Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) recently encountered a driver who had a furry companion riding shotgun, only to learn the hard lesson that pets don’t qualify as carpool companions.
The incident took place on Highway 417 near Terry Fox Drive, where officers spotted a vehicle cruising solo in the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane. When questioned, the driver explained that she believed her cat fulfilled the “two occupants” requirement for using the lane.
Despite the undeniable charm of having a whiskered co-pilot, pets are not considered valid occupants for HOV lanes. As a result, the driver was issued a $110 fine and three demerit points for the violation.
The OPP emphasized that HOV rules are in place for safety and efficiency purposes, reminding drivers that pets, however beloved, do not count as human occupants in the car.