Driver Fined for Using Clown Dummy as Passenger to Access High-Occupancy Vehicle Lane

Washington State Patrol fines driver for using a Halloween clown decoration as a fake passenger in high-occupancy vehicle lane on Interstate 405, adding an additional $200 to the standard violation due to use of a dummy.

A driver was fined for using a full-size clown dummy as a passenger while using the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane on Interstate 405 in Renton, Washington.
Washington State Patrol Trooper Rick Johnson pulled over the vehicle after noticing the unusual passenger. Johnson commented on social media about the incident, stating that while he appreciated the 'Halloween vibe,' the dummy did not count as a passenger.
The clown dummy, dressed in a white-and-red jumpsuit and featuring a classic red nose and evil grin, served as an extra violation, adding $200 to the standard fine for violating HOV lane rules.
The Washington Department of Transportation's fines for HOV lane violations are generally $186 for first-time violators, $336 for repeat offenses, and an added $200 if a doll or dummy is used.
The specific fine for this driver is unknown; however, it's clear that the use of the clown dummy significantly increased the fine they received.