[a hypothetical discussion] These are my own rules for cheating in California carpool lanes while I (don't) wait for my stickers: 1. Get a Prius. Distinctive styling will tell CHP that you belong in the HOV lane. 2. Do it in the dark (not required, but better). Harder to see that you don't have your stickers, from both CHP and fellow commuters. 3. No drinking beforehand. (Never drink and drive!) If you have a brew with the boys after work, stay out of the HOV lane. 4. Don't duck in the regular lanes if you see a cop. This is a dead giveaway. Pretend that you belong in the HOV lane once committed. 5. Don't hold up traffic. This is not a good time to focus on your mileage. Go with the flow of traffic. 6. Have the means to pay if you get a ticket. These can be expensive (almost $400), but it doesn't count as a moving violation.
Or not. Driving a Prius without the stickers not only risks a ticket, but gives those legal Prius drivers a bad name by flaunting the law.
Well, I hope to have mine stickers soon so I can be pious too, but until then I will consider my own rules.
Agreed. $400 is real money. That's why there are rules. My post is designed [hypothetically] to reduce risk. I would never just pop into the carpool lane with any old car under any circumstances -- too risky.
The risk of being caught without the HOV stickers wouldn't be worth it to me...in SoCal I think it's a $271 fine for carpool lane violations. That $ would be better put to use elsewhere in lieu of saving a few minutes by traveling illegally in the HOV lane.
I know I have been inspired by this post as I eagerly await the arrival of my stickers! Today, for me was actually a little test pilot for something like you mentioned. I took my 4 year old son with me in my car to my mothers house which is near work. On the way there, and back home, I pretty much was always in the carpool lane. Several cops passed me, and did not even bat an eye! It was weird, I know they could not really see my son, and my windows are tinted, its like they understand that hybrids belong in the carpool lane no matter what! :lol:
Can we modify that to say - if you've had a brew, stay off the roads altogether (at least until you've waited it out for the appropriate amount of time).
oh lord...guess its okay to flaunt the law because your car gets slightly better gas mileage than mine congrats
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(too tall @ Jan 31 2006, 09:53 AM) [snapback]201227[/snapback]</div> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(buyaninsight @ Aug 13 2006, 10:48 PM) [snapback]302884[/snapback]</div> Not to get TOO pedantic here, but you are speaking of flouting the law by flaunting your Prius. I would prefer if you did neither, since I would not like to see the exemption extended, which it will be if too many Prius-flaunters flout the law.
Why not just have the STEALTH modification made to your Prius and you won't have to worry about your HOV stickers? I have it but the only problem is when I park and forget to switch the stealth off. Gary
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(molgrips @ Aug 14 2006, 07:57 AM) [snapback]302978[/snapback]</div> Sure I could have...I could have just posted the definition!
Susan, I just realized that your avatar is now the "inverse" of what it used to be. We had small dog in large Prius. Now we have large dog and small Prius. If the model were in the dog's mouth it would be a more perfect inversion, i.e. Small Prius in large Dog.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rick Auricchio @ Aug 14 2006, 11:03 AM) [snapback]303089[/snapback]</div> No, no Rick. The dog is on steroids. That IS the full-size car! B)
Forget the stickers, and the Prius, just get a big-nice person pick-up or SUV and go for it. I see them all day long, cruising solo. It must work for them. Also, just cross over the double yellow whenever you feel ike it. It works for them. I've never seen one get stopped, ever .
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(molgrips @ Aug 14 2006, 10:57 AM) [snapback]302978[/snapback]</div> Of course we can. Are you sure you really know what pedantic means? Now, sit down, this may take a while Let us begin by reviewing comparative morals across major civilizations, cross referenced to legal frameworks which support or conflict with the societal moral norms. Then we can begin to develop a premise with which to approach the discussion of the definition of 'cheating'. You realize of course, that we must first define 'cheating' before we can begin to develop a probative rule set for the action. I suspect it may only take us a year to get to a tentative defintion of 'cheating'. You sure you have enough coffee? Oh. btw, true pedants rarely indulge in alliteration, so we don't have to worry about flouting by flaunting That would be entirely too humorous and distract from the important issues at hand.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tempus @ Aug 14 2006, 03:53 PM) [snapback]303157[/snapback]</div> THATS A LOT OF WORDS :huh: how bout you go stick you head in the oven and switch it on. its not 'cheating' thats breakign the law. You are already having a hissy fit in this and other threads that people drive legal vehicles that aren't up to your moral standards. Nice to know they come with an asterisk
