When I-15 reopens, there may be more to get used to than you think.
The new freeway is bigger, handles more traffic, and if you're willing to share a ride, you can take advantage of a new addition to Utah roadways-- something called an H.O.V.
News Specialist Jed Boal explains.
If you don't know know what H.O.V. stands for, get ready hear it every day.
It stands for High Occupancy Vehicle.
The H.O.V. lanes are the carpool lanes, and they open Monday.
Take a look around on the Interstate.
Odds are, you're driving alone, and most motorists around you are going solo too.
Jed: DO YOU KNOW WHAT HOV STANDS FOR? Woman: NO.
Jed: DO YOU OFTEN HAVE TWO OR MORE PEOPLE IN YOUR VEHICLE? Man: I DON'T, BUT I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE USEFUL.
I THINK IT'S GOOD, SOMETHING LIKE THEY DO IN CALIFORNIA. CUT DOWN ON GAS. ESPECIALLY AS MUCH AS GAS COSTS NOW. EVERYBODY'S GOING TO BE USING THAT LANE.
According to a recent national report, Salt Lake City commuters average 18 hours a year stuck in traffic jams.
I-15 reconstruction will cut that time, but so will car-pooling.
Joe Walker/UDOT: THE CARPOOL LANE IS A PEOPLE MOVER. IT'S NOT NECESSARILY A CAR MOVER. IT'S TO TRY AND FACILITATE THE BEST USE OF THE FREEWAY, BY HAVING CARS WITH MULTIPLE PASSENGERS IN IT.
The H.O.V. lanes are the ones furthest to the left.
They run from 106th South to 6th North, marked with a solid yellow line on the left and a solid white on the right.
You cannot cross the yellow line. You can cross the white line to merge to or from the lane.
For downtown access from the south, the H.O.V. lane has its own exit and on ramp at 4th South.
Jed Boal/Eyewitness News: SO WHO'S ALLOWED IN THE H.O.V. LANE? ANY VEHICLE WITH TWO OR MORE PEOPLE, UTA BUSES AND MOTORCYCLES. WHO'S NOT ALLOWED? NO SEMIS, VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS OR BOATS.
If you break the carpool regulations, you face a class C misdemeanor.
It's a variable fine up to $799.
Joe Walker/UDOT: WE PROBABLY OUGHT TO JUST OBSERVE IT. STAY IN THE LANE IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE. IF YOU'RE NOT, DON'T GO INTO IT.
A parent and a child in a carseat are fine.
A person with a manequin is not. Apparently that's something motorists have tried in Southern California.
