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A Move to Unclog the Carpool Lanes
Police also are increasing fines for carpool violators during rush hours in an attempt to curb congestion. A first offense will cost $125, up from $50. A second offense will cost $250, instead of $200, and drivers will receive three points on their licenses.
Fines for third and fourth offenses remain the same, at $500 and $1,000.
  Drivers who buy hybrids are no longer exempt from rules governing HOV lanes on Interstates 95 and 395. Ten thousand hybrids are registered in Virginia. (By Leslie E. Kossoff -- Associated Press) |
But it is the end of the hybrid exemption rule that seems to be provoking the most emotion from drivers.
Some hybrid owners argue that more of the electricity-and-gas-fueled cars could use the carpool lanes because traffic still moves better than in the regular lanes.
"There's still room in the express lanes for more vehicles," said Dick Tobey of Annandale, who said it takes 25 minutes to get from Annandale to the Washington Navy Yard using the HOV lane on I-395, compared with a drive that could take well over 40 minutes in regular lanes. "We're certainly not at the tipping point yet."
Tobey, who bought his hybrid in 2002, said the change in the law will just make the drive in the other lanes worse.
"The only thing I see happening is that the regular lanes become even more clogged," he said. "Where are those other cars going to go?"
