Driver Caught Using Plaid Shirt as 'Passenger' in HOV Lane
A recent incident involving a driver in a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane has gained attention. A Washington State Patrol (WSP) trooper stopped a vehicle on northbound Interstate 405 in Renton. The driver attempted to pass off a decorated seat back as a passenger by dressing it in a plaid shirt.
WSP District 2 Public Information Officer Rick Johnson reported the incident on social media. The driver, hoping to meet carpool lane requirements, was stopped during morning rush hour. A photo shared by Johnson clearly depicted the plaid shirt draped over the empty seat.
Johnson reminded the public, "A seat dressed up like a human still does not count for HOV." Previous similar incidents occurred in the area. In October 2023, a driver was ticketed for having a creepy clown dummy as their so-called passenger.
For a first-time HOV violation, the driver faces a fine of $186. If found disguising a doll or dummy as a passenger, an additional $200 fine could apply. It remains uncertain whether this incident resulted in a ticket or if the decorated seat back qualified as a dummy.