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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Highway Patrol cracked down last month on motorists who drive alone in their vehicles in the HOV lanes.

During a three day enforcement effort from Aug. 14-16, 35 citations were issued in Salt Lake County for HOV violations along with 19 warnings, said Utah Highway Patrol Cpl. Todd Johnson.

A lone officer was dedicated to do nothing but catch motorists during the morning commutes on those days, from about 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., who drove by themselves in lanes in which at least two or more people were required in a vehicle, Johnson said.

One day campaigns were also conducted in Davis and Utah counties, but Johnson said citation statistics were not kept for those areas. The number of tickets handed out in Salt Lake County was small compared to the number of motorists who troopers believe are violating the law each day, he said.

An HOV violation is a class C misdemeanor that could result in a $100 fine for the driver if convicted.

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