I've been running back and forth from Alexandria to Reston everyday since the lanes opened in November, Monday-Friday by myself and have NEVER gotten a ticket. I see a policeman on the side of the road about once a week but, they haven't stopped me.

The cops have no idea whether the ezpass is registering paid or HOV. He is just ticketing speeders.

My dumbass accidently got on coming from the toll road to 495s but immediately got off at the next exit once I realized my mistake (gallows I think it was?)

2 weeks later, got a ticket in the mail for $12.35- .35 cents for the toll and a $12 "fine". They sent a clear as day picture of my tags so I couldn't deny it.

They DO check, maybe you just lucked out somehow??

$12 fine for HOV violation?!

http://www.nbcwashington.com/traffic/transit/Driver-Slapped-With-225-Bill-After-Using-495-Express-Lanes-183239002.html

HOV runner Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> $12 fine for HOV violation?!


I don't even have an ezpass at all- I guess the $12 fine was for that?

Lane Myer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've been running back and forth from Alexandria
> to Reston everyday since the lanes opened in
> November, Monday-Friday by myself and have NEVER
> gotten a ticket. I see a policeman on the side of
> the road about once a week but, they haven't
> stopped me.

You havent updated your address and there are several hundred dollars in fines waiting in your old mailbox

"I've been running back and forth from Alexandria to Reston everyday since the lanes opened in November, Monday-Friday by myself and have NEVER gotten a ticket."
You seem a bit proud and a little smug that you're breaking the law and seemingly getting away with it. What other really cool stuff do you do that you just can't wait to brag about...cheat on your taxes, shoplift, kill someone? Gee, maybe your mailbox has a Good Citizenship Award instead of a bunch of tickets, huh?!

You tell him ZeroP!

HOV runner Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.nbcwashington.com/traffic/transit/Drive
> r-Slapped-With-225-Bill-After-Using-495-Express-La
> nes-183239002.html


16 times!?!? They should fine her twice that.

Lane Myer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've been running back and forth from Alexandria
> to Reston everyday since the lanes opened in
> November, Monday-Friday by myself and have NEVER
> gotten a ticket. I see a policeman on the side of
> the road about once a week but, they haven't
> stopped me.


Can't wait until you get a little gift in the mail. Yes, they are watching.

* void Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lane Myer Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I've been running back and forth from
> Alexandria
> > to Reston everyday since the lanes opened in
> > November, Monday-Friday by myself and have
> NEVER
> > gotten a ticket. I see a policeman on the side
> of
> > the road about once a week but, they haven't
> > stopped me.
>
>
> Can't wait until you get a little gift in the
> mail. Yes, they are watching.


If the OP has an EZ "Flex" Pass and has is set to the HOV mode then he will not have to worry about getting a gift in the mail. The technology to monitor who is using the HOV option has not been made available to State Troopers yet. So his free ride will continue!

WTF???? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> If the OP has an EZ "Flex" Pass and has is set to
> the HOV mode then he will not have to worry about
> getting a gift in the mail. The technology to
> monitor who is using the HOV option has not been
> made available to State Troopers yet. So his free
> ride will continue!


I think that was the point of the original post.

I find it funny how 'Lane Myer' neglects to comment past here. I call fake on this one.

@mo money. - All of my contact information is current and up to date with the proper authorities.

@zero personality - I'll gladly pay any fine that is levied on me for improper use of the Express Lanes. The cost would be worth it to me when balanced against the time I am saving on my commute. I started the thread to highlight the fact that the Express Lanes as a revenue generator are failing due to a lack of enforcement.

@ShirlingtonRebel - You go ahead and make your call...but, you're wrong...again.

Still unclear to me how the cops know whether is it on HOV flex or on the toll setting. Seems impossible to know.

You don't need a HOV to drive in the Express Lanes. You can do it solo, you just pay for it. I drive in the Express Lanes all the time with my Easy Pass. I also drive 80-85mph and can get from Alexandria to Tysons in less than eight minutes.

Love it.

@HOV Runner: They don't...that's the point. I've got my transponder in the HOV position and if they stop me, they stop me and I'll process the fine associated with my "hideous felony" online before the officer of record is off his shift.

There have been some rumors of some infrared cameras that were not installed on the gantries due to cost but, allegedly once revenue has been generated they'll be installed later. In the meantime...it's free.

I have 2 work vehicles that I got a bill for a .35 cent toll on each one. Each one carried a $12 service charge. I didn't open these bills immediately because I had just bought a transponder for my car and I thought it was for that. Soon after I got a bill for $25 for each vehicle. Long story short, I lost those invoices and forgot about it. i just got a bill from a collection agency for $200 for my original 70 cents in tolls. I called and they said if I don't pay I will get my license suspended and reported to the credit bureaus. Is this true? Nice scheme they have going either way.

Buttscrewed Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have 2 work vehicles that I got a bill for a .35
> cent toll on each one. Each one carried a $12
> service charge. I didn't open these bills
> immediately because I had just bought a
> transponder for my car and I thought it was for
> that. Soon after I got a bill for $25 for each
> vehicle. Long story short, I lost those invoices
> and forgot about it. i just got a bill from a
> collection agency for $200 for my original 70
> cents in tolls. I called and they said if I don't
> pay I will get my license suspended and reported
> to the credit bureaus. Is this true? Nice scheme
> they have going either way.

The moral of the story: Pay attention and pay your bills on time.

The express lanes aren't HOV...

They're free (no toll) for HOV-3...

I was on an errand with my two kids in their carseats. I passed a trooper who was laser checking my speed. She pulled me over and when she saw the two kids, said "You're good" and let me go. She said the cameras in the overhead gantry saw my empty passenger seat. What a pain in the ass. Maybe I need a dash board sign that says "2 kids onboard" or something.

The Troopers aren't there to check if you have an EZ Pass, because that's automated.

They do stop speeders, people who go 40 mph, and tractor trailer drivers who somehow thought they could get away with it.

Chanterelle Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Troopers aren't there to check if you have an
> EZ Pass, because that's automated.
>
> They do stop speeders, people who go 40 mph, and
> tractor trailer drivers who somehow thought they
> could get away with it.

Trust me the Troopers are not stopping people who go 40 mph unless they are impeding traffic or obviously texting and driving!

