Effective by what means? Effective, as in actually deterring the behavior? I think there is ample evidence to show that when the probability of something occurring is sufficiently small (as I imagine it is in HOV lanes), humans discount the probability of its occurrence entirely. I have not looked specifically at San Jose's HOV program. I have, however, seen that students will plagiarize and cheat academically, even when facing extremely harsh penalties, because the probabilities of being caught are almost non-existent. Of course, the real solution to HOV lane cheating isn't trying to change social norms or instituting Draconian punishments. The solution is to install cameras to watch the HOV lane. I realize the essay deals with this idea, however, I think it vastly underestimates the extremely potent deterrent effect of cameras. If you are from the same part of Maryland that I am, you will know first hand what cameras will do to people when they come near (when the probability of something occurring is sufficiently small, we often discount the probability of its occurrence entirely). Stopping HOV lane cheating is simple--just park an empty cop car in a shoulder near the HOV lane and create the illusion of enforcement. -mz - 01 Mar 2010