What a dummy! HOV cheater foiled by lowered sun visor

By David Menzies

You would think there are already enough dummies on the road without people going out of their way to give rides to the non-human kind.

But alas, yet another high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lane cheater was caught last week on New York’s Long Island Expressway pulling the ol’ mannequin-in-the-passenger-seat trick.

If anything, the dummy looked extremely convincing given her long mane of auburn hair along with matching polka dot blouse and scarf.

However, an eagle-eyed police officer, Deputy Sheriff Robert Howard, spotted the ruse. And it wasn’t because the dummy was wearing unspeakably unfashionable makeup (green eye shadow and coral lipstick – that’s just so 1983!)  Rather, Deputy Howard’s suspicions were aroused when he noticed that the passenger was wearing sunglasses and the sun visor was in the down position. All of which wouldn’t have been unusual were it a sunny day. But it happened to be overcast that morning.

In any event, the officer chased down and pulled over the green Chrysler convertible (perhaps that was the reason for the emerald-hued eye shadow – to match the paint job on the car?)

Upon being charged, the driver of the car, Kathleen A. Frascinella, 61, was unrepentant.
“She said, ‘Everybody’s doing this!’” Howard said.

(Note to Ms. Frascinella: While it may or may not be true that “everyone’s doing this,” the salient point here would be that you were the one caught “doing” it.)

While the HOV cheater surely didn’t appreciate the US$135 fine plus two demerit points, other motorists were elated with Howard’s fine detective skills.

“Everybody was stopping and looking over,” Howard told New York’s CBS affiliate. “People [were] hitting the horns, basically very happy that we took one of these HOV violators using a mannequin off the road.”

The dummy (the mannequin, that is, not Ms. Frascinella) declined to comment

Comments

So rather than being focused on poor / terrible driving habits that actually kill and injure, such as running red lights, failing to signal turns and lane changes etc, this officer is wasting time and effort to catch a 'serious' offender???
Seriously, how many people have been killed or injured by someone driving by themselves in an HOV lane?? Get real LEO's!!! Put your attention where it will save lives, not where it will just generate some income for your department!
And how about all the slowdown and traffic jams you cause every time you sit there watching all the cars for that one poor person who was forced to jump into the HOV lane to avoid being late for work - even though YOU caused the slowdown???
Place the effort where it will do some real good. Educate the masses on driving skills.
How to use that signal!
How to stop!

Dear Robert G.

Everybody is given a job to do, even the police. That day it may have been that officers turn to enforce the HOV lanes. He/she might 'hate it' or the officer may volunteer for the duty. But the fact remains that the person broke the law and they got caught.

How about this scenario:

Same woman, same dummy, same poilce officer.
She didnt strap it in properly and it falls over in the car.
Woman is trying to fix it while driving and has an accident while doing so.
Maybe the accident involves a van with a mother and 5 children going to the park.
ALL DEAD!

Thats a different tune to sing. Try it on for size.

She broke the law and got caught. Live with it.

And if there were fewer people pulling pranks and misdemenors, it would free up those police to concentrate on the 'more, evil doers. If the rules are broken then someone must police them, otherwise no point in rules, hence anarchy. So then all your serious offenders can go free as well.

I 100% agree with you Robert. This is the perfect description of the modern police officer. They are there solely to tax the everyday working stiff. They are no ware to be found when peoples lives are in danger, but if you drive 7 over the speed limit on the way to work, they are all over you. Or the odd occasion where you fail to stop for a full 3 seconds at a light or stop sign. HOV lanes are a joke, if they would open up these lanes for regular traffic, it would benefit everyone, not just the people that carpool. The only way there would ever be an incentive to carpool is if they were all HOV lanes on the freeways. Otherwise, people are going to drive the car that they pay their hard earned money for. Examples like these are the main reason that Police officers have the least respected occupation. Modern day police are nothing more then over glorified tax collectors. Notice how they only hassle the middle class. If you go to any big city, check out the lower class neibourhoods. Those areas are where the real crime is, and where peoples lives could be saved, but you almost never see a cop in those neiborhoods. That's because there is no money to be made.

I 100% agree with you Robert. This is the perfect description of the modern police officer. They are there solely to tax the everyday working stiff. They are no ware to be found when peoples lives are in danger, but if you drive 7 over the speed limit on the way to work, they are all over you. Or the odd occasion where you fail to stop for a full 3 seconds at a light or stop sign. HOV lanes are a joke, if they would open up these lanes for regular traffic, it would benefit everyone, not just the people that carpool. The only way there would ever be an incentive to carpool is if they were all HOV lanes on the freeways. Otherwise, people are going to drive the car that they pay their hard earned money for. Examples like these are the main reason that Police officers have the least respected occupation. Modern day police are nothing more then over glorified tax collectors. Notice how they only hassle the middle class. If you go to any big city, check out the lower class neibourhoods. Those areas are where the real crime is, and where peoples lives could be saved, but you almost never see a cop in those neiborhoods. That's because there is no money to be made.

robert, you're missing the point. just because there are other "serious offenders" doing other stupid things, doesn't mean we should ignore the less stupid people trying to cheat the system.

