Driver fined for using carpool lane with creepy clown dummy as passenger

25 October 2023 , 22:06

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Trooper Rick Johnson issued a fine for misusing the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane, as well as using a dummy to deceive the authorities (Image: Jam Press)

A driver was caught driving on a highway with a Halloween dummy in the passenger seat.

In a bizarre incident, a motorist was slapped with a fine for creatively attempting to bypass the rules of the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane. State Trooper Rick Johnson of the Washington State Patrol issued the penalty for misuse of the lane and for employing a dummy to deceive authorities.

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The unusual occurrence took place on Interstate 405 in Renton City, where Trooper Johnson spotted a peculiar passenger in the form of a Halloween-themed dummy. Despite the eerie clown's flaming red hair, red foam nose, and devilish grin, it failed to fool the vigilant trooper.

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A driver has been punished for using a carpool lane with a creepy clown character in the passenger seat (Jam Press)

The clown had flaming red hair, a red foam nose, and a devilish grin (Jam Press)

Trooper Johnson, while appreciating the Halloween spirit, remained firm in upholding the law. "Love the Halloween vibe but still doesn't count!" he remarked, emphasizing that the holiday spirit didn't exempt drivers from traffic regulations.

The driver, whose identity remains undisclosed, now faces fines typically issued to first-time HOV offenders, amounting to $186 (£154) according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. For subsequent HOV violations within two years, the penalty escalates to $336 (£277). An additional $200 (£165) was added to the ticket due to the use of the dummy.

Local reactions to the incident were varied. Some residents found humour in the situation, questioning, "Who says the driver doesn't identify as two people?" Others criticized law enforcement practices, echoing sentiments to stop pulling people over solely for profit. Someone said, "Stop pulling people over for profit," and another just said, "This made my day."

Vassia Barba