I-66 HOV enforcement nets 32 violators

Virginia State Police stepped up enforcement on Interstate 66 on Friday.

Additional state troopers were out in force targeting HOV violators. The move comes one year after state officials enacted tolls on I-66 inside the Beltway, generating tolls of more than $44 one-way.

Troopers first deployed during the morning rush hour Friday and later in the day focused their attention on commuters headed home.

Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller says:

State police conducted Friday’s first concentrated operation during the morning rush hour and netted 13 HOT lane violators in the eastbound I-66 Express Lanes inside the Beltway. In addition, Virginia troopers cited four drivers for speeding and one for reckless driving between the 5:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. special enforcement period Friday (Nov. 30, 2018). Four citations for expired inspection stickers were also issued.

The evening rush hour HOV enforcement effort focused on the westbound Interstate 66 Express Lanes between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Troopers cited 19 drivers for HOT lane violations. The troopers also issued five citations for expired inspection stickers and four drivers were cited for driver’s license violations.

“This enforcement initiative was conducted in response to the numerous complaints received from Northern Virginians frustrated with seeing so many HOV violators abusing the I-66 Express Lanes inside the Beltway, ” said 1st Sgt. S. Mittendorff. “Even with the advance publicity, 32 drivers still chose to violate HOV rules. This effort was not about writing tickets or revenue. This is about drivers complying with the rules and keeping traffic moving safely and efficiently throughout Northern Virginia.”

Any person in violation of the HOV rules is guilty of a traffic infraction. Violations committed within this area on I-66 are punishable by fines including $125 for a first offense, $250 for a second offense within a period of five years from a first offense, $500 for a third offense within a period of five years from a first offense, and $1,000 for a fourth or subsequent offense within a period of five years from a first offense.

All vehicles with two or more people (HOV-2+) can continue to use the road during rush hours for free, but need an E-ZPass Flex switched to HOV-mode. Drivers choosing to pay a toll and drive by themselves in the express lanes need an E-ZPass.

Work is underway now on I-66 outside the Beltway to build four new lanes that will serve as E-ZPass toll lanes, between Haymarket and Dunn Loring.