CROSSING THE LINE

Getting caught driving illegally in freeway diamond lanes is expensive. The fine for a first offense is $236, a second conviction could cost up to $386 and a third as much as $636. Going to traffic school won’t help, because the violation is not considered a moving one. Los Angeles County has two diamond lanes. One runs along the San Bernardino Freeway between downtown (near Union Station) and Baldwin Avenue in El Monte. At least three people are required to be in a car. The other diamond lane runs along the Artesia Freeway, eastbound only, between I-605 and the city of Carson, but only two people are required to be in a car. The fine for crossing over the double yellow line is also $236. But this offense is considered a moving violation, and attendance at driving school can offset it. If both laws are broken, only one citation is issued.

DRIVING IN THE DIAMOND LANE ILLEGALLY

1989

Tickets issued: 23,710

Approximate annual revenue: $5.6 million

1990

Tickets issued: 20,820

Approximate annual revenue: $4.9 million

CROSSING OVER THE DOUBLE YELLOW LINE

1989

Tickets issued: 1,634

Approximate annual revenue: $400,000

1990

Tickets issued: 2,858

Approximate annual revenue: $700,000

SOURCE: California Highway Patrol