DPS trooper cites HOV lane violator after finding fake baby in car seat

PHOENIX — In the middle of rush hour, Arizona drivers can be tempted with the thought of taking the HOV lane when they’re alone.

While that usually ends with a fine of at least $400, one motorist decided to get creative while riding solo.

Spoiler; it didn’t work.

Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman Clinton Mehr told KTAR News 92.3 FM Wednesday of a woman who was pulled over driving in the HOV lane with a fake baby in the car seat.

Another One Busted! On Sept 11th at 5:40 p.m., one of our motor troopers stopped a driver for an HOV Lane violation on the e/b side of L-202 San Tan near Alma School. The 48-year-old woman of Chandler told the trooper she was on her way to pick up her grandchild. pic.twitter.com/AMeuzgdLu9

— Dept. Public Safety (@Arizona_DPS) September 26, 2018

“When [the DPS trooper] walked up [to the vehicle], he saw the driver and didn’t see anyone else in the car, but when he looked in the backseat, there was a baby seat with a doll in it,” Mehr said. “She was issued a citation for the HOV violation and cited into court.

“To have something like this happen so quickly… It’s not good. The law’s there, obey the law. If you want to fool people, fool our troopers, you’ll get caught and you’re going to get in trouble. You’ll get a ticket.”

Not a week prior, a motorist was pulled over for driving in the HOV lane with a mannequin.

DPS spokesman Bart Graves told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Monday that the level of boldness doesn’t happen often but “this is not really anything new.”

In Arizona, state law forbids solo drivers from entering the HOV lane between Monday and Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Graves said the violations that occur in the afternoon are usually blamed on traffic preventing people from getting home from work or attending to family.

It’s unknown the amount the two motorists were cited for due to a judge’s ability to adjust fines based on the circumstances surrounding the violation.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Griselda Zetino contributed to this report.

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