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If the main lanes are congested, the HOV lane(s) are basically a separate roadway. And since in LA most of them are single lane, there can be no LLB by definition. Now, if you weren't going at least the speed limit, (buttuming non-congested HOV lane) that would be kinda jerkish. But going 70 mph is fine.
If the main lanes are not congested, your speed doesn't really matter, since if you were impeding someone they could easily get into the main lanes to go faster.
I was able to drive the SB 405 HOV lanes from LAX to the 5 a couple times last summer when I was there. The main lanes were congested. I drove up to 80 mph when the lane was clear, and when I was behind someone I just left my normal cushion between us. It was sometimes a little frustrating when our platoon was only going 65 mph with clear sailing ahead, but I kept reminding myself that it was MUCH better than averaging 20 mph in the main lanes. So even that wasn't too bad.
HOV lane behavior... 4442Here is California Vehicle Code 21654: 21654. (a) Notwithstanding the prima facie speed limits, any vehicle proceeding upon a highway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction...
I would say for you to keep at your 65-70 mph. Don't switch into the main lanes, to let people by, as that could cause more trouble than it's worth.
-- Craig Holl Mechanical Engineer; New Berlin, WI www.midwestroads.com *remove all numbers and caps to reply*