Everyone should be trying to cheap the Shitty-Pass lanes since they put them in against the overwhelming majority of people who opposed giving tax dollars to an Austrailian firm to build something which NO ONE uses.

Also, there are numerous police sitting around eating donuts while zapping people with radar for speeding. I would go as far to say about 90% more cops on the Express lanes than the beltway.

Please leave any tips or tricks on ways that you have used to circumvent the checks on the Express lanes.

they are too complicated for northern virginians to understand!

you can ride solo - it's a toll lane! HOV-3 dont have to pay. HAHAHA!!!

anyone getting a fine is because they are not paying the toll!

now if you had teh HOV expass (which registers but doesnt charge you) and were riding alone and a cop happened to see you you would get a ticket.

don't worry I will enjoy the traffic free lanes while all the idiots around here sit in traffic. best $1.15 i spend a day!

here one that everyone should look out for;

received a violaton letter, appealed the viloation - the 495express replied my transponder not in correct position, bit the kicker the reponse was send to a yahoo mail account. It looks like it went into the spam folder which is set to delete spam once a week -effectively did not receive the mail [how many people really check their spam folders] - never received a snail mail letter, or phone call, did receive one letter from a collection agency for $100 for the violation.

my suggestion is to get together and start to fight this proceedure, 1- there is no real appeal process if something goes wrong, missing e-mail no phone call or other response to violation once appeal, two when the 495express starts to have financial problems, make sure that the start does not bail them out.

Buttscrewed Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have 2 work vehicles that I got a bill for a .35
> cent toll on each one. Each one carried a $12
> service charge. I didn't open these bills
> immediately because I had just bought a
> transponder for my car and I thought it was for
> that. Soon after I got a bill for $25 for each
> vehicle. Long story short, I lost those invoices
> and forgot about it. i just got a bill from a
> collection agency for $200 for my original 70
> cents in tolls. I called and they said if I don't
> pay I will get my license suspended and reported
> to the credit bureaus. Is this true? Nice scheme
> they have going either way.

Scheme? Seems to me if you had opened your mail and then not lost it, you wouldnt be in this spot. How is you being stupid a scheme by the authorities?

harry Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> here one that everyone should look out for;
>
> received a violaton letter, appealed the viloation
> - the 495express replied my transponder not in
> correct position, bit the kicker the reponse was
> send to a yahoo mail account. It looks like it
> went into the spam folder which is set to delete
> spam once a week -effectively did not receive the
> mail [how many people really check their spam
> folders] - never received a snail mail letter, or
> phone call, did receive one letter from a
> collection agency for $100 for the violation.
>
> my suggestion is to get together and start to
> fight this proceedure, 1- there is no real appeal
> process if something goes wrong, missing e-mail no
> phone call or other response to violation once
> appeal, two when the 495express starts to have
> financial problems, make sure that the start does
> not bail them out.

I'm confused...so you drove the ExpressLanes solo with the transponder in the HOV position and they claimed to have caught you doing this? How is that possible? Did a trooper pull you over? Did they send you a camera image? Are they using IR cameras now?

Cases have definitely been heard in the fairfax courthouse for people driving in Express Lanes with EZ-Flex set to HOV without 3 people in car. Not sure the technology but it has happened.

Googoodada Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Cases have definitely been heard in the fairfax
> courthouse for people driving in Express Lanes
> with EZ-Flex set to HOV without 3 people in car.
> Not sure the technology but it has happened.

This is the Internet...do you have a link, perhaps?

Eg case number GT13101443. I will try to find the one I watched a trial for. Girl plead not guilty and had trial. was found guilty. Had only 2 people in car.

topmason Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Eg case number GT13101443. I will try to find the
> one I watched a trial for. Girl plead not guilty
> and had trial. was found guilty. Had only 2 people
> in car.

Um, ok...can you give us some play by play between the defendant, the judge and the officer? You said you were there...

I am certain the state police do have some kind of equipment to tell what position the switch is in.

I got a ticket for this a few months ago. I was driving along with the switch in hov position and passed a cop along with a pack of other cars. The cop pulled me over and immediately asked to see the transponder and said it was in the wrong position. He must have had some device to ping it himself, as there wasn't any other reason to single me out.

ticketed Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ...said it was in the wrong
> position. He must have had some device to ping it
> himself, as there wasn't any other reason to
> single me out.

The gantry system pings it and reports to the cop. It's not trivial to accurately side read the transponders at 60-70mph anywhere near the accuracy as the gantry readers. Otherwise, why put up those expensive gantries to read the transponders if it could effectively be done from the sides?

Could you have reached up and put it in the "right" position w/o him seeing? I'm curious as to what would happen if you had. It's what the system is telling him against his observation. What does he do? Radar calibration certificates hold up in court. How does the transponder reading system hold up?

jim143 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ticketed Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > ...said it was in the wrong
> > position. He must have had some device to ping
> it
> > himself, as there wasn't any other reason to
> > single me out.
>
> The gantry system pings it and reports to the cop.
> It's not trivial to accurately side read the
> transponders at 60-70mph anywhere near the
> accuracy as the gantry readers. Otherwise, why
> put up those expensive gantries to read the
> transponders if it could effectively be done from
> the sides?
>
> Could you have reached up and put it in the
> "right" position w/o him seeing? I'm curious as
> to what would happen if you had. It's what the
> system is telling him against his observation.
> What does he do? Radar calibration certificates
> hold up in court. How does the transponder
> reading system hold up?

You're doing 65mph...at least because that's the speed limit. The trooper will be at a stop. A Crown Vic Interceptor does 0-60 in what...10 seconds? So, I'm guessing you have at least 30 seconds from the time he turns on his lights and hits the gas for you to see him in your rear view and put the transponder back on the non-HOV.

As Jim says...it's all about what the system tells him against his observation and of course...how you behave or don't. If you give him a, "Hey, fuck you it's not in HOV!" you'll get a ticket on principle and you should.

If however you give him a, "Well, there you go officer...it's in the non-HOV position. I don't know what to tell you."

Of course, if you're in a two-seater...you're fucked.

jim143 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ticketed Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > ...said it was in the wrong
> > position. He must have had some device to ping
> it
> > himself, as there wasn't any other reason to
> > single me out.
>
> The gantry system pings it and reports to the cop.
> It's not trivial to accurately side read the
> transponders at 60-70mph anywhere near the
> accuracy as the gantry readers. Otherwise, why
> put up those expensive gantries to read the
> transponders if it could effectively be done from
> the sides?
>
> Could you have reached up and put it in the
> "right" position w/o him seeing? I'm curious as
> to what would happen if you had. It's what the
> system is telling him against his observation.
> What does he do? Radar calibration certificates
> hold up in court. How does the transponder
> reading system hold up?


