When the goverment setup regulations for carpooling, what is the true meaning of carpooling? Is it to save gas by encouraging people to ride together?

If that’s the case, then why do we allow people with small children to ride in the carpool lane? I mean, I’m happy that it is allowed since I have a little one but to be honest, how is that saving gas? It’s not like small children and kids below driving age can drive on their own and thus wasting gas. Take this further, should children and kids ride in school buses if they are going to school to help maximize gas conservation?

I understand motorcycles can ride in the carpool lane because their engine can overheat and thus have to try and keep it moving and plus, they do conserve gas over the use of a car. I also do think it’s fine to ride in the carpool lane if your vehicle can give you XX mpg such as a Prius or Civic Hybrid as that IS encouraging gas conservation.
I have to disagree Mexkimo. If you say all people count and it’s not about the gas but about the wear an tear and not about encouraging every drivable person to carpool, the road still wears out in the same amount of time with or without children. My take is that it’s supposed to reduce the amount of gas consumption or reduce the amount of cars in the street. By allowing children and non-driveable people to ride in the carpool lane, sorta defeats the purpose of having a carpool lane.

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