Double-Double (yellow line) question

[DaveToo]

On the Dumbarton eastbound approach to the toll booth, there are a couple of miles of HOV-only lane separated by two pairs of double-yellow lines, with crosshatches in between.

My unerstanding is that this line configuration is to be treated as if it were a concrete wall. No crossing it, period.

However, there are two exceptional cases that I'd like to know the LEO's attitude toward and legal reading of:

1: There is at least one road that merges onto the approach in the middle of this stretch, and HOV-eligible vehicles routinely cross the double-double to get into the HOV lane during carpool hours. Dangerous. Isn't this what the "carpool" button in the manned booths is for?

2: People who aren't watching the clock (or are just plain HUA) who get down to the end of the HOV lane and find that the gate is closed, and then they not only cross the double-double, but since the next two lanes are Fasttrack-only, cross two more lanes of fast-moving traffic to get to a manned booth. This is stupid *and* dangerous, but I don't know what to tell them.

[Razel]

Originally posted by DaveToo
1: There is at least one road that merges onto the approach in the middle of this stretch, and HOV-eligible vehicles routinely cross the double-double to get into the HOV lane during carpool hours. [/B] Paseo Padre Parkway/Thorton Ave. onramp. Used to be a sign (may still be there) that says the HOV lane is not accessible from that onramp. Used to use the HOV lane on my commute to Cupertino, and you're likely to see one a week make that dash across traffic. Wasn't so bad during school, as the traffic was too backed up for the pay lanes, but summer time they got to make up for it.

[motorman4life]

A double, double yellow and any painted section (partucularly crosshatched) that is over 2 feet wide is considered the same as a raised cement island or barrier and is not to be crossed except:
1) To save a life.
2) After being instructed by a police officer.

IMNSHO, people riding to the end of the HOV and bailing over the double-doubles should be shot... or at least stopped and cited. :teeth

[Junkie]

so if you don't notice that the HOV is closed and you get to the end of it, are you supposed to back up a LONG distance?

[DaveToo]

Well, at least the idiot who started to cross over them yesterday without looking got to hear my new car horn. Now my bike no longer sounds like a dying little lamb. :)

[motorman4life]

Originally posted by Junkie
so if you don't notice that the HOV is closed and you get to the end of it, are you supposed to back up a LONG distance?
I am not totally familiar with the Dumbarton set-up. I'm sure it has been redesigned since I was through there last. I believe the HOV lanes do not close. Either you are eligible to get in an HOV and/or FastPass lane or not. I know on the BBr and SMBr, people get in and cruise up to the plaza, then bail out into a toll lane, bypassing the toll backup. In most cases, they are stuck in both lanes for a while, waiting to merge. This causes the vehicles that are legitimately in the HOV or FastPass lanes to have to stop and wait for them to clear.

[DaveToo]

Originally posted by motorman4life
I am not totally familiar with the Dumbarton set-up. I'm sure it has been redesigned since I was through there last. I believe the HOV lanes do not close. Either you are eligible to get in an HOV and/or FastPass lane or not. I know on the BBr and SMBr, people get in and cruise up to the plaza, then bail out into a toll lane, bypassing the toll backup. In most cases, they are stuck in both lanes for a while, waiting to merge. This causes the vehicles that are legitimately in the HOV or FastPass lanes to have to stop and wait for them to clear.

The Dumbarton is different in this respect. Signage indicates that the HOV lane is closed during off-hours, and there's a closed gate at the toll booths.