Driver Caught With Dummy In Contra Costa Co. Carpool Lane

CONTRA COSTA, CO. CA — "Shame on you" is the message accompanying a ticket the California Highway Patrol sent to a motorist Thursday who tried to cheat the carpool-lane rules on Highway 4 between Antioch and Pittsburg around 7 a.m. with a "Venom"-like action figure out of the Marvel characters, officials said.

The effort appears highly unusual to law enforcement and the courts, according to authorities.

"Normally, people don't have a dummy in the front seat. People are always thinking of creative things to get out of a ticket, but I've never seen one like this," Contra Costa CHP spokesman Brandon Correia told Patch.com.

However, the veteran officer, with a decade of experience under his belt, has seen other strange scenarios including a "Chucky" doll, modeled after the horror-movie character. He's also seen such unusual backlashes from drivers as thrown water bottles and tobacco spit at motorists.

"People get super pissed (off)," Correia said.

In this incident, other motorists were honking at the responding officer to get the attention of the Highway 4 offender, he added.

The alleged offender, who was not identified by the CHP, ended up with a ticket and a hefty fine for allegedly driving illegally in the HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lane.

The fine for such an offense can run a minimum of $400, according to CHP and the California Department of Transportation. These offenses may also affect motorists' insurance. Per California state law, the goals of an HOV lane are to reduce congestion and improve air quality on the highway system.

It's a simple idea. More people in a car take up less space on the road than additional vehicles. Plus, in relation to a Global Climate Summit going on in neighboring San Francisco, less exhaust means fewer carbon emissions resulting in a better planet, according to experts.

Apparently, this motorist is not alone with his infraction. A Contra Costa County Superior Court clerk in Walnut Creek said her courthouse hears about a dozen cases a month of alleged HOV-lane abuses. She characterized most as ones in which motorists are riding without another passenger, but added offenders using a mannequin is extremely unusual. Richmond is a particular hotspot for this court, she said.

An Alameda County clerk cited how HOV offenses are considered "traffic" violations, not "moving" ones associated with speeding, for example. The latter carries points. The former, which also can also amount to a seatbelt or cell phone infraction, comes with fines.

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--Image via California Highway Patrol