--- title: "This Carpool Passenger Dummy Was Good Enough to Fool the Cops Until it Wasn’t" date: "2024-04-28" modified: "2024-04-28" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-carpool-passenger-dummy-was-good-enough-to-fool-the-cops-until-it-wasnt" categories: - "News" --- # This Carpool Passenger Dummy Was Good Enough to Fool the Cops Until it Wasn’t ![]() *California Highway Patrol* There's never a shortage of creativity when it comes to people trying to skirt carpool lane rules. Since you aren't allowed to drive in high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes by yourself, many drivers will create fake passengers to ride along with them. We've seen people use mannequins, dummies, and even an[ inflatable Grinch](). However, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), this driver's passenger dummy was "next-level." I'm not sure the dummy was next-level, as it seemed to just be a mannequin with a semi-realistic-looking mask over its face, a hoodie on with its hood up, and a pair of sunglasses. The mask had a goatee, though, so that seemed to have been enough to pass as human to police while driving by, as the driver was only pulled over for breaking another HOV rule. > [View this post on Instagram]() > [A post shared by CHP Santa Fe Springs (@chp\_santa\_fe\_springs)]() "Officer Kaplan made an enforcement stop on this vehicle for crossing solid double lines only to realize the driver was the only occupant in the vehicle with their plastic friend," said the [CHP Santa Fe on Instagram](). It's funny to me that the CHP is admitting that the dummy worked, as the driver wouldn't have been caught had it not been for a different violation. "We’ve gotta give it to them, the appearance is next level modeling but at the end of the day… plastic is plastic." While this dummy was obviously more realistic than an inflatable Grinch (but not nearly as funny), it isn't that much [different ]()or more [realistic-looking]() than other HOV dummies we've seen. Maybe it was the goatee that did the trick. It's hard to say how often these carpool dummies work, as we only ever hear about them when people are caught, but it seems like this one worked better than most of the others we've seen. Although, did the CHP just show other would-be carpool lane-crashers how to get away with it? *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()