The thing is it seemed like the overhead reader must have reported the car/transponder registration information to the cop, so he knew who to pull over. It must not be simply the tower saying "hey some random car just went by with the transponder in HOV mode."

the cop took off after 4 or 5 cars had passed and then caught up. At first he was behind another car in the left lane then he shifted over to get behind me in the right lane. He definitely seemed to know which car to pull over.

I had made a mistake, therefore I didn't attempt to change the switch position once he pulled me over. (I didn't read the instructions and had incorrectly thought the switch needed to be in HOV mode to drive in the 495 lanes.) I pre-paid the ticket.

HOV'er Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> jim143 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > ticketed Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > ...said it was in the wrong
> > > position. He must have had some device to
> ping
> > it
> > > himself, as there wasn't any other reason to
> > > single me out.
> >
> > The gantry system pings it and reports to the
> cop.
> > It's not trivial to accurately side read the
> > transponders at 60-70mph anywhere near the
> > accuracy as the gantry readers. Otherwise, why
> > put up those expensive gantries to read the
> > transponders if it could effectively be done
> from
> > the sides?
> >
> > Could you have reached up and put it in the
> > "right" position w/o him seeing? I'm curious
> as
> > to what would happen if you had. It's what the
> > system is telling him against his observation.
> > What does he do? Radar calibration
> certificates
> > hold up in court. How does the transponder
> > reading system hold up?
>
> You're doing 65mph...at least because that's the
> speed limit. The trooper will be at a stop. A
> Crown Vic Interceptor does 0-60 in what...10
> seconds? So, I'm guessing you have at least 30
> seconds from the time he turns on his lights and
> hits the gas for you to see him in your rear view
> and put the transponder back on the non-HOV.
>
> As Jim says...it's all about what the system tells
> him against his observation and of course...how
> you behave or don't. If you give him a, "Hey, fuck
> you it's not in HOV!" you'll get a ticket on
> principle and you should.
>
> If however you give him a, "Well, there you go
> officer...it's in the non-HOV position. I don't
> know what to tell you."
>
> Of course, if you're in a two-seater...you're
> fucked.


Anyone know what frequencies those things operate on? I wonder if the frequency can be effectively spot jammed...

ticketed Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> jim143 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > ticketed Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > ...said it was in the wrong
> > > position. He must have had some device to
> ping
> > it
> > > himself, as there wasn't any other reason to
> > > single me out.
> >
> > The gantry system pings it and reports to the
> cop.
> > It's not trivial to accurately side read the
> > transponders at 60-70mph anywhere near the
> > accuracy as the gantry readers. Otherwise, why
> > put up those expensive gantries to read the
> > transponders if it could effectively be done
> from
> > the sides?
> >
> > Could you have reached up and put it in the
> > "right" position w/o him seeing? I'm curious
> as
> > to what would happen if you had. It's what the
> > system is telling him against his observation.
> > What does he do? Radar calibration
> certificates
> > hold up in court. How does the transponder
> > reading system hold up?
>
>
> The thing is it seemed like the overhead reader
> must have reported the car/transponder
> registration information to the cop, so he knew
> who to pull over. It must not be simply the tower
> saying "hey some random car just went by with the
> transponder in HOV mode."
>
> the cop took off after 4 or 5 cars had passed and
> then caught up. At first he was behind another
> car in the left lane then he shifted over to get
> behind me in the right lane. He definitely seemed
> to know which car to pull over.
>
> I had made a mistake, therefore I didn't attempt
> to change the switch position once he pulled me
> over. (I didn't read the instructions and had
> incorrectly thought the switch needed to be in HOV
> mode to drive in the 495 lanes.) I pre-paid the
> ticket.

How much was the ticket?

With three people in the car. I took the 495 express lane which said HOV3+ No Toll. I have no transponder. I got a ticket in the mail for $14.45.

I disputed it and lost.

Following up on the story that i saw a case in fairfax court for hov violators on express lanes. It was a female defendant and she plead not guilty. Her story went like this, she said she was unfamiliar with the settings on the new device and had it accidently in the HOV setting. the officer testified that he sees a light on the unit. I think the light must be infared or somethinng because i see nothing online that shows a unit with a light and i bet the battery life would run out fast if it had one. cop said he pulled up and she had only two people in car. plain and simple. the judge said she had a expass plus also and any fool could work it without mistake and then found the lady guilty.

heypmason Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Following up on the story that i saw a case in
> fairfax court for hov violators on express lanes.
> It was a female defendant and she plead not
> guilty. Her story went like this, she said she was
> unfamiliar with the settings on the new device and
> had it accidently in the HOV setting. the officer
> testified that he sees a light on the unit. I
> think the light must be infared or somethinng
> because i see nothing online that shows a unit
> with a light and i bet the battery life would run
> out fast if it had one. cop said he pulled up and
> she had only two people in car. plain and simple.
> the judge said she had a expass plus also and any
> fool could work it without mistake and then found
> the lady guilty.

Thank you for that information.

This is a perfectly good use for this forum. Let's keep this thread updated as new information becomes available. If I get popped, I'll pay the fine but I'd like to understand the enforcement techniques so, I can be prepared...

heypmason Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Following up on the story that i saw a case in
> fairfax court for hov violators on express lanes.
> It was a female defendant and she plead not
> guilty. Her story went like this, she said she was
> unfamiliar with the settings on the new device and
> had it accidently in the HOV setting. the officer
> testified that he sees a light on the unit. I
> think the light must be infared or somethinng
> because i see nothing online that shows a unit
> with a light and i bet the battery life would run
> out fast if it had one. cop said he pulled up and
> she had only two people in car. plain and simple.
> the judge said she had a expass plus also and any
> fool could work it without mistake and then found
> the lady guilty.

