HOV Crackdown Thursday On I-66 Inside Beltway: Police

FAIRFAX, VA—Virginia State Police plan to conduct a focused High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) enforcement on Interstate 66 inside the Beltway Thursday, Dec. 13, during morning and afternoon rush hour periods, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. All drivers must have E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex (for HOV-2+) to travel during rush hours.

The most recent such exercise, Nov. 30, had 13 drivers caught during the morning rush hour and 19 during the evening commute. HOV hours are Monday through Friday, from 5:30 to 9:30 a.m. eastbound and 3 to 7 p.m. westbound. From VDOT:

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.

Image via Virginia Department of Transportation