See how one driver used the Pan Am HOV lanes and got caught

Thursday, July 9, 2015, 2:03 PM - With the 2015 Pan Am Games opening ceremony only one day away, gridlock is on the minds of many people living in the GTA. While traffic may be frustrating, Toronto Police are reminding commuters that they are on the lookout, especially if you're driving in the HOV lanes.

Police charged a man for driving in a HOV lane on the Gardiner Expressway with two mannequins on Wednesday. The lanes are designated for cars carrying at least three passengers during the Pan Am/Parapan Games.

The vehicle appeared to have multiple occupants, but as the man drove past the marked police car, the officers noticed the front-seat passenger did not seem to be life-like. Subsequently, the driver was pulled over and two dressed up mannequins were discovered. The driver was charged with the appropriate HOV violation.

"On a positive note, everyone in the vehicle was wearing a seatbelt," the Toronto Police press release reads. 

The Pan Am Games will draw more than 10,000 athletes and officials, 4,000 media and 250,000 visitors to the GTA and Greater Golden Horseshoe region over a one-month period.

Games and competitions will be held in more than 30 venues within a 5,300-square kilometer footprint.

The Pan Am Games kicked off on July 7 with limited events before the opening ceremony officially opens the event on July 10. The Pan Am will be followed by the Parapan Am Games on August 7.

The City of Toronto is encouraging people to use alternate modes of transportation to get around (public transit, walking, cycling) during this time, and we've got a few other ideas to make your summer commute a little bit easier.

Here are a few tips and tricks for navigating the Pan Am gridlock this summer.

Driving? Plan alternate routes with these helpful apps

The 2015 Games Trip Planner is an application that provides real-time traffic information for spectators and residents in southern Ontario during the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. 

Simply enter your starting location and destination and the app will give you the best route to get there with alternate route options.

The Weather Networks' Beat The Traffic app is also a helpful tool for navigating the roads on a daily basis. 

The app allows users to plot routes, access traffic cameras and save trips to favourite and most-visited destinations. 

Access the application online or download it to your mobile device.

It's also important to note that major routes are bound to be teeming with traffic. Service roads along major highways are often less crowded and therefore a faster way to get you to your destination.

Encourage co-workers, family or friends to tag along for the ride

As of June 29, cars driving in designated HOV lanes must carry three or more persons inside during the Pan Am Games. The Pan Am HOV lanes are also open to emergency vehicles, accredited Pan Am vehicles, buses and licensed taxis.

Violating these rules will cost you a fine of $110 and three demerit points.

There is no better time to round up colleagues for the drive in to work than during the height of Pan Am pandemonium, or travel in the same vehicle as family and friends on the weekends. 

Skip the drive in and take public transit

The Toronto Transit Commission is bringing in extra staff to increase service to Pan Am venues, as well as station guides to assist spectators. Service will also be increased to Toronto Pearson International Airport.

GO Transit will add extra train and bus trips to their daily itineraries throughout the GTA beginning July 11.

For those attending the Games, public transportation services are scheduled to coincide with game times. All Games event tickets offer same-day access to public transit.

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Give these guys a call

Kris Chaput and Michael Burton of Georgetown, Ont., are offering their services as HOV lane passengers for the duration of the Pan Am Games.

As of Monday, their online ad has been seen by nearly 6,000 visitors.

"My close friend and I are willing to sit in your car during rush hour traffic for you to utilize the HOV lanes that are currently in effect," reads their ad description. "You need two people, we are a package deal. We charge $55 per way, for a max of one hour. We also are great conversationalists, and are willing to discuss current events, politics, and the increasing income gap that will one day plague the world."

Load up your favourite playlist

Let's face it -- sometimes in life, we just have to wait.

If you find yourself swallowed by bumper-to-bumper traffic on a sunny afternoon, or uncomfortably sandwiched between dozens of other TTC riders in the downtown heat, nothing drowns the sorrows of a sweltering commute quite like a sweet, summer playlist.

So crank the tunes and relax. You'll get there eventually.

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