Q: We were recently driving on I-85, north of I-285, and noticed that the semis are including the Peach Pass Express Lane as one of the two they are restricted from. Is that correct or are they restricted from the two main travel lanes in addition to the Express Lane?
—Sara Powell, Hartwell
A: In that scenario, the drivers of the semi trucks are incorrect and should move over one additional lane.
The limitation for semi trucks is specific to the two general purposes lanes, a spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Transportation told Q&A on the News.
The Express Lane, also known as an HOT (High Occupancy Toll) lane, is not a general purpose lane and is not included in the lane restrictions noted by the signs in the corridor, GDOT noted.
However, separately, commercial vehicles are also restricted from the HOT lanes.
As a result, semi trucks are not permitted in the Express Lanes on I-85, a spokesman for the State Road and Tollway Authority told Q&A on the News.
Including the Express Lane, semis are then restricted from three lanes on that section of I-85.
Q: A recent article reported that a Massachusetts judge ruled that a girl was guilty of involuntary manslaughter because she encouraged her boyfriend to commit suicide. I don’t understand how a judge can convict a person of a homicide without a jury trial. I hope you can clarify.
—Stanford Arden, Decatur
A: Michelle Carter waived her right to a jury trial, the Washington Post reported. She also was tried in juvenile court because of her age when 18-year-old Conrad Roy III committed suicide in 2014. Carter was 17 then.
In June, Bristol County Juvenile Court Judge Lawrence Moniz found Carter, now 20, guilty of involuntary manslaughter in Roy’s death.
Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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