I am just glad that I do not have to worry about the carpool rule! I like the smaller town atmosphere!
PHOENIX, Arizona (AP) -- Fetuses do not count as passengers when it comes to determining who may drive in the carpool lane, a judge has ruled.
Candace Dickinson was fined $367 for improper use of a carpool lane, but contended her unborn child qualified to use the lane. Motorists who use the lanes normally must carry at least one passenger during weekday rush hours.
Municipal Judge Dennis Freeman rejected Dickinson's argument Tuesday, applying a "common sense" definition in which an individual is someone who occupies a "separate and distinct" space in a vehicle.
"The law is meant to fill empty space in a vehicle," the judge said.
Sgt. Dave Norton stopped Dickinson's car November 8. When asked how many people were in the car, Dickinson said two, pointing to "her obvious pregnancy," the officer said.
Norton said Dickinson's theory "would require officers to carry guns, radios and pregnancy testers, and I don't think we want to go there
YEah, I see your point D, but that is really two different applications of the law. The carpool rule is to lighten up traffic and force people to not ride alone to work- one less car. If she was pregnant, obviously there is no need for a second car- a fetus can't drive.
The murder aspect is more meant to strengthen the sentencing guidelines for murder. If the mother survives the shooting, but not the baby, she should have some recourse.
Most cities are beginning to realize the carpool lane was a total waste of space and time for the onramps.
It's such a dumb system, and really doesn't help with the congestion at all. It's also a major pain for the cops to try and monitor.
I find it VERY frustrating when I'm sitting at a metered ramp and I see car after car with only one person in it "cheat" and go through the carpool lane.
Nice try on her part, but I'd have to say she really was reaching on that one. KC does not have carpool lanes. We seem to have enough problem with the kids who drive those little cars with the glass packed mufflers who all secretly believe they are Mario Andretti.
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That which does not kill me postpones the inevitable.
