Can’t fake it: Arizona DPS nabs driver in HOV lane with mannequin

PHOENIX – Admit it, the thought has crossed your mind while you’ve been stuck in traffic.

But the Arizona Department of Public Safety is reminding motorists it’s a bad idea to fake their way into the high-occupancy vehicle lane.

On Tuesday, the agency posted photos of a man caught driving in the HOV lane with a mannequin in the passenger seat.

Troopers weren’t fooled by the dummy’s stylish red cap, sunglasses and turquoise sweatshirt in the car on Loop 202 at Alma School Road in Mesa.

Another one Busted! Don’t let this be you…. A driver was cited for HOV lane violation along the SR 202 at Alma School, for having a dummy masquerade as a passenger. pic.twitter.com/97xZVyi9dC

— Dept. Public Safety (@Arizona_DPS) April 24, 2019

Doug Keenan, the trooper who pulled the man over, said he noticed something was up when the person in the passenger seat would not move.

“When I contacted the driver, he almost acted as if I wouldn’t notice it,” he said.

Drivers caught violating HOV rules are subject to $400 fines.

Vehicles are only allowed in the Valley’s HOV lanes weekdays between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. if they have two or more people aboard.

Cars with Arizona’s “Blue Sky” license plates, motorcycles and buses are also allowed in the lanes during the restricted times.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ashley Flood contributed to this report. 

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