Can I Vent? I Hate HOV Violators
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Topic: Can I Vent? I Hate HOV Violators
Posted By: dixeedog
Subject: Can I Vent? I Hate HOV Violators
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2004 at 7:26am
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I guess I hate them so much because I follow the rules of the HOV System and have been picking up slug or slugging myself for about two years. When I see an HOV Violator I just wish I have a Rocket Launcher mounted to my roof, alittle self help justice. Like this morning I saw a Black Mercedes SLK-320 in the HOV Lanes. I just wanted to yell out the car window at him, “Hey buddy, your car is just a two seater! Your not even trying to follow the HOV rules.” Let me ask the group why do you hate HOV Violators so much.....
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Replies:
Posted By: vabigblue
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2004 at 8:43am
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I saw the exact same vehicle "Dog". He was definitely weaving in and out of traffic. I don't like it because they make it difficult for legal users. In other words, it would be much better if we weren't delayed so much. The majority of the delays are caused by cheaters of the system. The crack-down a couple of years ago hasn't done much good.
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Posted By: glacier
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2004 at 9:04am
Although I do not hate cheaters nor let it ruin my day, I do crack a smile when I see one pulled over. It also puts a smile on my face when I see the police out in force to catch them.
Cheers,
Glacier
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Posted By: slugbug
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2004 at 10:55am
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I DISLIKE violaters...because a lot of times, they're so paranoid about being in HOV, that they drive slow and hold up the flow of traffic.
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Posted By: emancilla
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2004 at 11:24am
The unfortunate thing is that they continue to enter the HOV lanes until they they caught. At least, that's what I heard from one of them. He was saying that he can get away from getting a ticket for as much as 8mos. He said it was worth the risk.?!
That doesn't make sense to me.
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Posted By: no_more_metro
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2004 at 11:42am
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Well, unfortunately, someone who can afford a black Mercedes 2-seater would think nothing of having to pay the $500 fine, many times if he had to.
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Posted By: ScarletLSG
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2004 at 11:59am
I can't say that I HATE them ... but they do cause traffic to be slower ... MOSTLY because SOME end up being pulled over. This morning, there were SIX pulled over between Dale City and the Pentagon ... with the flashing police lights, everyone has to have a gawk.
ScarletLSG
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Posted By: emancilla
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2004 at 12:06pm
quote:
Originally posted by no_more_metro
[br]Well, unfortunately, someone who can afford a black Mercedes 2-seater would think nothing of having to pay the $500 fine, many times if he had to.
That's true no_more_metro.
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Posted By: DC2RV
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2004 at 12:07pm
I hate them. Maybe Dog and I can get a 2 for 1 special on the rocket launcher...?
Actually, they just annoy me. I see at as an arrogant flaunting of the rules. Particularly when so many of us "suck it up" and do abide by the rules. Which goes back to the reason I slug - out of all of the options that are available for legally using the HOV, slugging is the best.
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Posted By: DC2RV
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2004 at 12:07pm
I hate them. Maybe Dog and I can get a 2 for 1 special on the rocket launcher...?
Actually, they just annoy me. I see at as an arrogant flaunting of the rules. Particularly when so many of us "suck it up" and do abide by the rules. Which goes back to the reason I slug - out of all of the options that are available for legally using the HOV, slugging is the best.
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Posted By: SlugBuddy
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2004 at 12:18pm
If you want to really do something about the problem, here is the POC at the state police. I complained and this was their response (remember the squeaky wheel gets the oil[;)]):
Lieutenant Colonel E.A. Stockton, Director of the Bureau of Field Operations for the Virginia State Police asked that I thank you for and respond to your e-mail of March 2, 2004 concerning HOV violations.
We certainly understand your concerns regarding those motorists who flagrantly violate the HOV laws on a continual basis. Our Department continually addresses these concerns with increased enforcement and issues hundreds of tickets each year for these violations.
It may interest you to know that during 2003 troopers issued 19,042 summonses for HOV violations. You may be assured that we will continue to address the problems you identified and ensure our available resources are effectively and efficiently utilized.
Following the attack at the Pentagon additional enforcement and security responsibilities have impacted on manpower and our immediate priorities and patrol activities.
