We all know how bad traffic in New York City can get, but it's still surprising the levels to which some people will stoop to avoid a traffic jam:

An MTA manager claims an inflatable doll that's been riding shotgun in his Kia Telluride is there "for the company" — and not to skirt HOV restrictions, as his coworkers suspect.

Giulio Divirgilio, a general superintendent at the MTA Buses department, pulled into his Brooklyn office building early Wednesday morning with the blown-up dummy plopped in the front seat like "Otto Pilot" in the 1980 comedy "Airplane!"

Confronted by The Post outside the East New York building, Divirgilio denied he had the inflatable suit-sporting businessman in tow to illegally cruise in lanes reserved for high-occupancy vehicles.

"I don't use it for the HOV," the $122,000-per-year government official insisted. "I use it for the company."

Here's the best part:

Pressed whether the dummy's express purpose was in fact to cheat the HOV, Divirgilio replied: "Have I ever lied to you?"

It's a fair question. We should be willing to extend Mr. Divirgilio the benefit of the doubt. But suppose he's telling the truth? That means instead of a sneaky attempt to circumvent local transportation laws, the man is just...riding along in a car with an inflatable doll "for company."

That is awkward.