Playing 'Beat the Clock' in HOV lanes isn't wise

(By Jeff Gynane)

Discussion Policy

Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

By Robert Thomson

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Dear Dr. Gridlock:

I recently entered the HOV lanes on Interstate 395 south near the Pentagon at 3:15 p.m. on a weekday with my husband in the car. We were headed to Stafford, so I intended to stay in the HOV lanes until they ended near Quantico.

My husband said I would need to exit the lanes before 3:30 p.m. so as not to break the HOV-3 rule that goes into effect then. I thought I could stay in the lanes because I had entered before 3:30 p.m. Which of us is correct?

Bobbie Harris

Stafford

DG: Your husband is right -- this time. Joan Morris, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Transportation, says that if you're in the HOV lanes at 3:30 p.m. weekdays without the required three occupants in the vehicle, you risk a ticket. The restriction ends at 6 p.m.

Solo drivers or drivers with one passenger must exit the HOV lanes by 3:30. Morris noted that this message is displayed on the overhead signs to remind motorists: "HOV VIOLATORS WILL BE TICKETED AT 3:30 PM."

CONTINUED 1 >