Daily Talker: Are HOV Lane Fines High Enough?

A driver was cited and fined for trying to beat rush hour traffic with the help of a dummy.

State Trooper John Carnell was working a detail in Quincy when he saw the driver enter the HOV lane on the Southeast Expressway Monday morning. Instead of seeing a second person in the vehicle, Carnell noticed a dummy head propped up on a jacket.

"I was able to take a good look in every vehicle, and this was apparent. The position of the neck didn't seem right," Trooper Carnell said.

The HOV lane is designed for vehicles with two or more passengers. The driver, who was not identified, was cited for operating on an excluded way and fined $50.

Do you think that's a strong enough punishment to deter drivers from cheating their way into an HOV lane? What should the punishment be? Share your comments below and watch for them on WBZ News in the Morning from 4:30 to 7:00 a.m.