The cop is lying. He can see a light that you can't? There's no light and I will easily verify the infrared story. But that's doubtful due to battery issues as well as he'd need a device to detect the IR light since he wouldn't be able to see it. Mine would be on 24/7 if it's true. How long could the battery last? The cop appears to have used that to establish probable cause for the stop but it seems unnecessary since the system alerting him is enough for that. Bottom line is the cop can make up anything and you are on the spot to logically dispute it right there or you're guilty. It's not the court's job to verify the cop's testimony, it's your attorney's job--or you if you're quick enough. Assuming the cop isn't going to lie is what catches people off guard in court and they end up losing what would otherwise be an easy argument.

To "HOV 3", I know you know this now but it doesn't matter if there's no toll for HOV3+. You must have a transponder regardless or you get a bill in the mail.

I suspect the cop gets an alert in his car along with an image of the plate of the offending car. The only defense one has at that point is to surreptitiously move the switch to where it should be and act stupid when the cop shows up.

That would be a lot of effort for the police to fabricate all that, risk integrity and job, just to get a small fine and no points on the a record of a driver of a road they probably do not want to police anyway. The poster said the defendant was confused about the HOV setting so presumably she admitted in court that it was in the wrong spot. That may have been the biggest mistake since then they have admitted they were driving with two people in the car and the switch set to HOV.

Also found this.

Dear Dr. Gridlock:

The new E-ZPass Flex that you described has got to be the stupidest arrangement I have ever heard of. It will rely on the honor system of someone flipping a switch that claims three people in the car?

The same people who get onto HOV lanes 15 minutes before they are allowed? The same people running red lights? And how are police patrols supposed to see whether there are really three people in a car going 55 mph? And is there any money for increased police patrols?

* * * * * * * *

The Flex transponder exists to help with enforcement. The toll gantry in the express lanes will pick up the signal from the transponder indicating the driver is claiming a free trip as a carpooler. It will display a signal that state police can see, so they can focus on that vehicle to make sure that at least three people are aboard. The troopers — operating under a contract between the state and the express lanes operator — also will have a device that allows them to pick up the signal directly from the transponder, so enforcement can be done while the troopers are parked or driving.

Street Avenger Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That would be a lot of effort for the police to
> fabricate all that, risk integrity and job, just
> to get a small fine and no points on the a record
> of a driver of a road they probably do not want to
> police anyway.

It's just a ticket, not a major trial. It was no effort for the Vienna cop to lie in court when I contested a ticket. Who's going to prove they're lying? And who is the judge going to believe?

HOV 3 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> With three people in the car. I took the 495
> express lane which said HOV3+ No Toll. I have no
> transponder. I got a ticket in the mail for
> $14.45.
>
> I disputed it and lost.

The HOV Express lanes are not for cars that actually have 3 people in them. They are for people with the special transponder who set them to HOV no matter how many people they have in the car. What is confusing?

DrGridlock Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Also found this.
>
> Dear Dr. Gridlock:
>
> The new E-ZPass Flex that you described has got to
> be the stupidest arrangement I have ever heard of.
> It will rely on the honor system of someone
> flipping a switch that claims three people in the
> car?
>
> The same people who get onto HOV lanes 15 minutes
> before they are allowed? The same people running
> red lights? And how are police patrols supposed to
> see whether there are really three people in a car
> going 55 mph? And is there any money for increased
> police patrols?
>
> * * * * * * * *
>
> The Flex transponder exists to help with
> enforcement. The toll gantry in the express lanes
> will pick up the signal from the transponder
> indicating the driver is claiming a free trip as a
> carpooler. It will display a signal that state
> police can see, so they can focus on that vehicle
> to make sure that at least three people are
> aboard. The troopers — operating under a
> contract between the state and the express lanes
> operator — also will have a device that allows
> them to pick up the signal directly from the
> transponder, so enforcement can be done while the
> troopers are parked or driving.

Here's a scenario I've posted to both Doctor Gridlock and 495ExpressLanes.com. Neither has responded.

A full-size SUV (which rides higher than a trooper's CrownVic) enters the ExpressLanes with the transponder in the HOV position. There is a driver and 2 kids in their carseats in the backseats and the windows on the middle-row seating doors are tinted (which VA permits).

As the SUV enters the ExpressLanes, the trooper is alerted that their is a vehicle with the transponder in the HOV position and I'm sure there's a license plate matched to it on his screen so they know which is which. Now, I don't dispute anything Dr. Gridlock has said above nor what the ExpressLanes website has stated...enforcement of HOV on the ExpressLanes is VSP's responsibility.

What no one has responded to is...in the above scenario, how can the trooper at 65mph or more, maintain control of his own vehicle and visually inspect a car which is reported to have the transponder in the HOV position? The dirty little secret is...he can't, not without pulling the vehicle over.

I've taken the lanes 3 to 4 times a week in both directions since they opened at various times of the day, night, week and or weekend. I haven't seen a single motorist pulled over in the ExpressLanes. A recent report by the Post indicated only 8% of total ExpressLanes users drive with the transponder in the HOV position. It is clear that they are living with the potential for revenue loss to HOV scofflaws until the infrared cams can be installed...

NOVA Commuter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> DrGridlock Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Also found this.
> >
> > Dear Dr. Gridlock:
> >
> > The new E-ZPass Flex that you described has got
> to
> > be the stupidest arrangement I have ever heard
> of.
> > It will rely on the honor system of someone
> > flipping a switch that claims three people in
> the
> > car?
> >
> > The same people who get onto HOV lanes 15
> minutes
> > before they are allowed? The same people
> running
> > red lights? And how are police patrols supposed
> to
> > see whether there are really three people in a
> car
> > going 55 mph? And is there any money for
> increased
> > police patrols?
> >
> > * * * * * * * *
> >
> > The Flex transponder exists to help with
> > enforcement. The toll gantry in the express
> lanes
> > will pick up the signal from the transponder
> > indicating the driver is claiming a free trip as
> a
> > carpooler. It will display a signal that state
> > police can see, so they can focus on that
> vehicle
> > to make sure that at least three people are
> > aboard. The troopers — operating under a
> > contract between the state and the express
> lanes
> > operator — also will have a device that
> allows
> > them to pick up the signal directly from the
> > transponder, so enforcement can be done while
> the
> > troopers are parked or driving.
>
> Here's a scenario I've posted to both Doctor
> Gridlock and 495ExpressLanes.com. Neither has
> responded.
>
> A full-size SUV (which rides higher than a
> trooper's CrownVic) enters the ExpressLanes with
> the transponder in the HOV position. There is a
> driver and 2 kids in their carseats in the
> backseats and the windows on the middle-row
> seating doors are tinted (which VA permits).
>
> As the SUV enters the ExpressLanes, the trooper is
> alerted that their is a vehicle with the
> transponder in the HOV position and I'm sure
> there's a license plate matched to it on his
> screen so they know which is which. Now, I don't
> dispute anything Dr. Gridlock has said above nor
> what the ExpressLanes website has
> stated...enforcement of HOV on the ExpressLanes is
> VSP's responsibility.
>
> What no one has responded to is...in the above
> scenario, how can the trooper at 65mph or more,
> maintain control of his own vehicle and visually
> inspect a car which is reported to have the
> transponder in the HOV position? The dirty little
> secret is...he can't, not without pulling the
> vehicle over.
>
> I've taken the lanes 3 to 4 times a week in both
> directions since they opened at various times of
> the day, night, week and or weekend. I haven't
> seen a single motorist pulled over in the
> ExpressLanes. A recent report by the Post
> indicated only 8% of total ExpressLanes users
> drive with the transponder in the HOV position. It
> is clear that they are living with the potential
> for revenue loss to HOV scofflaws until the
> infrared cams can be installed...

