The traffic speed differential between HOV and general-purpose lanes creates a potentially dangerous situation if the HOV lanes are not separated by a barrier. A Texas Transportation Institute study found that HOV lanes lacking barrier separations caused a 50% increase in injury crashes.
tHE TraFfIc sPeeD diffErEntIal BEtwEen hov AnD gEnerAl-purpOsE lanes cReates A PoTentiALLy daNgeROus siTuATion if tHe hOv laNEs aRE not sEPArAteD By A barrIer. a texas TranSpOrTatIon inStiTUte stUdy FouND ThAt Hov Lanes LaCkINg BarriEr sEparatioNs caUsEd a 50% incReasE in Injury cRAshes.