DALE CITY, Va. — Police in Virginia and Maryland cracked down on HOV violators Tuesday, stopping 449 drivers who police say violated the rules of the road.
High Occupancy Vehicle lanes like the ones on Interstate 95 and 395 between Dumfries and the Pentagon offer a faster ride for vehicles with three or more occupants. Since the 1970s, the lanes have been successful in spurring carpooling and slugging — a unique form of ridesharing where lines of commuters all heading to the same destination form in parking lots like Potomac Mills mall in Woodbridge or the Garrisonville Road commuter lot in North Stafford, where they wait for a driver who’s also headed in their direction to pick them up and give them a free ride to work via I-95’s HOV lanes.
When the system is used correctly everyone benefits, but officials say single drivers who get on the lanes during peak times – between 6 and 9 a.m. and 3:30 and 6 p.m. weekdays when the three or more occupants rule is enforced – can gum up the works and slow everyone’s commute.
According to their final tally, 426 drivers were issued first-time HOV offenses, 18 drivers got second offenses, four were cited or the third offense, and one brazen driver ignored HOV rules for a fourth time, police said.
HOV enforcement on I-95 during the morning rush hour Tuesday was suspended after a series of two fatal crashes on the highway in Dale City, said Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller.
Police also stopped drivers for speeding, seatbelt violations, and for not obeying the Virginia’s “Move Over Law” that requires drivers to merge to the left when an emergency vehicle rendering assistance in a shoulder lane of a highway, added Geller.
Changes are coming to the HOV lanes on I-95 staring sometime this year, as Virginia transportation officials plan to mark the beginning of the conversion of the lanes to High Occupancy Toll lanes that will be dubbed “95 Express Lanes.” Cars with three or more occupants will still be able to ride free with an EZPass transponder, but single drivers for the first time will be able to use the lanes for a fee. The lanes now end at Dumfries, but will be extended nine miles south to Va. 610 in North Stafford, and the total project could be completed in 2014, according to transportation officials.
Tuesday’s enforcement targeted drivers on Interstates 66, 95, 395, and the Dulles Toll Road in Virginia, and on I-270 in Maryland.
Recent Stories
Here’s your chance to own a charming one-level home in North Stafford’s peaceful Lake Arrowhead community—with no HOA to worry about!
A small plane carrying 27 rescued animals touched down at the APP Jet Center in Manassas on Wednesday afternoon, marking another mission by Pilots To The Rescue.
Haymarket Police Chief Al Seibert told the Town Council that 2025 has brought a noticeable uptick in police activity — not just in volume, but in the complexity of the calls officers are handling.
We have our winners! Potomac Local News is excited to announce the recipients of free tickets to Next to Normal at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts.
The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is your destination for all arts and culture activities in Northern Virginia. Find a concert, play, poetry reading, or exhibition in your neighborhood—many events are free and family-friendly!
Are you part of a performing arts group, school, or cultural organization? You can add your events and classes, too. The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is free and easy to use.
Your attendance at local arts events supports small businesses in our community and the art makers who help make Fairfax and its surrounding region so vibrant. With the ArtsFairfax Events Calendar, you can stay curious and stay local to plan your next arts adventure!
Go Ape, America’s leading aerial adventure park provider, is proud to unveil a revitalized experience across its iconic Zipline & Adventure Parks. This refresh goes beyond physical upgrades; it reflects a renewed mission to foster meaningful connections between people, nature, and self.
“Go Ape has always been about thrilling treetop adventures,” says Chrissy Very, Senior Director of Marketing. “Now, we’re redefining what it means to truly connect: through purpose-driven outdoor experiences that inspire courage, reflection, and joy.”
As access to public outdoor spaces becomes more limited, Go Ape steps in to bridge the gap with immersive, inclusive, and wellness-focused adventures for individuals, families, and groups.
Christmas in July
Volunteer Prince William will be holding a fun-filled Christmas in July event at Heritage Brewing Co on July 26th from 12pm until 6pm with all proceeds going to support the 2025 Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket Program. Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
