If you are visiting Florida, you may notice a sign with a diamond symbol on several highways. These symbols represent HOV lanes. Florida HOV lanes are reserved for vehicles with more than one passenger. The purpose of Florida HOV lanes is to minimize negative effects from traffic on the environment as well as reduce traffic on Florida highways.
In 2008, Miami-Dade replaced their Florida HOV lanes with 2 lanes restricted to registered car poolers driving in Florida or those driving in Florida that are willing to pay a toll. A Florida Sunpass (www.sunpass.com) is required by anyone who opts to take the toll.
The toll amount (less 25%) is automatically debited from your prepaid account every time you drive through the lane. Toll prices vary according to highway congestion. The more congested the highway, the higher the toll price. High Occupancy Tolls, also called HOT, are meant to ease traffic. The toll cost changes according to real time traffic conditions to keep traffic flowing and driving in Florida less stressful.
Sunpasses can be ordered online or can be purchased at Publix supermarkets or CVS pharmacies. It is a prepaid toll that you can get for $5. Violations of the HOT lanes will cost you a fine of $100.
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