[GeorgefromGeorgia]

I disagree with your theory that HOV lanes are a part of forcing people away from commuting. In fact, the HOV allowed me to live farther from work (where I could afford to buy a home), instead of living closer in where the houses were either smaller or schools were worse. HOV is about reducing the number of cars on the road. Because they are reversible (In N.VA.), they don't waste space where regular highway would be built wider.
More roads may be necessary, but I say build HOV as well.
It worked for me.

[rockrr]

You realize of course that HOV lanes will only work if no one (else) uses them.

Think about it.

Another poster wrote about zooming past all the poor schleps at 90mph. The only way he can do that is by utilizing a lane that almost no one else can use. Should any more access it, the lane rapidly slows to the same pace at the rest of the lanes.

lentulusgracchus also brought up the fact that with HOV you must alter your lifestyle to fit the roads instead of the roads being built to accommodate you. What if (when) they decide that HOV lanes are no longer working as they were (mis)designed and raise the passenger limit to 4? Or 6? Or 22? You don't mind though, a little conformity is OK as long as it's for the greater good, right?

Shakespeare said "First we kill all the lawyers" but I propose we follow that up with all the traffic engineers ;'}