It seems obvious to me at least that the trooper would just pull it over and if there are in fact 3 people, tell them sorry and let them go. That is the same thing that happens now on other HOV roads.

I'm interested in the infrared camera reference. Is there any official statement they plan to install these? If so could you please furnish links? I'm interested in conducting some experiments and think it would be fairly easy to defeat.

When the infrared goes in so will the seat warmers, heating mats, heat lamps (with spinning gyro meat?) and other devices to defeat them.

Counter-counter-measures.

Seeing a lot more State Troopers with the EZPass readers mounted in the rear windows. They also have the license plate cameras on the trunk as well. Next it will be Google glasses when they walk up to you.

Obey the law!

yamm Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> NOVA Commuter Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > DrGridlock Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Also found this.
> > >
> > > Dear Dr. Gridlock:
> > >
> > > The new E-ZPass Flex that you described has
> got
> > to
> > > be the stupidest arrangement I have ever
> heard
> > of.
> > > It will rely on the honor system of someone
> > > flipping a switch that claims three people in
> > the
> > > car?
> > >
> > > The same people who get onto HOV lanes 15
> > minutes
> > > before they are allowed? The same people
> > running
> > > red lights? And how are police patrols
> supposed
> > to
> > > see whether there are really three people in
> a
> > car
> > > going 55 mph? And is there any money for
> > increased
> > > police patrols?
> > >
> > > * * * * * * * *
> > >
> > > The Flex transponder exists to help with
> > > enforcement. The toll gantry in the express
> > lanes
> > > will pick up the signal from the transponder
> > > indicating the driver is claiming a free trip
> as
> > a
> > > carpooler. It will display a signal that
> state
> > > police can see, so they can focus on that
> > vehicle
> > > to make sure that at least three people are
> > > aboard. The troopers — operating under a
> > > contract between the state and the express
> > lanes
> > > operator — also will have a device that
> > allows
> > > them to pick up the signal directly from the
> > > transponder, so enforcement can be done while
> > the
> > > troopers are parked or driving.
> >
> > Here's a scenario I've posted to both Doctor
> > Gridlock and 495ExpressLanes.com. Neither has
> > responded.
> >
> > A full-size SUV (which rides higher than a
> > trooper's CrownVic) enters the ExpressLanes
> with
> > the transponder in the HOV position. There is a
> > driver and 2 kids in their carseats in the
> > backseats and the windows on the middle-row
> > seating doors are tinted (which VA permits).
> >
> > As the SUV enters the ExpressLanes, the trooper
> is
> > alerted that their is a vehicle with the
> > transponder in the HOV position and I'm sure
> > there's a license plate matched to it on his
> > screen so they know which is which. Now, I
> don't
> > dispute anything Dr. Gridlock has said above
> nor
> > what the ExpressLanes website has
> > stated...enforcement of HOV on the ExpressLanes
> is
> > VSP's responsibility.
> >
> > What no one has responded to is...in the above
> > scenario, how can the trooper at 65mph or more,
> > maintain control of his own vehicle and
> visually
> > inspect a car which is reported to have the
> > transponder in the HOV position? The dirty
> little
> > secret is...he can't, not without pulling the
> > vehicle over.
> >
> > I've taken the lanes 3 to 4 times a week in
> both
> > directions since they opened at various times
> of
> > the day, night, week and or weekend. I haven't
> > seen a single motorist pulled over in the
> > ExpressLanes. A recent report by the Post
> > indicated only 8% of total ExpressLanes users
> > drive with the transponder in the HOV position.
> It
> > is clear that they are living with the
> potential
> > for revenue loss to HOV scofflaws until the
> > infrared cams can be installed...
>
> It seems obvious to me at least that the trooper
> would just pull it over and if there are in fact 3
> people, tell them sorry and let them go. That is
> the same thing that happens now on other HOV
> roads.
>
> I'm interested in the infrared camera reference.
> Is there any official statement they plan to
> install these? If so could you please furnish
> links? I'm interested in conducting some
> experiments and think it would be fairly easy to
> defeat.

What is the point of paying the premium to use the ExpressLanes with your kids in the backseat meaning you qualify for the HOV exemption yet you have to be STOPPED by the police so they can visually inspect your vehicle? Granted, it will take all of 5 seconds for them to look and you're back out there but, as a parent myself while I don't use the above scenario myself, if I did this would be a huge inconvenience to know this possibility of an un-justified traffic stop.

Regarding the infrared-cameras...I believe there were some links posted here on other previous F.U. ExpressLane threads going back to when the construction announcement was made. I will research and post them again here...

Basically, when the project was being put together Fluor, the contractor, quoted a price to Virginia of an additional $750,000 to install infrared-cameras on the gantries to assist with HOV enforcement. The gantry sensors would read a transponder in the HOV position and that would trigger the I-R cams to read the vehicle's passenger heat signatures to insure compliance. I don't recall if the process is completely automated to the extent that a fine letter is generated to the offender OR if there'd be personnel reviewing the images before generating the fine letter.

Virginia declined the I-R cam installation saying they wanted to get revenue generation underway and then have them installed later. Of course, Fluor responded that the price quoted was predicated on being part of the overall project...if they had to come out again at a later date and install the I-R cameras, then the price would increase.

