I commute on the Los Angeles freeways M-F during the beginning of rush hour. (more like rush-4-hour.)
I have one of the coveted carpool stickers that allows me to drive in the carpool lane with no passengers.
Traffic congestion and speeds vary from day to day.
I wake up early so I can get on the road by 5:30 to 6:00 AM.
If I leave by 5:30 I can crawl along near 50
MPH in the rightmost of 4 to 6 lanes all the way most days.
If I leave much later or there is an accident or the stars line up a certain way traffic gets slow enough to consider hopping over to the carpool lane.
When I decide to use the carpool lane, about 15% of the time, I don't just slip in regardless of its speed.
If it is flying by at over 55 I don't get in because I don't want to go that fast.
I try to be considerate.
I wait till there is a large opening where SOMEONE ELSE is holding up traffic and I'll slip in front of that guy.
About half the time I can get all the way to work without anyone on my tail and without exceeding 55
MPH, usually my carpool maximum.
This is the most wonderful experience, flying by all those pissed off Lexus, Mercedes and BMW SUVs stopped in the "fast" lane 5 feet away.
It is up there with scuba diving, playing a fine piano and orgasms.
I laugh out loud in glee.
Sorry, I can't help it; we in Los Angeles are at the mercy of traffic regardless of race, age, gender, income, or IQ.
If that saint behind me exits the carpool lane and I get tailgaters I have to make a quick and unpleasant decision.
I'll usually exit the carpool lane and creep back into the right lane to save my MPG.
I don't like to hold up traffic, and MPG rules.
How do you guys use the carpool/HOV lane?