Crowded HOV Lanes

Reckless is not always 20 mph over or 80 mph. In a 35 mph zone, 55 is not enough to be reckless even though it's 20 over--for some reason, in a 35 zone 60 mph is the threshold.

The reckless isn't necessarily automatic even if you do go that fast. I was in court one time and a case ahead of mine involved someone who got a ticket for going 98 mph on I-66 west of Fair Oaks late at night. The judge asked the cop why he didn't write a reckless and the cop said that he didn't feel that the driver was putting himself or anyone else in danger because the road was clear. I say good for that cop!

Speeding is a rampant problem in this area and the type of attitude that we are seeing on this message board really shows what we are dealing with. This shows how bad the disparity is between those who try to be at least close to the limits and those who just think everyone else is and idiot for not going 80. Unbelievable.

One other point. Even if you think it is safe to go 80, it is incredibly rude to subject your slugs to that. How about thinking about someone other than your self for a change.

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Originally posted by harlean
[br]Hybrids that go 65 and below, and equally slow moving other vehicles should always stay in the right lane. It's common courtesy. Either that or stop stalling traffic and hurry up.

ScarletLSG, since you say you "can easily accelerate to 80, if I choose," pray tell why don't you? Other than gas consumption, is there another viable reason why Hybrids don't like to speed up? I have been asking myself that question since I saw my first Hybrid stalling traffic on the HOVs.

I agree with FromWoodbridge, all traffic on the left lane should go at least 75. And if a slow poke from the right lane moves to the left lane - speed up and don't hold up traffic.

I also agree with SlugginFool, there ARE "too many Hybrids out there." They are not welcome on the HOV lanes and should not be allowed use them - unless they fulfill the 3 persons per vehicle rule AND don't impede the flow of traffic. Otherwise they can go to the regular lanes that move just as slow.

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"Poking" in the left lane and blaming it on Hybrids is like saying, the only reason the HOVs are crowded is BECAUSE of Hybrids. Huh, seems to me (us), I notice a gazillion (and yes, I hear that IS in fact a word) different models and makes of vehicles in the HOVs on a daily basis. And, while in your opinion, Hybrids are "not welcome on the HOV", in VA they are legal on the HOV. Spend your time/energy on something that to me sounds more constructive.

Actually, I have to disagree with you USA (unless you are in law enforcement and therefore would know better than I). When I received my ticket, I did a lot of research on VA law, and reckless driving clearly encompassed driving 20mph over the limit. I took a quick look on the VA DMV site and this is what it said: Reckless driving - speeding in excess of 80 mph (11 years); Reckless driving - speeding 20 mph or more above the posted speed limit (11 years). The years are the number of years that the points stay on your record.

You're right that it is the officer's discretion whether they give you reckless or not. I applaud the cop who did not give that person a reckless ticket (although 98 sure sounds too high to me). When I received my ticket for doing 84 in a 65, I was passing someone who continuously kept pace with my car, and I needed to get off at the next exit. When I retained a lawyer, apparently this particular cop is infamous in Stafford County for giving people reckless tickets. I have cops in my immediate family, but traffic cops are not too high in my book.

And sorry to those who disagree with me, but I CAN do 80 safely. I know the limits of my car, I know how to gauge traffic, I know how to leave a safe distance, etc. It is the idiots who go fast when weaving in and out of traffic, cutting people off, who need to be punished.

Oh, and BTW (in response to another post), I am a rider, not a driver. I do not subject anyone to anything.

I stand corrected. Thanks for doing the research - I was too lazy. [8)]

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Originally posted by USA
[br]I am not in law enforcement, but I can refer you to Va. Code 46.2-862, "Exceeding Speed Limit," which provides as follows. Item (ii) is the one to which I was referring before. You can find the statute at http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-862

"A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who drives a motor vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth (i) at a speed of twenty miles per hour or more in excess of the applicable maximum speed limit where the applicable speed limit is thirty miles per hour or less, (ii) at a speed of sixty miles per hour or more where the applicable maximum speed limit is thirty-five miles per hour, (iii) at a speed of twenty miles per hour or more in excess of the applicable maximum speed limits where the applicable maximum speed limit is forty miles per hour or more, or (iv) in excess of eighty miles per hour regardless of the applicable maximum speed limit."

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Originally posted by pb1974
[br]Actually, I have to disagree with you USA (unless you are in law enforcement and therefore would know better than I). When I received my ticket, I did a lot of research on VA law, and reckless driving clearly encompassed driving 20mph over the limit. I took a quick look on the VA DMV site and this is what it said: Reckless driving - speeding in excess of 80 mph (11 years); Reckless driving - speeding 20 mph or more above the posted speed limit (11 years). The years are the number of years that the points stay on your record.

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