Seattle Drivers Use Dummies in HOV Scam — But Get Busted

Highways are full of strange sights, but what a Washington State Patrol trooper spotted recently on Interstate 5 stood out — mostly because she didn't move. That's because she wasn't alive. In two separate incidents just days apart, Seattle-area drivers tried to cheat their way into the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes using life-size dummies as passengers.

Both got caught.

'Passengers' With Plastic Smiles

The first case unfolded on the morning of April 29, near Shoreline, Washington. A trooper patrolling slow-moving traffic noticed something unusual about a vehicle in the HOV lane. Upon closer inspection, he discovered the front-seat "passenger" was, in fact, a mannequin wearing a brown wig, a plaid button-up shirt, and a scarf, according to PEOPLE.

According to Washington State Patrol spokesperson Trooper Rick Johnson, the driver admitted to using the dummy solely to qualify for the carpool lane. The mannequin had not been "named," Johnson joked in a post on X, according to UPI.

Just two days later, on May 1, a second driver was stopped in Federal Way, Washington. This one was clocked going 92 mph in a 60-mph zone — already a serious violation. But that wasn't all. In the backseat sat another "companion," this time a dummy wearing a bright yellow windbreaker and a baseball cap, seat-belted in place.

Why Risk It?

The temptation to cheat the HOV system is nothing new. These lanes, designed to reduce traffic congestion by encouraging carpooling, are restricted to vehicles with multiple human occupants during peak hours. But for solo commuters stuck in gridlock, the lure of an open lane can be hard to resist.

In Washington, the fine for misusing the HOV lane is $186. If you're caught using a prop or dummy to intentionally deceive law enforcement, that number can jump by another $200, totaling $386.

And it doesn't end there — thanks to a new law, carpool violations now may get reported to your auto insurance provider, which could mean higher premiums.

Not a Trend, but Still Notable

While it's not unheard of for troopers to spot fake passengers, Johnson told PEOPLE that two incidents so close together are "kind of unusual."

He added that Halloween tends to bring more creative attempts, including skeletons and other seasonal stand-ins.

Law enforcement uses a combination of training, visual cues, and traffic flow behavior to detect potential violations. In these cases, something simply looked off—likely the stiffness and uncanny lifelessness that mannequins can't shake, no matter how stylishly dressed.

As of now, there's no evidence that either driver faces criminal charges beyond the traffic citations. Both cases serve as reminders that while dummies may fool a casual glance, they rarely get past trained eyes on the road.

A Risky Shortcut With Real Consequences

It might seem like a harmless shortcut — just one person trying to outsmart the system to get home faster. But HOV lanes are meant to improve road efficiency and reduce emissions. When drivers misuse them, it undermines the system and can create safety hazards, especially when high speeds are involved.

So, if your carpool buddy can't blink, talk, or buckle their seatbelt on their own, it's probably best to stick to the regular lanes.

References: Drivers in Seattle Are Getting Caught Using Dummies in Failed Attempts to Use the Carpool Lane | Two Drivers Caught Using Dummies in Washington Carpool Lanes | Drivers Caught on I-5 With Dummy Dolls to Use HOV Lane