State police: We didn't cause backup

Police were out in force Wednesday morning cracking down on those who use the High Occupancy Vehicle lanes illegally. But they said they weren’t the reason for the delays that morning.

The express lanes, from Dumfries to the Pentagon, are restricted to cars and buses with three or more passengers from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

The major crackdown of HOV rules on Wednesday netted 89 total violations, including one person who was charged with drunk driving.

But a crash in the southbound lanes of I-95 near Lorton caused delays in the express lanes for much of the early morning. Drivers who slowed to look at the crash appear to have been the cause of the delays in the HOV lanes, said Virginia State Police spokeswoman Deborah Cox.

Originally, troopers planned to patrol the lanes by sitting on the side of the highway and with troopers who were driving on the lanes. The crash forced police to switch to a roving enforcement of the HOV lanes to avoid additional backups, said Cox.

Some drivers who were stuck in the backup that morning commented on News & Messenger’s Web site, insidenova.com, and were quick to point the blame at police.

“For over 15 miles, from Lorton to Pentagon, traffic [crept] and crawled. I understand VSP are doing their job by doing HOV enforcements but I have serious problems with their approach,” stated Everfreshsista, a motorist from Woodbridge who uses the lanes daily.

State police issued 69 first time HOV offenses, two second time offenses, one DUI and 15 other traffic violations.

First time violators are subject to a $125 fine while second time violators could pay a $250 fine if convicted.

Police also issued summons to two drivers for “move over” violations. The “move over” law passed in 2002 requires drivers to change lanes when possible to avoid a stopped police or emergency vehicle on the shoulder of a highway.

The law has been praised by many in the law enforcement community who say the legislation saves the lives of troopers and fire and rescue crews.

Lawyers in Virginia have voiced their disagreement with the way the law is being enforced, as they maintain police ticket drivers who slow down but cannot change lanes when approaching stopped emergency vehicles.

A Centreville man who slammed into a stopped state trooper’s car parked on the shoulder of I-66, severely injuring the trooper, was sentenced last year to 45 days in jail and to 100 hours of community service to help state police to publicize the law.

If convicted, a person violating the law could loose their license for up to two years, according to the Virginia State Police Web site.

Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-878-8065.