Please be assured we are using every resource we have available to effectively address HOV violations on our roads and enforce the other laws we are charged with enforcing.
We recently began a program to increase enforcement and visibility on the HOV lanes to address those violators who routinely use the HOV lanes for their commute.
With regards to funds, all revenue collected by the courts as a result of a traffic summons goes into the state literary fund. This fund is primarily used to support capital improvement projects for schools throughout Virginia. No funds are returned to the state police.
I am also forwarding a copy of your e-mail to Captain G.M. Counts our Division Commander in Fairfax to make him aware of your concerns and for appropriate action.
Thank you for your concern for highway safety.
Bud Cox
Management Analyst
Virginia State Police
804-674-2127
bcox@vsp.state.va.us
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Posted By: vabigblue
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2004 at 12:21pm
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I don't understand why law enforcement cracked down for a week or ten days, then allowed the system to revert back to the way it was. Is it resources or what?
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Posted By: ronin718
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2004 at 12:36pm
Probably, although I've seen a greater number of patrol cars in the mornings now that the first part of Rt.110 by the Pentagon has opened up. Now if they'd only come out in the afternoons.
Ticket money goes to the State Literary Fund, eh? Okay, jack up the price for the first violation to $300 and go from there, get some more money for the fund. Then maybe they should issue invitations to a Literary event along with the ticket to these violators so they can READ THE MANUAL.
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Posted By: SlugBuddy
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2004 at 12:38pm
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Don't just sit and complain here, send emails to the state police and let them know about the problem!! The squeaky wheel gets the oil, and nobody that can do anything about it can hear you squeaking in here...
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Posted By: JiggaJynx
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2004 at 2:01pm
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AND we need to energize our lawmakers to put teeth into the law--ASSIGN POINTS.
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Posted By: USA
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2004 at 2:03pm
quote:
Originally posted by no_more_metro
[br]Well, unfortunately, someone who can afford a black Mercedes 2-seater would think nothing of having to pay the $500 fine, many times if he had to.
The SLK is not all that expensive of a car that the driver will necessarily be wealthy. I think you may be thinking of the higher-end SL, which starts at around $90,000.
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Posted By: dixeedog
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2004 at 11:35am
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If there is any justice in the this crazy world please let it be the same HOV violator. Darn you Black SLK 320 with Virginia tags.
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Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2004 at 5:33pm
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Buying the Mercedes SLK doesn't necessarily make him richer... it makes him poorer. He would've had a lot more spending money, if he didn't have that Mercedes. Think about it. :-)
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Posted By: DC2RV
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2004 at 9:14am
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I heard on WTOP this AM that due to some sort of glitch the HOV signs were either off or read "Open". Lisa Baden stated that lot's of violators were getting pulled over and "educated".
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Posted By: ronin718
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2004 at 11:26am
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Oh great!!! And I'll bet all those violators who do it whether the signs are posted or not were screaming entrapment. It figures. I say all the State and County cops should get out next week and really go to town.
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Posted By: vabigblue
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2004 at 12:29pm
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Yeh, its something about the HOV lanes that will make people want to drive on them regardless if the regular lanes are free of traffic. I don't understand it either. Strange!
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Posted By: mertonbunker
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2004 at 12:47pm
I am also very, very tired of the folks that get into the HOV between Dumfries and Rte. 123 around 5:50 AM, knowing full well thay cannot exit in Springfield before 6:00. They cause significant delays until Woodbridge, and add about 15-20 minutes to my daily commute. Why can't the legislature roll the start time back to 5:00 or 530 AM?[?]
Hat's off to the Staties, who were out on Tuesday aftenoon at the exit near Rte. 234. They pinched a few violators, but unfortunately many more got through than were ticketed.
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Posted By: mfassler
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2004 at 3:01pm
JiggaJynx--
It is 3 points for HOV violation-1st offense, 4 pts for 2nd offense, and 6 pts for 3rd offense. If you have 3 offenses within 3 years, you'll have 13 pts, and they take your license away for 90 days after 12 points. So, (while I have NEVER had this problem) they have addressed the law, but people are STILL willing to risk it to save a few hours on the road...