"avoid being late for work"?? that's not the deputy sheriff's problem or anyone else's but HERS.

get rid of your chip on your shoulder and just follow the rules

HOV lane cheater?People had better wake up and smell...something! To the people who gave their "thumbs up" to the officer are nothing more than a bunch of brainless "sheep," the ones the government just loves as they make government corruption coverup that much easier! Have ANY OF YOU ever stopped to consider that the HOV lane is nothing more than a money grab and scam?! The various cities in north america adopted the HOV to "deal" with the "trffic problem" created by the government and,as usual,stick it to the citizens as another money drain! We are all being played as fools by the government who has managed to "steal" more power from the people which is giving them more and more power that they were NOT suppost to have!
People had better wakeup as Natzi Germany will happen again sooner or later!

I agree that there are too many people dying on the roads!

That being said, how often since you first got your license have you had to go get re-educated? The only way to stop bad drivers is to catch them in the act. The police are always getting blamed for generating revenue, however if drivers were obeying the laws then there would be no revenue to generate. I agree, no one signals, drivers run stop signs and lights, tailgate, cut other drivers off and naturally it is ALWAYS the person that got cut off who inevitably gets the finger because they had the audacity to honk their horn at the person who cut them off.

So the police should just let all these people who think that they are more important or that their time is more valuable do what they want because they are late for work? I cannot count how many times I have witnessed people flying down the shoulder of the highway, as if the rest of us are enjoying sitting in traffic. We all have families, jobs and lives to get to.

However Robert, this "poor person" IS the serious offender. She purposely placed a mannequin in her car knowing she was going to use the HOV lane. She wasn't FORCED to jump on it because she was running late for work and got caught driving alone...it was premeditated...and if she will go to those lengths to save a few minutes, then SHE is the one that will run the red lights, speed, cut people off, not use signals and so on as you speak of.

I agree with the person above and I use that lane all the time. 1 its safer, 2 faster, 3 Illegal but I try not to get caught. Although I have to be looking over my shoulders a lot and scanning traffic ahead looking for LAW, I still feel that at the end of the day its worth the ticket. Everything happens for a reason and whether Im late for work, a meeting, for family or me just saying what the heck and I decide to hop in the forbidden individual lane, It may or my not have already saved my life and for me being able to comment Im Thankful. I dread the day I get scoped out like a hawk or randomly attacked but I will be ready!

Robert Gillcash wrote:
"Seriously, how many people have been killed or injured by someone driving by themselves in an HOV lane?? "

Uhh, pa-lenty of people have been killed. The purpose of the HOV lane is to REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CARS ON THE ROAD. The fewer the number cars, the fewer the number of accidents. Get it?

The losers who think the rules don't apply to them just make life harder for everyone. Punish them.

Um, I'm pretty sure that the officers stated above are just as concerned about poor driving skills as they are about acts of stupidity. Clearly, common sense isn't so common after all. They make these laws and regulations for a reason and although they might not make sense to the average person we have no choice but to obey them......period. If you feel that you need to jump into the HOV lane to avoid being late for work then maybe you should excersise your time management a little better and leave for work earlier. As for this woman, this is something I would expect from a 17 year old not someone who's 60 and should have some grasp on reality by now! So quit whinning about how the officers are wasting their time issuing tickets to people who clearly deserve it, it's their job!!

Hahahahahahahaahahahaha !! Way to go Mr. Sheriff !!! Hahahahahahahaaaha

Posted by: Robert Gillcash | 2010-02-09 2:02:15 AM

"And how about all the slowdown and traffic jams you cause every time you sit there watching all the cars for that one poor person who was forced to jump into the HOV lane to avoid being late for work - even though YOU caused the slowdown???"

Well, gee, maybe that "one poor person forced to jump into the HOV lane" should have spent a bit less time putting makeup on her faudulent mannequin and left for work a bit earlier...

Thanks for that, Robert...and I am sure those fine LEOs have many instances of drivers running red lights on a limited-access highway like the LI Expressway...
Look, I am sure that officer is well aware and observant enough to also be watching for those signal-less lane changers and the like, and pursuing them when necessary. As well, if the mere presence of the officer's vehicle is enough to get drivers to pay more attention and to travel closer to the speed limit, then maybe there are fewer instances of the other violations, and all he's got are the HOV lane infractions!

So rather than being focused on poor / terrible driving habits that actually kill and injure, such as running red lights, failing to signal turns and lane changes etc, this officer is wasting time and effort to catch a 'serious' offender???
Seriously, how many people have been killed or injured by someone driving by themselves in an HOV lane?? Get real LEO's!!! Put your attention where it will save lives, not where it will just generate some income for your department!
And how about all the slowdown and traffic jams you cause every time you sit there watching all the cars for that one poor person who was forced to jump into the HOV lane to avoid being late for work - even though YOU caused the slowdown???
Place the effort where it will do some real good. Educate the masses on driving skills.
How to use that signal!
How to stop!

