My name is an Adam and I have an amazing canine. My dog is more than just a pet to me - he is family. When traveling on High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, my dog is not recognized as an occupant. This represents not only an inconvenience, but also a disregard for the significant role our pet family members play in our lives. 

Currently, most States' Department of Transportation defines an occupant as a human being (Source: Federal Highway Administration). This raises issues for many pet owners who regularly travel with their companions but cannot use HOV lanes, even during off-peak hours when those lanes are often underutilized.

Recognizing dogs as legitimate occupants for the purpose of using HOV lanes would not only improve the traveling experience for pet owners, but could also encourage more people to adopt pets, improving the lives of countless animals. In fact, according to a survey by the American Pet Products Association, over 67% of households in the U.S own a pet which equals to about 85 million families.

We believe this is an opportunity to evolve our transport systems seeking a more inclusive definition of family, respecting the bond between humans and their pets. Therefore, we ask the Department of Transportation to consider allowing dogs to count as occupants for the use of HOV lanes.

Please sign this petition in support of recognizing our furry family members as legitimate occupants.