610 SLUG
quote:
Originally posted by JiggaJynx
[br]AND we need to energize our lawmakers to put teeth into the law--ASSIGN POINTS.
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Posted By: ronin718
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2004 at 4:07pm
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Unfortunately, the best way to do the enforcement entails posting a cop at each off ramp and flagging in violators. In turn, this puts delays on the lanes. And there have been MANY complaints about how the cops have caused great delays doing their on-the-spot enforcement. There needs to be some sort of give and take. If we want more enforcement, we need to be willing to sacrifice occasionally to get the *#(&^%$&$ violators nailed.
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Posted By: JiggaJynx
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2004 at 4:38pm
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Thanks, mfassler. Is giving points for HOV violation a recent change? Within the last year, I recall folks saying points were not being assessed. Cheers!
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Posted By: DC2RV
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2004 at 5:11pm
I agree with Ronin. It may be hassle to have to slow down or be stopped in order for the cops to stop the violators, but that's a price I'm willing to pay.
Of course, if you have cops at the on-ramps, the state will probably want to erect booths. First, it'll be innocuous - the rationale will be to protect the police from inclement weather. But then it'll evolve - "Hey, we've got these great booths, let's put in toll colletors and open HOV to HOT." But hey, who am I kidding, the state would never connect those dots...or would they?
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Posted By: Arbo
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2004 at 8:33am
DC2RV - They don't have to connect the dots - you just did it for them.
Remember, the answer to Life, The Universe, and Everything is 42. We just don't know the Question.
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Posted By: vabigblue
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2004 at 10:07am
quote:
Originally posted by DC2RV
[br]I agree with Ronin. It may be hassle to have to slow down or be stopped in order for the cops to stop the violators, but that's a price I'm willing to pay.
Of course, if you have cops at the on-ramps, the state will probably want to erect booths. First, it'll be innocuous - the rationale will be to protect the police from inclement weather. But then it'll evolve - "Hey, we've got these great booths, let's put in toll colletors and open HOV to HOT." But hey, who am I kidding, the state would never connect those dots...or would they?
LOL DC2RV. But I wish you hadn't mentioned "connecting the dots". If they don't know about this site yet, they will soon. LOL.
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Posted By: salsita
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2004 at 11:30am
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Question: Those folks that they catch on HOV, do they get to continue on hov after receiving the ticket or are the escorted off some how?
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Posted By: Mrs.KLB
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2004 at 11:53am
Last Thursday morning there where so many cops on the HOV, in cars and on motorcycle and violators riding right on by them like they where nothing. When I got to the Springfield interchange, there was a cop sitting on a motorcycle with his bike facing the lanes, there was a guy on the right hand side of me clearly violating he rides right by the cop at normal speed the cop looks in his car as he ride by and did not stop him. This was not a law enforcment, clean fuel rider this was your average violator. Now on the other hand I have had a cop to signal me in my mirror to move over so that he could get a violator that was in front of me, I guess he had been following him for a while and couldn't find the right opportunity to pull him over.In the 7 years that I have been using HOV this year has really been the worst I have seen the violating it's like they really do not care. I keep saying VIRGINIA NEEDS TO START GIVING POINTS TO VIOLATORS!!!
Mrs. B
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Posted By: vabigblue
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2004 at 12:24pm
quote:
Originally posted by salsita
[br]Question: Those folks that they catch on HOV, do they get to continue on hov after receiving the ticket or are the escorted off some how?
They probably have to get off at the next available exit.
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Posted By: emancilla
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2004 at 12:56pm
quote:
Originally posted by vabigblue
[br]quote:
Originally posted by salsita
[br]Question: Those folks that they catch on HOV, do they get to continue on hov after receiving the ticket or are the escorted off some how?
They probably have to get off at the next available exit.
As vabigblue states, they must get off at the next exit. I'm wondering, if they don't and they get caught again, do they get another ticket?
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Posted By: Mrs.KLB
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2004 at 1:16pm
90% of the time they do not get off at the exit, they keep on going.
quote:
Originally posted by emancilla
[br]quote:
Originally posted by vabigblue
[br]quote:
Originally posted by salsita
[br]Question: Those folks that they catch on HOV, do they get to continue on hov after receiving the ticket or are the escorted off some how?
