Drivers already running afoul of new HOV lane rules

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(Updated)

You now need three people in the vehicle if you’re using HOV lanes in the GTHA. The new rules are designed to keep traffic moving during the Pan Am games.

These new rules came into effect at 5 this morning, and police were out along the HOV lanes cracking down on drivers. It led to a frustrating commute for some this morning.

“It’s June! Why are they closed down now? It’s ridiculous for commuters.”

“I am not happy.”

Some commuters were frustrated, others were caught off guard as new rules for the HOV lanes went into effect this morning

“I saw temporary and I was kind of confused and there was a big back up so I was trying to get in and no one would let me in.”

“I didn’t know the HOV lanes had changed and so I wasn’t speeding and I am just trying to get to the airport and now I am pulled over.”

If you want to use these lanes, you now have to make sure you have three people in your car instead of two.

“Do you understand that you are in the temporary HOV lane?”

And during this morning’s commute, police were busting drivers who broke the rules.

OPP Sergeant Kerry Schmidt told CHCH News, “For the most part the drivers knew the rules and they just got caught. There were one or two who claimed ignorance to the law but in the end the signs are well posted, the roadway markings are down.”

If you get caught it’s a $110 fine and three demerit points.

During the Pan Am games the HOV lanes – which run from 5 am to 11 pm – will be open to:

• vehicles with three or more people;
• public transit;
• taxis;
• emergency vehicles;
• and accredited games vehicles.

Below: Maps depict locations affected by HOV lanes. Base maps from Google Maps with information from the province of Ontario.