Violators This Morning .. & No Enforcement

Okay, it is Valentine's Day, but what gives on the HOV between Va 644 and the P'gon this morning? I drove this morning and it seemed the HOV lanes were more crowded and slower than usual. My HOV-4 carpool saw violators in about 1 out every 4 cars this morning & only 2 cars were hybrids. We drove in between 6:20 & 6:35 AM from Va 644 to the P'gon exit. And, of course, we saw none of the violators get pulled over. Anyone know if the HOV restrictions are lifted on Valentine's Day???? (I doubt it.)

Happy Valentine's Day & Keep on Sluggin'! [:)]

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Originally posted by sluDgE
[br]Okay, it is Valentine's Day, but what gives on the HOV between Va 644 and the P'gon this morning? I drove this morning and it seemed the HOV lanes were more crowded and slower than usual. My HOV-4 carpool saw violators in about 1 out every 4 cars this morning & only 2 cars were hybrids. We drove in between 6:20 & 6:35 AM from Va 644 to the P'gon exit. And, of course, we saw none of the violators get pulled over. Anyone know if the HOV restrictions are lifted on Valentine's Day???? (I doubt it.)

Happy Valentine's Day & Keep on Sluggin'! [:)]

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This is getting stupid. There was zero enforcement. Where are all the state troopers?

-Robert

Since daylight savings time went out and the morning commute has been in the dark, the number of HOV violators has soared. The other morning from Woodbridge to the Pentagon I passed or was passed by 22 cars...20 of which were violators! When is the VA State Patrol going to enfore the HOV restrictions? Seems they could make enough money to help finance the HOV extension to Fredericksburg.

Happy Valentine's Day![8D]

Chip

Perhaps it too is a matter of information. I have had several conversations with the Fairfax (7th) Division. of the State Patrol. They were not aware of the cause and effect that the incident had. They are now, and they are looking at how to move manpower about to be more effective, essentially, hunt while the game is on the move.

Recently, the VA Police have a "large sum" of Federal grant, earmarked for HOV enforcement. Soon, (and it may have been said, in the next two weeks) you should see a heavy presence of HOV enforcement.

I encourage you to note to the Virginia legislature that HOV enforcement could be better. In fact, it is a money maker, given that at $50 a ticket (not counting court costs), a Troopr needs to issue a ticket every 20 minutes, over three hours, to cover his cost of enforcement. With the hundreds of violators, it is like ducks in a barrel.

Always, you can report violations, particularly when you note they are running rampant or have a particular pattern, or a reckless and agressive, call the VA State Police, #77. This is the "emergancy number." Use it for emergancy or other urgent matters.

If you'd rather discuss the matter with the Public Affairs and suggest that they increase their enforcement, call (703) 323-4500.

FWIW ... this morning the HOVs were "smokin'" from S'field Va 644 entrance to the P'gon exit at about 6:20 to 6:35. HOV was moving so well that we passed (and were passed by) very few vehicles ... but we did see 6 vehicles with less than 3 people in them as follows:
- dark green older Honda Accord, driver only
- aqua old Chevy pickup, only two construction workers onboard
- silver Toyota or Nissan pickup, driver only (had what looked like an FOP emblem on its licence tag)
- silver older Toyota Prius, driver only
- deep red new Toyota Prius, driver only
- black Chrysler, driver only, (had a couple of antennas on the trunk, might be FBI or Secret Service)

Oh well ... we were all doing at least 65 mph. [;)]

Keep on sluggin'! [:)]