Troopers Watching For Solo Divers Using I-75 HOV Lanes In Oakland Co.

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — Troopers haven't been paying attention to solo drivers in Oakland County's new carpool lanes on Interstate 75, but that will change now, according to Michigan State Police.

Troopers started enforcing the rules on Monday for the new carpool lanes, which reserve these lanes during rush hours for HOVs, or high-occupancy vehicles, according to Michigan State Police.

The new lanes, between 12 Mile Road and South Boulevard, are restricted for drivers with more than one person inside a vehicle from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. The one exception is for single riders on motorcycles. Outside those hours, all drivers are allowed to use the lanes.

Troopers will write a $135 ticket for any single driver caught using the lanes. Two points will also be added to the driver's record that will stay valid for two years, according to Michigan State Police.

The citation for commercial vehicles is $195, as well as two points, according to Michigan State Police.

Any driver who gets six or more points in three years could be denied vehicle insurance, according to Michigan State Police.

"As with any traffic law, a combination of compliance, education and enforcement will be used to ensure that HOV lanes are used appropriately," Michigan State Police said in a social media post. "As always be nice out there and buckle up!"

The were built along with the Interstate 75 Modernization project, meaning federal dollars will be used to fund the project. It was unclear how much the project would cost taxpayers.

Officials hope the new lanes, which opened last October, will reduce congestion from normal lanes during rush hour and improve overall traffic operations, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Michigan became the 20th state to use high occupancy vehicle lanes on its freeways, according to the Federal Highway Administration.