Hybrid CX Plates?

I guessing her point is they should be off by 330 but they are not. They just continue on and on and on!

Whooooooo -- HOV Violators with a little extra money to burn???? Now THAT is a heck of a comment.

I guess I'm glad that I'm one of those that has to drive from the South over to Tysons ... I'm able to escape the wrath of Geezehead.

Some facts ... we aren't HOV violators, we are following the law to the letter. Hybrids are NOT that expensive ... way less than a huge gas guzzling, 7 passenger (only carrying 2 in the HOV) SUV. Since trading in my 2002 Mazda 626, I'm actually SAVING by driving a 2003 Hybrid. The monthly payment itself was higher by a smidge, but the monthly gas cost is SIGNIFICANTLY lower, especially with today's gas prices.

I keep a very close eye on the congested HOV lanes. Violators ... the real ones ... are the biggest issue. Today, I counted NO LESS than FIFTY between Lorton and the HOV exit in Dumfries. FIFTY violators, without CF plates, including trucks/sports cars/vans/ETC. Fifty violators in a 15 mile span ... a drive that took me 20 minutes around 3:30 p.m. I can only imagine how much exponentially that number grows from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

ScarletLSG

Thanks both of you, stuck2, and geeze ;)
Overall it's just unfair to blame hybrids, or lump "everyone" together. My own reasons as well as others i know had not just 1 reason but rather a multifaceted reason to go with the hybrid.
You're darn tootin' [:D] it's a great way to asist your otherwise normal commute, but to say i'm a violator in disguise, or one with loads of cash... I would NEVER break the hov rule, never had, i used to be scared to get off 110 and be on 66 for a split second to get onto 29 on my way home.

There's a fundamental issue and reason for the each side's bitterness or "justification." and also a current one: Historically the debate of wether or not HOV was created initially for environmental issues, or congestion issues, and currently, traffic in this region just plain sucks! [V] hence the emotion behind it. Ever notice how upset and vocal everyone gets when posting RIGHT after either their bad day, bad commute, or bad slug experience [:D]

My wife and I recently had our first child and my 1 1/2 hour to 2 hour (sometimes more) commute to something 20 miles away, and just 25mins without traffic, was severely impacting how i was able to help out my family and affecting me. Carpooling, which i was doing, or anything else i could do to shorten the commute is what i did, i was determined to do that, it was sanctioned, i researched, and yes, cutting my commute was my determining factor in a sea of other factors of why i was even thinking about getting one.

I do not think congestion was the original reason to start HOV but rather the environment due to the energy crisis, now it comes to include all of the above, reduce vehicles on the road, environment, and all. I don't think HOT lanes are a good idea, but charging tolls would be ;) Have you seen the HOV lanes on the toll-road lately? They are great! =) I don't think anyone wants to pay $1.50 a day to go home and back, but they'd waste more than that sitting on any of the other roads [:p]. I have been on HOV and seen other more multiple rider hybrids and carpools with MORE than the required 2 or 3, and unfortunately lots of plain old violators. I know that my wife is almost scared to ride with our infant, now toddler on HOV since you can't see his car-seat from the road. It's just a mess in it's current state. Hence all the frustration and heated debate.

quote:

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Originally posted by Stuck2
[br]I think you are taking this too personal, Geezehead. You can't judge hybrid owners. This isn't a societal debate -- the hybrid owners participating citizen in this society! I think non-hybrid owners should get off their soap boxes and write your congress men/women about ALL the issues plaguing the HOV: 1. off duty policemen, 2. violator, 3. hybrids, 4. the opening of HOV at Edsall road, 5. extension of time in the evening hours.

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Hybrid owners that choose to drive themselves in the HOV lanes are nothing more than HOV violators with a little extra money to burn. With that said, there are exceptions (those who have wild commutes like from the south over to Tysons, etc) but to those who continue up 395 into our city, shame on you. Pick up some folks, help out society, be a citizen. I realize the law allows your behavior, but you all know the system and it works great, don't be so self absorbed. And, if not the only cause of the heavy traffic over the past year, hybrids are a major contributor. Everyone knows that while creeping along with our passengers we count 3, 4, and 5 hybirds sitting within a few car lengths of each other. I'm all for the environment, and hybrids in general, but put some bodies in there people. OK?

OK ... I think that the whole clean fuel issue is wonderful for our environment. That being said, I think that the HOV-3 is also a wonderful thing for my environment.

NOW ... to my actual point. The HOV-3 lanes were instituted to assist in HIGH TRAFFIC maintenance in the Metro DC area. By allowing the CF vehicles in the HOV-3 lanes with only one person, you've totally defeated the purpose of having HOV-3 in the first place.

HOV = High Occupancy Vehicles ... NOT Clean Fuel! Let's try to keep our traffic situations under control and require those persons with CF vehicles to adhere to the HOV regulations as well!

Notice how the traffic in the HOV-3 lanes has DRAMATICALLY INCREASED since more single drivers in CF vehicles are able to use it. Hmmm ... makes you think that if you have the $$ to purchase the vehicles, you should have the right to drive wherever you want ... and VA supports it.

My $.02, that's all :)