They probably have to get off at the next available exit.
As vabigblue states, they must get off at the next exit. I'm wondering, if they don't and they get caught again, do they get another ticket?
Mrs. B
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Posted By: DC2RV
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2004 at 1:18pm
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Depending on where they get pulled over, there may not be another exit. Coming toward DC, inside the Beltway, once you're on HOV you're committed.
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Posted By: Max_28756
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2004 at 3:03pm
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I agree with Mrs KLB, the state needs to hand out points with those tickets. As it currently stands, these people have turned it into their own HOT lane. If they average out the cost of the ticket against the number of times they are not being caught, the cost is in their favor. As more and more traffic moves along I95, there will be more people willing to risk the cost. If they knew they may lose their license from an accumulation of points, that would be different (I hope).
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Posted By: emancilla
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2004 at 3:13pm
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That would be too drastic. If they can't drive, there won't be tickets.($$$)
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Posted By: JiggaJynx
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2004 at 3:24pm
quote:
Originally posted by Max_28756
[br]I agree with Mrs KLB, the state needs to hand out points with those tickets....
I found the text of Senate Bill 508, approved by the Governer on April 12, 2004. It allows for 3 points to be assessed on the third and subsequent violations within five years of the first offense. A first offense remains $50 and no points. Does anyone know when this law should take effect?
I would include an excerpt, but the text strikes through some language, so I refer you to the following website, with emphasis on paragraph 1B:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?041+ful+CHAP0704
With regards Planning District 8, I don't know the boundaries, but as best I can tell, it includes at least Alexandria and Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties.
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Posted By: mirangus
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2004 at 5:01pm
Monetary fines are NOT enough to discourage those with a substantial amount of money to play fair. But points on the license hurt and can hurt badly!!
I think the points "awarded" for violations should be elevated high enough that two violations is enough to revoke licenses. Getting in the HOV lanes (especially on 395/95 where they are separate, dedicated lanes) is a deliberate move. There's no "oops, I just ended up here somehow..." I say give enough points on the license after the first violation to scare the pants off of potential violators and (I guess I'll be nice) give the out-of-towners an education on the highway system in Northern VA. If there is a second violation, then you are just blatantly disregarding the law and should be tarred and feathered!! Or at least not allowed to drive. Because after a second time, you are just displaying the fact that your either a selfish idiot...or just an idiot. Besides, idiots of any kind should be discouraged from sharing the roads with people who have morals and brains.
Harsh maybe, but a fair opinion, I think.[;)]
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Posted By: Wagonman
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2004 at 6:58pm
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JiggaJynx: New laws usually take effect in July.
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Posted By: vabigblue
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2004 at 8:17am
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I agree with mirangus. It has to be something to get the violator's attention. These fines are too small to deter the person who "will just enter at any cost". Revoking licenses would be something to definitely get their attention.
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Posted By: Wagonman
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2004 at 4:55am
quote:
Originally posted by vabigblue
[br]I agree with mirangus. It has to be something to get the violator's attention. These fines are too small to deter the person who "will just enter at any cost". Revoking licenses would be something to definitely get their attention.
Well, here's food for thought for all you Fairfax slugs. For the new law that passed this year the original bill would have started to assess points on the second HOV violation. I believe Delegate Dave Albo fought that and had it changed to the third offense.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?041+sum+SB508
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?041+amd+SB508AH
The first link shows the originally presented legislation with 3 point on the second offense. The second link is Del. Albo's amendment.
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Posted By: SlugBuddy
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2004 at 3:20pm
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Like I said before, the best thing we can do as slugs is let our voices be heard!! Whether it be to the state police about ticketing violators or to our Government about the laws. We have the numbers, we just need to band together and bombard them with our thoughts and possible solutions!!
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Posted By: JiggaJynx
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2004 at 7:26am
quote:
Originally posted by Wagonman
[br]JiggaJynx: New laws usually take effect in July.
Thanks, Wagonman. Maybe life in the "fast" lanes will get better when points are involved.
