What is a HOV lane?

A HOV lane, or High Occupancy Vehicle lane, is specifically designed to encourage carpooling and the use of public transportation. This type of lane is reserved for vehicles that have a minimum number of passengers, often two or more. The purpose of HOV lanes is to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality by encouraging more efficient use of roadways, as they allow cars with multiple passengers to bypass slower-moving traffic in general-purpose lanes. By promoting carpooling, HOV lanes help to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, ultimately benefiting all drivers by easing traffic jams and lowering emissions.

In contrast, lanes meant for heavy vehicles, exclusively commercial vehicles, or reserved for emergency vehicles serve different purposes and do not focus on passenger occupancy or carpooling as a means to improve traffic flow. While these lanes are essential for their respective types of vehicles, they do not align with the objectives of a HOV lane in promoting shared transportation options.