This is not unlike when the flyovers were built as part of the Mixing Bowl project in Springfield and the contractor recommended to Virginia that de-icing technology be installed as those elevated roadways would ice sooner then ground level roadway and be very treacherous. Of course, Virginia declined to save money and then we had that ice/sleet storm on the night of the primary election. They were all kinds of accidents on the way home, traffic was backed up for miles and many people were unable to get to the polls in time.

im wondering why at the end of the express lanes i never see anyone use the 395 north HOV exit from the non express 495 outer loop lanes. the sign clearly says open to all traffic and there are no barriers or solid lines . just simply a dotted white line . but i never see anyone move to the left lanes and jump on HOV 395 north

Try this: next time you pass under a gantry in HOV mode, look in your mirror (without running off the road) and you will notice a light flash above the readers. The light can be seen by VSP when they are camped out. Non-HOV, no light. Non-EZ-pass, get picture taken as you pass under the gantry.

IR cameras cannot see through auto glass or a well insulated, modern car. I don't see how the cameras could work unless you're in a convertible with the top down.

Right. It just tells VSP what the switch is set to and it is up to them to look in your car when you go by for the number of passengers. No IR yet. No magic.

Ummmmm - it only says open to all traffic outside of rush hours and when the HOV lanes are open going north. When the HOV lanes are going south, the NB gates close and the SB gates open. With the same restrictions. I use this ramp when I take the motorcycle into work.

IR Guy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> IR cameras cannot see through auto glass or a well
> insulated, modern car. I don't see how the
> cameras could work unless you're in a convertible
> with the top down.

Perhaps the civilian world doesn't have access to them but...they do exist and they can do it from MUCH further away than a few feet up a gantry on a highway...

Bin Laden Slayer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> IR Guy Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > IR cameras cannot see through auto glass or a
> well
> > insulated, modern car. I don't see how the
> > cameras could work unless you're in a
> convertible
> > with the top down.
>
> Perhaps the civilian world doesn't have access to
> them but...they do exist and they can do it from
> MUCH further away than a few feet up a gantry on a
> highway...


No, they do not. Try and find one IR image, military or civilian, of a closed, modern car in which you can distinguish the heat signatures of the occupants.

IR Guy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bin Laden Slayer Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > IR Guy Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > IR cameras cannot see through auto glass or a
> > well
> > > insulated, modern car. I don't see how the
> > > cameras could work unless you're in a
> > convertible
> > > with the top down.
> >
> > Perhaps the civilian world doesn't have access
> to
> > them but...they do exist and they can do it
> from
> > MUCH further away than a few feet up a gantry on
> a
> > highway...
>
>
> No, they do not. Try and find one IR image,
> military or civilian, of a closed, modern car in
> which you can distinguish the heat signatures of
> the occupants.

You fucking mope...not everybody that works for the Federal Government disregards the rules in Snowden-like fashion. There's a reason those images aren't available for public consumption on the Internet and it's not because they don't exist...

It has to work. I saw it used in several recent movies.

perhaps it won't be an IR system at all.

X-rays?
Gamma rays?
Cosmic rays?
Manta rays?
Devil rays?

After all, what's a few rads when it comes to the free flow of cash to Australia?

It's kind of silly to speculate about what might or might not theoretically be possible with classified military technology. If the technology is classified, it is off the table as far as what is available to the owners of the express lanes.

How about posting a non-classified IR image of a closed, modern car where you can distinguish heat signatures of the occupants? That is what we are interested in.

If they ever install such cameras, it could become easier to elude the tolls as the police come to rely on the cameras and spend less effort trying to peer into windows to discern the number of occupants.

Once the camera technology is in place it should be relatively easy to develop counter-measures to defeat it. One can foresee a possible future market for child-size heated dummies, designed to simulate the heat signature if not necessarily the visual appearance of a human. Add some insulation to the headliner and insulating film on the windows to obfuscate things, and you're literally home free.

OH OH. OP's about to get a nice $3K gift in the mail. 5 months = 200 trips @ $2 bucks each plus $13 fee for each trip.

Bin Laden Slayer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> IR Guy Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Bin Laden Slayer Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > IR Guy Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > IR cameras cannot see through auto glass or
> a
> > > well
> > > > insulated, modern car. I don't see how the
> > > > cameras could work unless you're in a
> > > convertible
> > > > with the top down.
> > >
> > > Perhaps the civilian world doesn't have
> access
> > to
> > > them but...they do exist and they can do it
> > from
> > > MUCH further away than a few feet up a gantry
> on
> > a
> > > highway...
> >
> >
> > No, they do not. Try and find one IR image,
> > military or civilian, of a closed, modern car
> in
> > which you can distinguish the heat signatures
> of
> > the occupants.
>
> You fucking mope...not everybody that works for
> the Federal Government disregards the rules in
> Snowden-like fashion. There's a reason those
> images aren't available for public consumption on
> the Internet and it's not because they don't
> exist...


Whatever super secret classified military technology you are referring to is simply not IR based. No matter how sensitive or sophisticated the device is on the receiving end, the IR radiation from the source cannot pass through auto glass or the insulated body of a car.

5 months running and it looks like this high priced Express Lane project is a huge bust. Doubt it will break even on what it cost to make in the near future, I see about 20 cars on it during my morning rush through Tysons.Great time saver for those 20 cars though! :)

Lane No Worry Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> OH OH. OP's about to get a nice $3K gift in the
> mail. 5 months = 200 trips @ $2 bucks each plus
> $13 fee for each trip.

You would think so, wouldn't you? And yet, here I sit...with my transponder in the HOV position, driving the ExpressLanes solo day fater day after day...and I haven't paid a dime...

correct when it says open to all traffic on HOV 395 north . i never see anyone from 495 take this exit. why is this?

you know him Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> correct when it says open to all traffic on HOV
> 395 north . i never see anyone from 495 take this
> exit. why is this?

I've taken that exit but it was a special trip when I was heading downtown in the morning, not commuting. Perhaps there aren't many people who want to go directly from the Beltway to the Pentagon or DC.

Driving at night on the express lanes (I have an old transponder/ non HOV) I have seen brief red flashes above the lane when a car in front of me goes through. It's very brief and at the very top. I am guessing the red means OK cause I didn't see any get pulled over. Maybe a different light color goes off or no color goes off and that's how the state police know, again total conjecture.