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Posted By: vabigblue
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2004 at 7:33am
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Something or someone must have mentioned violating HOV restrictions because this a.m. I noted the overhead message boards warned potential violators that they would be subject to tickets at 6 a.m. If this is effective, we probably won't see many violators in the future.
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Posted By: DC2RV
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2004 at 8:04am
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Was that notice on all the boards? At Springfield the board was off, so I didn't pay any more attention. If it was on all the boards, that's good, but I really don't think it will dissuade the habitual violators.
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Posted By: emancilla
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2004 at 9:00am
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I think that was just a regular routine to display that message on the overhead boards. I've usually seen them once in a while.
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Posted By: JiggaJynx
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2004 at 9:21am
quote:
Originally posted by emancilla
[br]I think that was just a regular routine to display that message on the overhead boards. I've usually seen them once in a while.
True. The "Violators will be ticketed at 6:00 a.m." (or "at 3:30 p.m.") notice has been out awhile. I usually see those messages on the rare days I get into the HOV lanes before restrictions take effect.
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Posted By: vabigblue
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2004 at 10:55am
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Actually this was the first time I saw that particular message. It may have been there before, I just didn't see it. I hope they follow up on the message tho!
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Posted By: salsita
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2004 at 11:44am
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I think what the sign is saying is that at 6am they will begin ticketing people even if they are on HOV prior to 6am. I remember the rule was if you were on HOV before 6am there was no ticket. Now it's regardless if you were on before or not. If you are on HOV at 6, you get a ticket.
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Posted By: dixeedog
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2004 at 12:17pm
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wow 53 posts on 3 pages, I guess we all realy do hate HOV Violators!
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Posted By: Rosebud
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2004 at 2:48pm
Triple the fine, double the number of police. Good way to pay for the State budget deficit or road maintenance. Mounting missles and shooting them will only cause more traffic jams.
You know what I mean??
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Posted By: ronin718
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2004 at 3:04pm
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Not if you totally obliterate 'em. [}:)] Might leave a nasty pothole, though. [:D]
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Posted By: Max_28756
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2004 at 7:59am
Good news, we win a battle! http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0604/154427.html
Fines for HOV Violators Increase in July
UPDATED - Monday June 21, 2004 9:00pm
Arlington, Va. (AP) - Drivers who illegally use northern Virginia's High Occupancy Vehicle lanes face an increased risk of getting caught beginning next month.
"If you violate HOV lanes you will be stopped and you will be ticketed," Sgt. Wallace Bouldin of the Virginia State Police said Monday. As of July 1, fines are being increased to $1,000 for a fourth offense.
"We have people with five to seven HOV violations over a six- or seven-year period," said Bouldin. While the fine for a first violation remains $50, penalties for a second violation are increasing from $100 to $200 and a third violation has been doubled to $500.
The new fine structure does not apply to HOV lanes in Hampton Roads.
The Washington, D.C., area has some of the most congested regions in the nation. Daily HOV lane usage on Interstate 95 south of Springfield has increased to 16,000 people over the past five years from about 10,000 in 1998, said Tom Farley, the Virginia Department of Transportation's regional administrator.
HOV lanes on Interstates 95 and 395 require three or more persons per vehicle, while lanes on Interstate 66 and the Dulles Toll Road are open to vehicles with two or more riders.
I-395's HOV lanes carry about 29,380 people each day in 7,900 vehicles, compared to 21,300 people in 18,440 vehicles in each regular traffic lane, according to VDOT figures.
"Large numbers of cheaters are clearly threatening the viability of the lanes," said Lon Anderson, a spokesman for AAA Mid-Atlantic, which supports the stiffer fines. Anderson said keeping the lanes open for car pools and buses is vital to regional mobility.
Overhead signs now display messages warning of the increased fines. Over the past year, state police have issued 19,042 citations, up 2,000 from the previous 12-month period. Bouldin said officers have been instructed to include HOV enforcement in their patrol duties.
A task force convened last summer by the state's secretaries of transportation and public safety recommended stepped-up enforcement, heftier fines and the assessment of points on the driver's licenses of violators.
While each violation is still subject to $39 in court costs, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle will now assess three demerit points for the third and fourth violations. The accumulation of points can lead to higher insurance rates for motorists at renewal time.
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