QEW's HOV lane Hot Permit loophole?

[Paprika]

I used HOV lane on QEW from Trafalgar to Guelph Line almost everyday for years when I was carpooling on QEW, but now I'm driving alone and not using it, I see a lot of single drivers in the HOV lane and was curious what the hell was going on, and I kept seeing signs that say "Hot Permit" but never bothered to look it up, and today I finally did.

Turns out you can apply for a Hot Permit, enter a lotto, if you get picked, you can pay $60 a month for up to 9 months, and use the HOV lane along with people carpooling and those electric vehicles, then reapply by entering the lotto again. I have zero intention of paying for such a thing.

But this made me think, how does the OPP enforce the law if so many single drivers are using the HOV lane? If they start pulling people over for random checks and causing delay, the people who paid for these "Hot Permit" may not be very happy. Sometimes if an idiot gets into an accident, I have to sit in traffic for 20 minutes, who should I waste my time because of someone else's fuckup?

It's very tempting to just go into the HOV lane, and drive a few kilometers until passing the scene of accident, with so much traffic on the other lanes, the chance of an OPP pig pulling you over, causing even more traffic jam seems to be very slim. What are your thoughts?

 

[anon1]

There are license plate reading cameras on the HOV lanes.
You can do it and probably get away with it sometimes but you'll eventually get caught.

 

[MCUnwritten]

If I had to guess, they have it connected to their system for checking driver's licenses for who has the "Hot Permit" you're referring to. But like it's going to be a gamble every time you use the hov lane without a permit. I've seen plenty of people pulled over for a) using the hov lane without carpool, and b) driving over the double line to merge where there wasn't a break. I've lost count of how many over the years but it was mainly during rush hour. I'm sure you could get away with it every now and then but doing it consistently, you're bound to get caught eventually.

Also don't underestimate the OPP wanting to fill their quota, they'll just keep their lights on until you're all the way through 3 lanes and onto the far right shoulder. They also use the Toronto police strategy where one of them chills and flags the cars to another few further up. And then they pull over 3-5 at a time. Make them wait and hand them all tickets.

Safer to do what this champ did, got away with it for years if I remember right.
https://abcnews.go.com/Internationa...:text=That's what the Toronto Police,offense,"%20Toronto%20police%20said.

 

[Paprika]

There are license plate reading cameras on the HOV lanes.
You can do it and probably get away with it sometimes but you'll eventually get caught.

I get that last part.

However assuming the license plate reading cameras on the HOV can tell who has Hot Permit, keep in mind there are also other carpooling vehicles without Hot Permit mixed in, which basically makes these camera useless on their own.The cop has to be psychically there to pull the guy over to verify that it's a single driver without Hot Permit, which leads to the next question, where the hell do the cops hide to catch HOV cheaters?

 

[Ceiling Cat]

This is a good way to get tax revenue, if the HOV lane gets too clogged up, all they have to do is cut back on the places for the lottery.

 

[xyphy]

There are no cameras for HOT lanes. I have used the lottery for the permit and sometimes it was great depending on what time you were driving. Weekdays during rush hour it was the best. Other times not so great. even when I'm in the HOT when I have others in my car there is always the driver that goes about 100-115km/hr and completely slows everyone down behind them. I just think if you're going to drive that speed, just go in the middle "slower" lane.

 

[Paprika]

^I think most people buy it for work anyway, on weekends there is no hurry plus an oversaturation of families heading to niagara. The license plate reader is actually on the opp cruiser.

 

[y2kmark]

It's very tempting to just go into the HOV lane, and drive a few kilometers until passing the scene of accident, with so much traffic on the other lanes, the chance of an OPP pig pulling you over, causing even more traffic jam seems to be very slim. What are your thoughts?

Fuck around and find out.
Free country...

 

[explorerzip]

I used HOV lane on QEW from Trafalgar to Guelph Line almost everyday for years when I was carpooling on QEW, but now I'm driving alone and not using it, I see a lot of single drivers in the HOV lane and was curious what the hell was going on, and I kept seeing signs that say "Hot Permit" but never bothered to look it up, and today I finally did.

Turns out you can apply for a Hot Permit, enter a lotto, if you get picked, you can pay $60 a month for up to 9 months, and use the HOV lane along with people carpooling and those electric vehicles, then reapply by entering the lotto again. I have zero intention of paying for such a thing.

But this made me think, how does the OPP enforce the law if so many single drivers are using the HOV lane? If they start pulling people over for random checks and causing delay, the people who paid for these "Hot Permit" may not be very happy. Sometimes if an idiot gets into an accident, I have to sit in traffic for 20 minutes, who should I waste my time because of someone else's fuckup?

It's very tempting to just go into the HOV lane, and drive a few kilometers until passing the scene of accident, with so much traffic on the other lanes, the chance of an OPP pig pulling you over, causing even more traffic jam seems to be very slim. What are your thoughts?

