A driver recently was cited for violating the HOV lane when his only “passenger” was a Diego doll.

A Washington State Trooper pulled over a driver, whose passenger had huge unblinking eyes while on patrol to stop HOV violators on northbound State Route 167 ramp to northbound Interstate 405.

The trooper discovered the front seat passenger was a stuffed Diego doll from the “Go, Diego, Go” children’s show.

According to WSP, the driver said he was running late for work, so he put his daughter’s doll in the front passenger seat to hopefully avoid being stopped for driving in the HOV lane.

The driver was cited for the violation.

Diego was practicing good safety habits and was buckled up.

HOV enforcement is a priority for troopers in this area of King County during heavy morning and evening rush hour traffic. During the few hours of the Nov. 29 morning rush hour emphasis, 21 HOV violators were stopped.