Governor Brown Vetoes Bill to Let Lone Drivers in 210, 134 Carpool Lanes

Gov. Jerry Brown has vetoed proposed legislation that would have allowed solo drivers to use the carpool lanes during off-peak hours for select sections of freeways, including the Ventura (134) Freeway between Studio City and Pasadena and the Foothill (210) Freeway between Pasadena and Glendora. 

Brown announced veto of the bill on Saturday. 

"Carpool lanes are especially important in Los Angeles County to reduce pollution and maximize use of freeways," Brown wrote in a veto message. "We should retain the 24/7 carpool lane control."

Assembly Bill 405 had been approved by both houses of the state Legislature earlier this month. The Assembly approved the bill 69-1 and the Senate passed it unanimously.

"There is no reason for drivers to be stuck in traffic when a midday or late-night accident or mysterious slowing clogs the rightmost freeway lanes, while the carpool lane sits empty," said the bill's author Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Los Angeles, during the legislative process.