PORTLAND, Ore. — The HOV lane on Interstate 5 northbound between Going Street and Marine Drive turned 20 last month.
Oregon Department of Transportation officials say about 75,000 drivers per day drive northbound on I-5 by Going Street near the start of the HOV lane.
ODOT's Dave Thompson said they keep track of how many people -- not cars -- are getting through the HOV lane each day, so in their eyes, it's a success.
"More people get through that one lane than the other two lanes combined... that's a success," Thompson said.
Compliance has plummeted from 92 percent when the HOV lane first opened in 1998, to 75 percent or less today. That means at least one in four drivers don't belong in that lane between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.