News
December 15, 2009
State and local law enforcement team up to take on H.O.V. violators
ARLINGTON, VA – H.O.V. violators beware. Wednesday morning, Dec. 16, 2009, local and state police will be saturating Northern Virginia interstates and the Dulles Toll Road to enforce compliance in the usage of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes.
The Virginia State Police Fairfax Division will have 75 percent of its sworn personnel dedicated to HOV enforcement efforts on Interstates 66, 95 and 395, and the Dulles Toll Road during Wednesday morning rush hour.
In addition, inside the Beltway, State Police will be teaming up with Arlington County Police, Fairfax County Police and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Police to conduct the special HOV enforcement operation.
From 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday, law enforcement will be utilizing both moving and stationary enforcement methods to ensure compliance of HOV restrictions. Police will be adjusting their enforcement methods during the morning so as to avoid traffic backups and added congestion.
State police will also be targeting those vehicles illegally parked on interstate ramps waiting for the morning HOV restrictions to lift.
“This widespread, collaborative enforcement effort is about more than just HOV compliance,” said Capt. Tracy Russillo, Virginia State Police Fairfax Division Commander. “Traffic safety is a necessity on Northern Virginia’s crowded highways and our stepped-up visibility will hopefully be a reminder to all motorists of the need during their commutes to always buckle up, avoid distractions, share the road, and drive drug and alcohol free.”
HOV-3 = I-95 & I-395
HOV-2 = I-66 (Inside and Outside the Beltway) and the Dulles Toll Road
Hybrid vehicles with the required clean fuel plates, issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, are able to use the HOV lanes on Interstates 95, 395, 66 and the Dulles Toll Road until June 30, 2010.
Motorists who violate HOV laws face the following fines:
• First offense $125
• Second offense $250, plus three points on your driving record
• Third offense $500, plus three points on your driving record
• Fourth offense $1,000, plus three points on your driving record
With the increased presence of troopers and officers on the interstates, motorists are reminded of Virginia’s “Move Over” law. The “Move Over” law requires motorists to change to another travel lane or, when not able to, to slow down when passing emergency personnel stopped out on the road. Violation of the law carries a punishment of up to a $2,500 fine and/or 12 months in jail.
**FOR MEDIA-PIO will be on scene in Arlington if news outlets would like to plan on live feeds from an intersection. Please contact Det. Nosal at 571 21-1492.** |
