Hacker News Reader

Comment by cbxyp | Hacker News Reader

Being in a separate lane from the majority of traffic makes traffic deaths far less likely. 3+ HOV lanes (mother, child, father) are quite worthwhile. Driving in California I know I'd rather pay the toll than be in traffic with unpredictable vehicles.

View on HN

It’s fascinating how easily a well-intentioned idea can become discriminatory.

1. let’s make families safer

2. 3+ HOV lanes to select for families

3. Single parents of one don’t apply

3+ HOV lanes aren’t oriented at families, it’s just coincidence that two parents and one kid reach that threshold. Where I live 2+ carpools are the norm which are great when I’m out with my son.

But no, no one designed carpools to make families safer.

Yeah it’s 2+ here too. I’m pretty sure it was purely a cut off based on quantity of vehicles of each mode.

I’m more speaking to the above good-faith idea.

There is one bridge where it is 3+ here, and that’s really just because the traffic is much heavier. Carpool lanes aren’t designed for families at all, rather they are designed to discourage single occupancy commuters. That families get to use them is just a consequence that families drive in cars with multiple passengers.

Where I live it goes down to 1 if you’re driving an electric vehicle

Toronto has some special purpose lanes that "green" vehicles* are allowed to use, in addition to buses and HOVs. But I'm pretty sure the new HOV lanes on the 400 don't include green vehicles, and at some point I expect "green" vehicles to lose this special privilege.

* You can apply to get a green licence plate if your car meets certain emissions standards.

California or just the Bay Area are in a similar situation.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com