) Try not to ride over 10 mph of the next lane, because it is unsafe for conditions and because desperate cagers constantly and illegally jump into the lane just to pass.
2) Move over to the next lane, signaling first and as safe as possible, and let others go by if they are in a rush, returning back to the HOV.
3) Move over inside the lane to let faster motorcycles go by.

What is your etiquette?

[lgk]

If i see anything approaching at high speed,
maintain or increase speed pull over to let them pass.
go back if nothing approaches after one minute.

[cuong-nutz]

Yeah the speed limit is the same as regular roadway on the Hov but people tend to think its the autobahn since traffic is usually light. I usually go faster than psl but lately I haven't been so much due to my ticket.

Edit: Hov lanes here in Houston are one lane except for one highway where it's two lanes which is shared with with a toll. If they're speeding than I'll switch to the other lane and move back.

[iplante]

Not HOV related but I've had many people (usually driving SUV's or pick ups, not sure why??) that follow me WAY TOO CLOSE.

I usually just take my left hand and sign them to back off and 95% of the time it works.

[Motofool]

How is your hand sign?

http://foodfamilyfinds.com/you-are-t...ease-back-off/

[iplante]

Hah maybe I should print that on a patch to put on my jacket

Ok so the hand sign is really easy. your upper arm is at a 90 degree angle from your body, and the forearm points UP another 90 degree to be parallel to your body.

the top of your hand faces behind you. curl all your fingers except the middle one, which needs to stand straight and proud

...Kidding!

[lazarith]

Or you could just throw an egg over your shoulder...
And enjoy the look of tire marks on your back

[RaceTech Electric]

Sounds like the guy driving the SUV was just a giant douche. Just be aware of your surroundings and think logically about your decisions.

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by lazarith

Or you could just throw an egg over your shoulder...
And enjoy the look of tire marks on your back

Or a small chunk of spark plug ceramic & enjoy the look of his windscreen exploding back into the cab

[toua70]

This is when I wait until there are multiple cars in front of me and on the side to make my move.

1. make sure there are enough space for you to lane split in between (in california only)
2. reach into your pockets and grab your pennies (at least 10-15)
3. throw the pennies into the air and let them his the douche's windshield
4. give the finger and lane split to safety... yay!!

[akima]

We don't have HOV lanes. Closest thing we have is that you now have to pay a fee to drive in inner London unless you're driving a "green" vehicle or a motorcycle.

[alex.s]

a lot of people split the hov and main lanes so if someone is just cruising the hov, i think etiquette is to stay to the left to let the splitters keep right where its safer for them (opposed to splitting the shoulder)
i usually will do about 15+... 10+ seems fine to me.
if it was me i would have remembered his license plate and called in a drunk driving report at the next stop. supposedly they keep track of those even if they dont make an arrest.

[jman511115]

Originally Posted by akima

We don't have HOV lanes. Closest thing we have is that you now have to pay a fee to drive in inner London unless you're driving a "green" vehicle or a motorcycle.

Wtf. It's getting ridiculous over there.

[akima]

Originally Posted by jman511115

Wtf. It's getting ridiculous over there.

Fixed.

[xSean13]

^^
They're trying to do the same over here (in general), hopefully that will change in a few months.

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by akima

We don't have HOV lanes. Closest thing we have is that you now have to pay a fee to drive in inner London unless you're driving a "green" vehicle or a motorcycle.

Not in your city, but in a few places (Bristol, Birmingham) they have bus lanes you can legally use on a motorbike, there are 2+ lanes in Birmingham too.

[lgk]

Originally Posted by Whiskey

Not in your city, but in a few places (Bristol, Birmingham) they have bus lanes you can legally use on a motorbike, there are 2+ lanes in Birmingham too.

we have those as well in metro areas.
i'm not sure if they are OK for motorcycles though.

i'll look up to see if there's a statute against it.
if not i'll just ride it and see if the cops pull me over.

[Whiskey]

The bus lane sign specifically say motorbikes are allowed, then there are some places where common sense usually prevails & you can get away with it

[Reswob]

Originally Posted by jman511115

Wtf. It's getting ridiculous over there.

Don't worry, major metro areas stateside will have similar setups soon enough.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by Reswob

Don't worry, major metro areas stateside will have similar setups soon enough.

Uhh, I don't know what planet you're from, but I've seen hybrid parking spaces and hybrids allowed in the express/premium/HOV lanes in the states for years and years. Tax credits weren't the only incentive to buy them. Only in recent years did they finally move to take that privilege away for hybrids in CA... after everyone and their granny had one. I still see "alternative fuel" allowances in GA (Driving solo on natural gas? Welcome to the HOV lane!)

[Reswob]

Originally Posted by CZroe

Uhh, I don't know what planet you're from, but I've seen hybrid parking spaces and hybrids allowed in the express/premium/HOV lanes in the states for years and years. Tax credits weren't the only incentive to buy them. Only in recent years did they finally move to take that privilege away for hybrids in CA... after everyone and their granny had one. I still see "alternative fuel" allowances in GA (Driving solo on natural gas? Welcome to the HOV lane!)

Nowhere in the US that I'm aware of, is there YET a road where vehicles except "green vehicles" are charged money to drive on, ala London's "congestion charge". They are, however, working on implementing such a system.

[jman511115]

Originally Posted by Reswob

Nowhere in the US that I'm aware of, is there YET a road where vehicles except "green vehicles" are charged money to drive on, ala London's "congestion charge". They are, however, working on implementing such a system.

I'm sure the first place to try it will be our bastion of stupidity known as California.

[lostdaemon]

Originally Posted by jman511115

I'm sure the first place to try it will be our bastion of stupidity known as California.

I'm surprised we don't have that yet!

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by Reswob

Nowhere in the US that I'm aware of, is there YET a road where vehicles except "green vehicles" are charged money to drive on, ala London's "congestion charge". They are, however, working on implementing such a system.

Actually, it's come and gone for hybrid vehicles and remains for other "green" vehicles:
http://fastrak.511sd.com/san-diego-t...-express-lanes

It's an HOV lane AND a tolled express lane. Solo drivers in an EV, ZEV or AFV with a sticker can use it for free while solo drivers in a traditional vehicle cannot. Until 1 year ago, hybrids could ride solo for free (received an "HOV OK" sticker). That's why they were so popular in CA. Other states had similar programs/proposals, but hybrids are too common now.

Can I drive my hybrid or zero-emission vehicle on the I-15 Express Lanes for free?

Only zero-emission vehicles displaying the approved Clean Air Vehicle Sticker issued by the California DMV are allowed to travel in the Express Lanes for free with a solo driver. If you drive a hybrid vehicle, the only way to ride in the Express Lanes for free is if there are two or more people in your vehicle. The California Department of Motor Vehicles Hybrid Clean Air Vehicle Decal Program ended July 1, 2011. Owners of hybrid clean air vehicles displaying yellow Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decals are no longer allowed to operate their vehicle in a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane unless the minimum passenger requirements are met. After July 1, 2011, use of an HOV lane without the minimum required passengers may subject the driver to a citation.

Originally Posted by lostdaemon

I'm surprised we don't have that yet!

You did/do.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by CZroe

It's an HOV lane AND an tolled express lane.

They started the tolled express lanes in some of the Miami's expressways.............talking about cars flying.......