Q: Today while driving on the 405 Freeway, I noticed a city fire truck in Los Angeles County. It was not an emergency fire truck, but an equipment truck with boxes, tanks, and miscellaneous stuff. What caught my eye is that there was only one person in it. I happened to get off at the same exit and saw it turn into a gated neighborhood. I’m guessing he was driving it home. It was 4 p.m. Do fire departments get special treatment in carpool lanes?
– Mario Luna, Anaheim
A: Not any more than makes sense, Mario.
Qualifying fire department vehicles, and police ones as well, can drive solo under state law in the carpool lanes if responding to an emergency, explained Fernando Perez, a California Highway Patrol officer and spokesman out of the Santa Ana outpost.
That might include a fire truck heading out to check on a potentially dangerous gas line at a home. Or fire trucks or engines back-filling another station’s vehicles called out on assignment.
“It exempts us in certain situations,” Perez said about the CHP. “It can be pretty much for any of our calls. … We don’t need the (emergency) lights.”
The CHP would also be exempt if pursuing a motorist who broke a traffic law.
So Mario, it is unclear if that fire official just wanted to get home for a ball game and cheated — or was legitimately responding to a call.
HONKIN’ FACT NO. 1: Last year in California, 176,230 vehicles were stolen, according to the CHP. Of those, 43% were personal trucks or sport-utility vehicles; 39%, cars; 6% were commercial trucks or trailers; and 5% percent motorcycles. The rest included recreational vehicles, farm equipment and construction vehicles.
The cars most often taken: 2015 Kia Optima, 2013 Hyundai Elantra, and 2013 Hyundai Sonata. Trucks or sports-utility vehicles most often stolen: 2001 Chevrolet Silverado (a pickup), 2002 Chevrolet Silverado, and 2006 Chevrolet Silverado.
HONKIN’ FACT NO. 2: Drivers who qualify for a disabled veteran’s license plate, but prefer to not have one, will soon be able to travel toll free on the 241, 73, 133 and 261 toll roads in Orange County. They can start taking advantage of the perk beginning Oct. 1.
“The change is to allow for exemptions regardless if the DV displays a plate,” said Michelle Kennedy, a spokesperson for agencies that run those toll roads. “We made the change to better meet the spirit of why the program was created, to support our veteran community by offering toll benefits in a way that respects their preferences.”
To qualify takes approval by the Department of Motor Vehicles for a DV registration-fee exemption, a California license plate, and a FasTrak account with these particular toll roads that has the special designation attached to it. To get the free tolls, the driver must renew the privilege each year. Information: 949-727-4800.