Me, my Baby… And the Carpool Lane
by Éric Plamondon - FPAA, National Bank Insurance paid contributor
What parent hasn’t asked themselves if they’re allowed to use the carpool lane when they’re driving with a baby in a car seat? As a father of two, I’ve asked the question many a time, but never actually gone ahead and done it… Until today.
What is carpooling, exactly?
First of all, we have to understand the definition of carpooling: it’s when more than one person uses a single vehicle. And we have to understand what it’s for. Hint: “using the carpool lane” is not the correct answer.
High occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV), that’s what they’re actually called, also referred to as carpool lanes, are a measure designed to reduce traffic in the regular lanes. This may not be their only benefit, but this was their initial purpose. Of course, when two drivers (or more) share a single car, it also equates to fewer cars on the road, and consequently to lower fuel consumption.
Who can use the carpool lane?
To use the carpool lane, you need a minimum of two to three occupants in the vehicle, depending on what the signage says. Note that I used the term “occupants” not “passengers.” What constitutes an occupant? It’s a human being, regardless of age or position in the car. Driver, passenger… Or baby in the back. But watch out – a pregnant woman doesn’t count for two occupants. Fido either, however obedient he may be. And if you happen to have a chimpanzee in the car, even with DNA nearly identical to ours it still wouldn’t count as an occupant! And I particularly don’t recommend that you try driving with that giant stuffed animal you won at the fair last year…
What if I’m on a motorcycle?
Whether you’re in a car, on a motorcycle, in a minivan, a taxi or even a limo… If there are two occupants, you can use the carpool lane. Two other types of vehicle can also use the carpool lane… What are they? Buses and emergency vehicles – even if they only contain one occupant!
The question of insurance
Using the carpool lane can impact your insurance in two ways:
- If you’ve used the carpool lane when you shouldn’t have, you could incur a driving infraction, one that you’d have to declare. This could have an impact on your premiums.
- When you are part of a carpool, your own car spends less time on the road. Your car insurance premiums are based in part on your annual mileage, on the usage of your vehicle. Logically, the less you drive, the more you can save.
Attention drivers!
If you’re part of a carpool, think about who will be driving, which cars will be used, and how the driving will be divvied up. Why? Because you may need to provide this information to your insurance company. For example, Jules and Jim drive downtown together every morning. Although they only ever use Jules’ car, Jim is always the one behind the wheel. Although Jim is insured on his own car (that he wisely keeps at home), Jules might need to declare him as a driver on his car, given how often he uses it. Does the insurer need to take this into account? Better not to take the chance.
When in doubt, a professional is always here to answer your questions. A damage insurance professional.