I think the HOV lanes on the QEW and 404 are on a honour system. I haven't noticed any cameras on either highway like they have on the 407. Cameras could be easily installed though and If they can grab the plate, they can mail you the ticket.

 

[Burldude]

I was in Dallas 2 years ago and they do have these cameras. Even these trumptard idiots and gun loving wackjob don't dare to cross the line of their HOV lanes.

 

[anonemouse]

There are license plate reading cameras on the HOV lanes.

I don't think so.

 

[xix]

I was driving on the HOV, 8 years ago I think, before the permit. I got off close to my exit, a car passed me on the HOV single driver, the OPP was right behind him. I have no idea where opp came from, because the I never see an
OPP cruiser on the QEW between Brant st to Ford.

 

[explorerzip]

I was driving on the HOV, 8 years ago I think, before the permit. I got off close to my exit, a car passed me on the HOV single driver, the OPP was right behind him. I have no idea where opp came from, because the I never see an
OPP cruiser on the QEW between Brant st to Ford.

They probably use the blacked out stealth cruisers.

 

[Paprika]

They probably use the blacked out stealth cruisers.

I did googling to see where cops hide.

Behind billboards.
Behind bushes.
Behind over passes.
In driveways of businesses and private residences.
In the parking lot.
In between cars.
Within heavy traffic.
On the buses (filming distracted driver)

Also I saw this one myself recently:

On the right shoulder of the on ramp right before merging.

There may not even be a cruiser. I once got pulled over by some cop waving a radar gun on Burnhamthorpe right after I turned from Kipling doing 70km where speed is 50km.

 

[xix]

I drive in HOV lanes daily by myself never had an issue except for the idiots driving !00km. I paid for the lane.

Ahh I was waiting for this.
You are aware and most people are not. The hwy speed is 100km/h for ALL lanes, 24/7 in all of Ontario where posted.
HOV is not a race lane, or hyper drive lane. IT is a convenience lane for vehicles with pack people to by pass single drivers.

This is not the Autobahn.

 

[blueray]

This not the Autobahn.

Thank you. I drive the HOV lanes at 110-115 and sure enough some jack arse is up my ass flashing his high beams, like WTF?

 

[explorerzip]

I did googling to see where cops hide.

Behind billboards.
Behind bushes.
Behind over passes.
In driveways of businesses and private residences.
In the parking lot.
In between cars.
Within heavy traffic.
On the buses (filming distracted driver)

Also I saw this one myself recently:

On the right shoulder of the on ramp right before merging.

There may not even be a cruiser. I once got pulled over by some cop waving a radar gun on Burnhamthorpe right after I turned from Kipling doing 70km where speed is 50km.

They'd certainly do this on local routes. I can't see them doing that on the highway though. It's very dangerous to be sitting on the shoulder of the highway especailly with trucks rolling over recently. I know that intersection of Burnhamthorpe and Kipling quite well. It's an easy place to get caught as it's quite straight and there's enough trees around for the cops to hide. Renforth and Rathburn is another popular spot.

 

[danmand]

Thank you. I drive the HOV lanes at 110-115 and sure enough some jack arse is up my ass flashing his high beams, like WTF?

Yes, happens all the time. Are the speed limits not in effect in the HOV lanes?

 

[Paprika]

Thank you. I drive the HOV lanes at 110-115 and sure enough some jack arse is up my ass flashing his high beams, like WTF?

Things happen for a reason, understand cause and effect.

Cause: when you drive at 110-115, and there is a gap of 200-300 meters between you and the car in front, you're driving too slow, and blocking every other car behind you, since there's no way of passing without breaking some traffic laws.

Effect: Guy behind you tailgates and flashing high beams.

120 is more ideal, some do 130 but that's risky, 150+ gets your car impounded.110-115 is for people on the far right. if you're driving like a douche in the HOV lane...don't complain about people flashing you.

To achieve safe distance for defensive driving, use the 2-second rule, which is like 60-70 meters between you and the car in front on the 100km highway.

 

[danmand]

Things happen for a reason, understand cause and effect.

Cause: when you drive at 110-115, and there is a gap of 200-300 meters between you and the car in front, you're driving too slow, and blocking every other car behind you, since there's no way of passing without breaking some traffic laws.

Effect: Guy behind you tailgates and flashing high beams.

120 is more ideal, some do 130 but that's risky, 150+ gets your car impounded.110-115 is for people on the far right. if you're driving like a douche in the HOV lane...don't complain about people flashing you.

To achieve safe distance for defensive driving, use the 2-second rule, which is like 60-70 meters between you and the car in front on the 100km highway.

But Officer, I had to drive 125 km/h because there was a gap in front of me.