Last November, I wrote about a woman who was stopped by state police because she was driving in the HOV lane (High Occupancy Vehicle Lane) — the "carpool" lane limited to automobiles carrying 3 or more people.

The woman said that she was not breaking the law, and that three people were in the car: herself, her son in the child safety seat in the back . . . . and her unborn child in her belly.

Today, a judge ruled on the case:

Fetuses do not count as passengers when it comes to determining who may drive in the carpool lane, a judge has ruled.

Candace Dickinson was fined $367 for improper use of a carpool lane, but contended her unborn child qualified to use the lane. Motorists who use the lanes normally must carry at least one passenger during weekday rush hours.

Municipal Judge Dennis Freeman rejected Dickinson’s argument Tuesday, applying a "common sense" definition in which an individual is someone who occupies a "separate and distinct" space in a vehicle.

Nice try though, Candy.

Mea culpa:  When I reported this in November, I stated (incorrectly) that his took place in Virginia.  It didn’t.  It took place in Arizona.