Vehicles with two or more occupants
reserved lanes
In driving, a diamond symbol indicates special lanes or areas designated for specific types of vehicles or uses, such as high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes or bus lanes. These lanes are typically reserved for vehicles with a certain number of occupants or for public transportation. The diamond symbol helps drivers quickly identify these lanes and understand their intended use, ensuring smoother traffic flow and promoting carpooling or efficient public transit.
Text can be used with a diamond symbol to delineate
High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV), meaning in the US, vehicles that have a driver plus one or more passengers.
High occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes are reserved for vehicles with multiple passengers, typically two or more, to encourage carpooling and reduce traffic congestion. These lanes aim to promote more efficient use of road space and decrease travel times for those carpooling. In some areas, HOV lanes may also allow certain other vehicles, such as buses and motorcycles, to use them regardless of passenger count.
In Washington State, towing a trailer typically prohibits you from using the carpool lanes. The carpool lanes are generally reserved for vehicles with multiple passengers, and standard regulations do not allow vehicles towing trailers to use these lanes. Always check for specific signage that may indicate any exceptions or additional rules in certain areas.
A HOV sign stands for High Occupancy Vehicle and designates lanes reserved for vehicles with a certain number of occupants, usually two or more. These lanes are intended to promote carpooling and reduce traffic congestion.
A carpool lane is typically marked with a diamond symbol, which indicates that the lane is reserved for vehicles with multiple occupants, such as carpools or buses. This diamond symbol is often accompanied by signage that specifies the minimum number of passengers required to use the lane. The purpose of these lanes is to promote carpooling and reduce traffic congestion.
dimond sign
Signs which state Left lane HOV onlyAdded: In addition - to differentiate them from normal traffic lanes - many states paint the road surface of the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane with large elongated diamond shaped symbols every 1,000 yards or so.
Roads
They are called diamond lanes because they are marked with big white diamond shapes on the pavement. These lanes are for a special kind of traffic, typically cyclists.