Person faces demerit points after being caught alone in HOV lane

Provincial police are asking people to comply with the rules of the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane after catching another driver.

“While we know not everyone agrees there should be HOV lanes, they do exist here in Ottawa,” the statement from officials reads.

Police say they receive “many complaints” from the public for vehicles not using the lanes properly. On Wednesday, around 11:30 a.m., an officer caught a single person in the lane. This driver crossed over the HOV barrier line, despite the posted signs above.

“There are clearly posted signs indicating not to enter and exit the HOV lane except through the dotted white line,” the release from officials notes.

As a result, the driver faces $220 in fines and five demerit points upon conviction.

It wasn’t the only fines police laid recently.

On Tuesday, an officer was flagged by his Automated Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) program on Highway 417 near Vanier. The notification was for an unregistered plate.

After being stopped, the G1 driver, who was also suspended, had no insurance on the vehicle.

This resulted in more than $7,000 in fines.

“If you can’t afford to insure your vehicle, don’t drive it,” officials said.