I live in Richmond but was in Arlington 5/21/13 laying my Father in law to rest at Arlington National Cemetary and have a EZ Pass transponder and still got a fine. I disputed it but was told no recourse was available. I paid the initil $25.65 fine, then I recieved a letter from a collection agency for $100.65 so I paid that and was told they would refund the $25.65. Well they cashed that check too so I called this morning to get my original $25.65 back and was told she would flag my case and a supervisor would call me with 3 days.
Really? All for a .65 toll my transponder didn't pick up? As far as I am concerned it's a racket. You guys can keep it!

Dadcpu Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I live in Richmond but was in Arlington 5/21/13
> laying my Father in law to rest at Arlington
> National Cemetary and have a EZ Pass transponder
> and still got a fine. I disputed it but was told
> no recourse was available. I paid the initil
> $25.65 fine, then I recieved a letter from a
> collection agency for $100.65 so I paid that and
> was told they would refund the $25.65. Well they
> cashed that check too so I called this morning to
> get my original $25.65 back and was told she would
> flag my case and a supervisor would call me with 3
> days.
> Really? All for a .65 toll my transponder didn't
> pick up? As far as I am concerned it's a racket.
> You guys can keep it!


You sir have been scammed! Forgetting the fact that the express lanes is on 495, not 395. 395 has NO ezpass readers

Dadcpu Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You guys can keep it!

Says he of the Pocahontas Parkway (895), Powhite Parkway (76), and the Downtown Expressway (195)! All tolled roads with EZPass! People in glass tollways should not throw stones!

Granted, I think most of these have tollbooths. I've never traveled 895 (and apparantly neither has anyone else) so I can't speak for it.

Also, as the poster above said, there is no toll (yet) on 95/395 so umm...something's wrong.

Condolences for your father, though.

so if its infored heat sensor Ill just turn on the ass warmers on my rear seat and I can pass it under HOV mode?

mr Xx Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> so if its infored heat sensor Ill just turn on
> the ass warmers on my rear seat and I can pass it
> under HOV mode?

While the proposed IR cams that will eventually go up on the gantries won't give you a vivid picture of what precisely the individuals in the vehicle actually look like...they will identify a general shape so, they'll be able to tell the difference between an actual adult person sitting in the vehicle versus a dog, a child or in your case the seat heater simply being in the on position.

NOVA v. Richmond Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dadcpu Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I live in Richmond but was in Arlington 5/21/13
> > laying my Father in law to rest at Arlington
> > National Cemetary and have a EZ Pass
> transponder
> > and still got a fine. I disputed it but was
> told
> > no recourse was available. I paid the initil
> > $25.65 fine, then I recieved a letter from a
> > collection agency for $100.65 so I paid that
> and
> > was told they would refund the $25.65. Well
> they
> > cashed that check too so I called this morning
> to
> > get my original $25.65 back and was told she
> would
> > flag my case and a supervisor would call me with
> 3
> > days.
> > Really? All for a .65 toll my transponder
> didn't
> > pick up? As far as I am concerned it's a
> racket.
> > You guys can keep it!
>
>
> You sir have been scammed! Forgetting the fact
> that the express lanes is on 495, not 395. 395
> has NO ezpass readers

We all went to dinner after the service to Essays Carriage House. When we left there we got on 495 towards Braddock Rd.
And thank you for your condolences.

Road Musings Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dadcpu Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You guys can keep it!
>
> Says he of the Pocahontas Parkway (895), Powhite
> Parkway (76), and the Downtown Expressway (195)!
> All tolled roads with EZPass! People in glass
> tollways should not throw stones!
>
> Granted, I think most of these have tollbooths.
> I've never traveled 895 (and apparantly neither
> has anyone else) so I can't speak for it.
>
> Also, as the poster above said, there is no toll
> (yet) on 95/395 so umm...something's wrong.
>
> Condolences for your father, though.


While it is true we have all of those tollways, I have not personally traveled on 895. I have also since the inception of the EZPass system ever gotten a ticket for the transponder not working either. As I explained to the other poster his assumption that we were on 395 is incorrect. While we did travel from Braddock Rd to 495 to 395 for the service we left Arlington and took the family to Essays Carriage house for dinner afterwards.
When we left Essays we got on 495 to go back to Braddock Rd. I incorrectly thanked him/her for the condolences so I thank you now :)

to answer the question:
Yes I did have a transponder, however the tansponder was mismounter, [fell of window previous day, was on dashboard] the picture they sent clearly shows that, ok my mistake, 496express clearly stated that since the transponder was not in the correct position, I was in violation. However when I said I pay the fine, the lady replaied they cannot help me since it was already sent to a collections agency due to time, I asked about the e-mail, and why I never received a letter about the my appeal being denied, she responded since I responded via e-mail, they response was only via e-mail, thusly no letter. Anyhow a few days latter, I received a letter from the collections agency, and of course the fine is now +100.
The problem is getting the correct information from 495expass people and from law enforcement collections agency. When I asked about the $100, they responded it a collections fee, Ok looked up the US collections law, found that a collection agency cannot add fee unless you agree to it.
Well you do by just using the express lanes.

I found a website the someone stated about 495expree lanes, and 395/95 express lanes, it has some of the links needed to fight a ticket. Also has a blog function

wwww.net495.com

Hey OP... budgets are tight and EZPASS is looking for revenue. Hope this is you.

NBC4-Virginia Man Drives Up $200,000 Tab on Dulles Toll Road
Paying tolls on your daily commute is a drop in the ocean compared to the E-ZPass bill one Virginia man drove up by ignoring them.

Jason Bourcier doesn't deny that he rode the Dulles Toll Road nightly without paying for his commute from Reston to Washington three-and-a-half years ago when he was looking for work.

A friend told him that when the toll booths were unmanned after 11:30 p.m., you could use the road without paying. His friend was wrong.

This week, VDOT took Bourcier to court because his bill had ballooned from $440 to more than $200,000, including late fees and interest. They reached a settlement and agreed on a payment plan.

“They provided me with a stack of summonses that was 12 inches high, and me and my lawyers, the best that we could do was $40,000,” he said. “Another kicker is they put me on a payment plan for $150 a month.”

At that rate and with interest due -- another $55,000 -- Bourcier, who is 33 and now has a good job, figures he will be 87 years old by the time he pays VDOT back.

