Santa Fe Springs, CA- A driver in California was caught off guard when pulled over by the California Highway Patrol for driving in the carpool lane with a mannequin posing as a passenger in the front seat. According to the Santa Fe Springs division of the CHP, the driver's attempt to bypass traffic by using a dummy resulted in the issuance of a ticket.
The story surfaced after CHP's Santa Fe Springs office shared the encounter on social media. The post showed a picture of the mannequin, sporting a black hoodie and sunglasses, seated in the front. Many are curious, 'Does having a mannequin in the passenger seat count as a second person in the car?' “Trying to use the carpool lane with no one else in the car!” the office wrote on Instagram.
The CHP clearly answered the question for those who might be wondering if this tactic works. “The answer is simple… NO,” the post stated. While the department gave credit for the realism of the dummy, they concluded, “At the end of the day… plastic is plastic.”
According to the post, Officer Kaplan made the initial stop for an entirely different reason. The officer observed the driver’s car crossing solid double lines, which led to the vehicle being pulled over. It was during this stop that Officer Kaplan noticed the oddity—the driver was alone except for the highly detailed mannequin.
“The goatee was sharp … just a little too sharp,” the department noted humorously in their post.
Some social media users were amused by the story, with many commenting that the mannequin resembled rapper Snoop Dogg. “🔥🔥That’s fantastic! Good catch CHP👏👏,” one commenter wrote, reflecting the general sentiment.
The real driver, who remains unidentified, faced consequences. He received a citation for multiple carpool violations.
The department also gave advice to drivers to avoid such situations. They suggested planning ahead, knowing the route, and understanding potential travel challenges to avoid being in a rush or tempted to bend the rules.
The CHP’s light-hearted yet clear message underlined the importance of obeying traffic laws while also encouraging people who appreciate their work to consider joining their ranks.