Traffic official urges special CHP unit to enforce carpool lanes

After being presented Friday with evidence that carpool lanes are clogged with drivers who don’t belong in them, a Metropolitan Transportation Commission member called for creation of a special enforcement unit to crack down on carpool and toll-lane cheats.

During a meeting of the MTC’s Operations Committee, Haggerty called on the California Highway Patrol to create a special enforcement unit focused on carpool lanes, toll bridges and the combined carpool-toll lanes known as express lanes that are beginning to spread across the Bay Area.

“It’s time we look at legislation either that CHP look at a toll enforcement arm or that we, as the Bay Area Toll Authority, have one,” he said.

Andrew Fremier, MTC’s executive deputy director of operations, said the association that represents the state’s toll-bridge and toll-lane operators also favors creating a CHP toll enforcement unit.

Jim Spering, a commissioner and Solano County supervisor, suggested that Caltrans post messages on the electronic message signs that hang over and beside Bay Area freeways displaying the number of carpool lane violations issued and reminding drivers of the fine, which starts at about $281 before fees are added.

Amanda Snowden, the CHP’s assistant chief for the Bay Area, declined to comment on the enforcement unit idea, saying she would present it to her superiors.