Julian Walker
The Virginian-Pilot
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Federal transportation officials have rejected Virginia's request that uniformed active-duty military members be allowed to travel in HOV lanes in Hampton Roads even if they're driving alone.
Vehicles transporting only a driver aren't permitted in the high-occupancy vehicle lanes unless they meet specific criteria, the Federal Highway Administration noted.
The HOV lanes in Hampton Roads are along Interstate 264 and Interstate 64. During certain peak hours, use of the lanes is restricted to vehicles carrying more than one person.
Earlier this year, the General Assembly approved legislation that sought to carve out an exception for active-duty military members in uniform driving to and from a base or other facility.
Because federal money was used to build the HOV lanes, federal officials have authority over how they are used and whether to grant exceptions, a state transportation official explained.
"We have to find ways to get greater usage of HOV lanes in Hampton Roads," Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton said. "HOV lanes just haven't caught on in certain areas."
Dwight Farmer, executive director of the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization, was not surprised by the decision. "It would be prudent to ensure that we don't clog the HOV lanes because then we would lose the incentive for the general public to carpool, which is what HOV lanes are all about," Farmer said.
Even though the federal government has rejected Virginia's plan, state Sen. Jeff McWaters, R-Virginia Beach, said there is a "Plan B."
U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, the Republican whip from Virginia, has agreed to carry legislation in Congress that would override the highway administration's denial, said McWaters, who carried one of the HOV bills in the state legislature.
"It's a simple idea that can help our traffic and help military families, and it's something we ought to do," McWaters added.
An aide to Gov. Bob McDonnell struck a similar chord when asked about the federal rejection.
"This HOV exemption would have helped reduce congestion while providing active-duty military with a small measure of gratitude for their service to our country," spokeswoman Stacey Johnson wrote in an e-mail.
Some military motorists, apparently believing the law is in effect, have been pulled over and ticketed in the HOV lanes in Hampton Roads, said Sgt. Michelle Cotton, spokeswoman for the Virginia State Police.
HOV violations in Hampton Roads carry a $100 fine.
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com
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It was a dumb idea. If they
It was a dumb idea. If they were goint to open it, it should be open to everyone. How was the state police going to enforce non-military vehicles moving at 70 MPH in the dark morning hours? How could the trooper possibly tell whether a person was wearing a military uniform or a hunting outfit? Sorry. I have respect for the military, but this would be difficult to enforce.
lighten up
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men and women stand ready to do violence on their behalf. Yeah I modified the words a little. Some of us ought to pay attention to those words. Let's give the men and women in the military a break. Yes they are volunteers and they choose to serve, but they don't get to choose wether to go to war or which war to fight. Letting them use the HOV is really not that big a deal. Many of them cannot carpool because of their work schedules.
It was predictable!
As soon as anything is brought up that benefits our military folks...Let the bashings begin! Hey I got an idea!! Let's make it mandatory for everyone to do at least 2 years of military service for their country...
Because the military would never stand for it
The military is an elitist organization and the notion that EVERYONE could/should get in is counter to the junta's plan for the Military States of America.
Could you IMAGINE what would happen if they allowed in those who DON'T subscribe to the "military rules" notion?
Remeber Vietnam and the draft?
Hey, let's make military service mandatory?
Hey, let's not. People who choose to serve their country in a military capacity should not be granted more privileges than civilians who choose to serve their country outside the military. This is a no brainer. You don't have to be in the military to serve your country. Have you ever heard of nurses, teachers, firefighters, police officers,small business owners, mail carriers, clergy....? (and the list goes on....)
From my point of view...
..most of the area is a single traffic jam between the hours of 12:01 AM and 11:59 PM. There is no simple solution to the reasons traffic is so snarled along so many major thoroughfares- and I REALLY do wish it was that easy. Personally, I'd be happy with some species of tax added to one of my expenses if I could be absolutely sure it would go directly to building a highway, improving/increasing bus service, creating a feasible light rail system, or building a few new tunnels. The problem is this: I am not at all confident that any of my tax money will go for its advertised purposes. Instead, I believe that any and all extra money for transportation gets swallowed by excuses and bureaucracy. I often laugh when I hear people denouncing texting while driving- I think people would text less if we were actually moving on the highways instead of sitting in our parked cars.
Clearly
HOV lanes are there for a good reason of public policy, to encourage carpooling or multiple ridership, not to favor one group over another. Why ruin that?
The reality is the problem
The reality is the problem. It's a huge waste of money on rarely used lanes that could be used to speed up all the rest of the traffic. Having 5 people carpool at the expense of 1,000 people running their engines 20 minutes longer every day doesn't save any gas.
you know
it is already ruined, and has been from the start.
We have a VOLUNTEER MILITARY
I have no problem with businesses giving Military or Seniors benefits they don't give to the general public the costs come out of private business funds and private businesses have a right to charge what they want to any customer. But I am tired of the State and Cities extending special benefits to the military. While it may be the largest industry in the area, it is also now a career CHOSEN by it's members. They are VOLUNTEERS no longer draftees. They have no more right to use the HOV lanes as a one person vehicle than I do.