Former Toronto mayor Rob Ford admits he has broken the law by driving in special high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes set up for the Pan American Games while he is driving alone.

The Ward 2 city councillor told reporters Wednesday at city hall he watches out for the police as he moves in and out of the lanes that are reserved for vehicles with at least three people inside.

"Go in and out, obviously," Ford said. "You gotta watch the cops over your shoulder... I have to get to where I have to go."

Ford calls the HOV lanes "a pain in the rear end," adding he sees a lot of other people doing the same thing.

The temporary lanes will be in operation from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the Games, which run in Toronto and surrounding areas from July 10 to 26. The lanes will be restricted to at least two people per vehicle during the Parapan Am Games from Aug. 7 to 15.

Under the Highway Traffic Act, if the government has designated a lane for high-occupancy vehicles only, it's an offence for motorists to break those rules.