Inflatable doll behind the wheel: scandal on the A3!

Inflatable doll behind the wheel: scandal on the A3!

In Luxembourg, a strange incident on the A3 shared lane is causing a stir. On July 13, 2025, a female driver was observed wearing a seatbelt to an inflatable doll in the passenger seat. This was confirmed by a reporter who observed the scene on Thursday evening. The unusual method was apparently intended to use the carpool lane, which has been in operation since March 23, 2025. According to Lessentiel, carpooling is only permitted if there are at least two people in the vehicle. The regulations also include that babies and small children count as passengers, but pets do not.

Using the shared lane was difficult in the first few days after it opened. Uncertainty about the number of occupants required led to confusion among drivers. This situation was exacerbated by risky overtaking maneuvers. During peak periods, which last from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., the maximum speed on the A3 will be reduced from 90 km/h to 70 km/h to increase safety.

The challenges of the carpool lane

The traffic information team of the Automobile Club of Luxembourg (ACL) has observed that although the use of the third lane has increased over the weeks, initially few drivers observed the new rules. An ACL member reported that using the carpool lane saved her 20 minutes of time every morning. This time saving could help more drivers understand the functionality and benefits of the carpool lane.

Avoiding traffic jams is a central argument for introducing this lane. Today, drivers continue to try to use the carpool lane illegally to escape the often long traffic jams. An automatic speed camera to monitor the lane could probably be tested in late 2025 or early 2026 to enforce the regulations. A police spokesman reiterated that although there is no official report on the use of inflatable dolls as passengers, the creative use of traffic rules remains a cause for concern.

It therefore remains to be seen how the situation on the A3 will develop and what measures will be taken to improve traffic safety. The ACL regularly provides information on the updated regulations on the radio to raise awareness among drivers. The experiences of the first few weeks show that acceptance of the new lane is slowly growing, which could lead to better traffic conditions.