What are HOV lanes designed for?

HOV lanes, or High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, are specifically designed to encourage carpooling and reduce traffic congestion by allowing vehicles with multiple passengers to use these dedicated lanes. The intent of HOV lanes is to promote efficiency on roadways by providing a faster travel option for vehicles that carry more than one person, which can help alleviate the number of cars on the road.

These lanes often allow emergency vehicles and buses to use them as well, ensuring that public transportation options and emergency services can move quickly through traffic. This is key to supporting both safety and efficiency on major roadways.

In contrast, single-occupancy vehicles are typically not permitted to use HOV lanes unless under specific circumstances, such as during off-peak hours or with special permits. Motorcycles and bicycles might have certain lanes to themselves, but they do not generally qualify as HOV vehicles in the context of lane designations. General traffic lanes are available for all vehicles, which helps distinguish the purpose of HOV lanes as a solution for high-occupancy travel.