Posted by: Robert Gillcash | 2010-02-09 2:02:15 AM

SHUT UP

well actually robert gillcash i just thought id say, there was an accident here in vancouver awhile back that involved a small van full of children pulled over in the hov lane, they had a flat tire... unfortunately they were hit from behind this person was not to be in the high occupancy lane, but... another individual struck the both of them, unfortunately that individual was alone and not to be in the HOV lane as well, i agree with you but just thought id say

To Robert Gillcash,

Cops need to enforce ALL laws, otherwise what is the point of following the laws at all? If no one was getting pulled over for driving in the HOV lane, others would start to notice and do it themselves. Soon enough, no one is respecting the law of the HOV lane and it becomes useless for what is was designed for. Laws have to be enforced or they are useless, they are there for a reason. Smarten up and think before you comment.

Today's traffic cop is nothing more than a tax collector and anyone who disagrees has their head in the sand or someplace darker! It's a joke on the motoring public and is fueled by big insurance dollars, they hound you, issue you a ticket, for something dangerous like 6 mph. over limit etc. get the revenue for the state and to add insult, the insurance co. raises your rates even though you have no accidents. Just a big money grab all around on the little guy, dumb enough to go to work everyday to support his family and they call it a free country!!

Do we have any evidence that HOV lane actually reduce the amount of cars on the road or reduce traffic jam or commute time for all drivers? We might be surprise to find that HOV lanes increase traffic jam or do not improve anything at all. Then it would be purely a money grabbing scam.

I agree that the HOV lane is a good thing as whoever is driving with a friend means one more vehicle is off the road & helps to stop pollutioning our wonderful world.Im 73 years old & I am trying to leave it for my grandkids in a reasonabley good state.People who think they can do what they want & blame our (POLICE DEPT) for enforceing the law which when ever they need one are thankful they are there.

An amaazingly funny story i must say but up here in Canada our boys have a much better imagination i know of 2 chaps that where caought on our HOV lane . The first guy with a blow-up doll and the second dressed up his dog. Some people will do anything to hurry up and wait.

I think that the HOV lanes should only run at peak times nobody uses them much after that anyway.....

ok, sheep.
Lemme get this straight...the individuals that hit other vehicles in the HOV lane were totally in the wrong right... I mean the van with the flat tire... it couldn't have easily been a HOV vehicle that hit em...nope not likely totally right, I mean an individual driver without people yapping in his ear all the time talking and making noise and distractions could never have caused that accident....
How many individuals on the HOV have caused accidents palenty the one sheep said. Its to reduce cars on the road eh.... Do you listen and think about what you say or just type that stuff out and hope for the best?. You totally contradict yourself, how are HOV's keeping less cars on road if more cars are sitting waiting in traffic while a seldomly used lane is wide open?. And you mean to tell me Car Poolers should have very own lanes because they are people haulers?. What a load of garble.
The cop with nothing better to do then pull over people with sunvisors down on a shady day?, totally legit... I mean he just saved someone's life... Totally right! because I quote "“Everybody was stopping and looking over,” Howard told New York’s CBS affiliate. “People [were] hitting the horns, basically very happy that we took one of these HOV violators using a mannequin off the road." and people that slow down and gawk at accidents and people being pulled over never ever ever cause accidents...nope never.... So it was a premeditated act...SO WHAT!. How bout you take that 5 lane highway... give 1 to the HOV's, 1 to the Semi Trucks, 1 to taxi/bus, 1 to emergency vehicles and the other 99.8% can squeeze into the 1 single lane left... That sounds brilliant! Because that totally solves the pollution problem just like the cop that probably sat for 5 hours idleing in his car waiting to pull over this dasterdly old woman for driving to fool public and drive in the HOV lane... Not on this cops watch!. Drugs, prostitution, illegal gambling, Guns/weapons.... none of these compare to this evil old lady in the HOV lane... just remember! YOU CANT USE THE HOV LANE, EVEN WHEN YOUR TAX DOLLARS PAID TO MAKE IT! Keep those diesel trucks and single occupant vehicles sitting in traffic because this is totally solving problems... HOV lane problem SOLVED! next....World Hunger.....

I've been at this for longer than many of the bloggers have been alive, and one thing has never changed; the sincere belief of the criminal that their particular circumstances entitle them to break whichever law they are breaking. Laws are not a "scheme" to generate tax revenue or break the middle class; they are a contract to which all members of a society are party to, for the safety of all. When the "contract" is no longer valid or representative of what Society wants for its own safety, then the law is changed or repealed, as in the case of alcohol or same-sex relationships. If "everyone is doing it", as Ms Frascinella claimed, then why is the law still on the books?