"The lesson learned is to work with us if you don't have a transponder or the cash to pay a toll,” said a statement from VDOT. “Don't wait and don't ignore the notices."

Bourcier said he has learned two lessons from this.

“One would be for state legislature to take another look at the fines and fees that they are assessing the taxpayers,” he said. “The other would be for me, and that would be don’t mess with E-ZPass."

So until you get over $200,000 in unpaid tolls they do not do anything to collect?

Stinger. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So until you get over $200,000 in unpaid tolls
> they do not do anything to collect?


I can't wait for all you "smarter than thou" morons to get all those bills. Idiot fucks.

A-hole -> () o Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey OP... budgets are tight and EZPASS is looking
> for revenue. Hope this is you.
>
> NBC4-Virginia Man Drives Up $200,000 Tab on Dulles
> Toll Road

A fucking car payment for the rest of your life. Eat a motherfucking dick that sux.

267 didn't have to have cameras monitoring at all until some bitch spoke up and said the exact same thing. "I drive it all the time and never get a ticket. I don't think they really have cameras." They didn't, but now they do.

I watched this news story about Mr. Bourcier. Dude drives a big ass black Cadillac Escalade. Probably has a hefty car payment, not to mention the $20/day in gas he burns driving into DC every day.

Hint: sell the giant SUV and buy a 2005 Honda Civic. Your wallet will thank you.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/20/toll-road-scofflaw/3656901/ finally makes this make some sense: $500/pop fines. And the guy seemed to think that if he just let it ride, the state would decide to cut him a break. That's like saying "Well, I robbed ONE bank, but if I rob a dozen more and THEN get caught, they'll probably just give me probation".

This guy is a "financial consultant"?! Not someone I'd trust my money to...

A-hole -> () o Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey OP... budgets are tight and EZPASS is looking
> for revenue. Hope this is you.

Nope. It wasn't me. This happened on the Dulles Toll Road. I cheat the 495 Express Lanes.

However...

I'm pleased to report that I just passed one year of using the 495 Express Lanes for free. I went the full length, twice per day, 5 days a week for the last year. I put the transponder in the HOV position. I don't pay my tolls. I don't get stopped by law enforcement. I have put HOURS back on my life this past year by not sitting in traffic with you fucking mopes. Until they install thermal cameras on the gantries? They are...never...going...to...stop me. Thanks, Australia!

Wow, I read someone got on it by accident and got off at the next exit and got a ticket in the mail..That happened to me exactly the same way and for the same amount...was like 35 or 45 cents but the ticket fine was 12 dollars. I have no idea how the original poster has gotten away with it over and over when the the person above mentioned and I made a mistake ONCE and got off right away and got tickets in the mail...amazing

Lane Meyer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> I'm pleased to report that I just passed one year
> of using the 495 Express Lanes for free. I went
> the full length, twice per day, 5 days a week for
> the last year. I put the transponder in the HOV
> position. I don't pay my tolls. I don't get
> stopped by law enforcement. I have put HOURS back
> on my life this past year by not sitting in
> traffic with you fucking mopes. Until they install
> thermal cameras on the gantries? They
> are...never...going...to...stop me. Thanks,
> Australia!


That's what I said.

Really? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wow, I read someone got on it by accident and got
> off at the next exit and got a ticket in the
> mail..That happened to me exactly the same way and
> for the same amount...was like 35 or 45 cents but
> the ticket fine was 12 dollars. I have no idea how
> the original poster has gotten away with it over
> and over when the the person above mentioned and I
> made a mistake ONCE and got off right away and got
> tickets in the mail...amazing

It's because he has a flex transponder. You simply put in on the HOV mode and you are all set to ride for free.

Jason Bourcier Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lane Meyer Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > I'm pleased to report that I just passed one
> year
> > of using the 495 Express Lanes for free. I went
> > the full length, twice per day, 5 days a week
> for
> > the last year. I put the transponder in the HOV
> > position. I don't pay my tolls. I don't get
> > stopped by law enforcement. I have put HOURS
> back
> > on my life this past year by not sitting in
> > traffic with you fucking mopes. Until they
> install
> > thermal cameras on the gantries? They
> > are...never...going...to...stop me. Thanks,
> > Australia!
>
>
> That's what I said.

Again...what you did? You did on the Dulles Toll Road. What I'm doing? I'm doing on the 495 Express Lanes. Two different roads...two different toll collection models...with two VERY different infrastructures.

If I'm ever pulled over, I'll put the switch on the transponder back in the non-HOV position before the officer brings me to a stop and shrug...

He only owed at least a few hundred up to a couple thou in tolls but ignored all the bills and notices until the tacked on fees and interest racked up to $200,000. That's how it happens.

yougo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You tell him ZeroP!

Yeh. Like you want to be proud of this. going to tell your kids how to do it and set a fine example for them and add to society and promote the gene pool?

A-hole -> () o Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey OP... budgets are tight and EZPASS is looking
> for revenue. Hope this is you.
>
> NBC4-Virginia Man Drives Up $200,000 Tab on Dulles
> Toll Road
> Paying tolls on your daily commute is a drop in
> the ocean compared to the E-ZPass bill one
> Virginia man drove up by ignoring them.
>
> Jason Bourcier doesn't deny that he rode the
> Dulles Toll Road nightly without paying for his
> commute from Reston to Washington three-and-a-half
> years ago when he was looking for work.
>
> A friend told him that when the toll booths were
> unmanned after 11:30 p.m., you could use the road
> without paying. His friend was wrong.
>
> This week, VDOT took Bourcier to court because his
> bill had ballooned from $440 to more than
> $200,000, including late fees and interest. They
> reached a settlement and agreed on a payment
> plan.
>
> “They provided me with a stack of summonses that
> was 12 inches high, and me and my lawyers, the
> best that we could do was $40,000,” he said.
> “Another kicker is they put me on a payment plan
> for $150 a month.”
>
> At that rate and with interest due -- another
> $55,000 -- Bourcier, who is 33 and now has a good
> job, figures he will be 87 years old by the time
> he pays VDOT back.
>
> "The lesson learned is to work with us if you
> don't have a transponder or the cash to pay a
> toll,” said a statement from VDOT. “Don't wait
> and don't ignore the notices."
>
> Bourcier said he has learned two lessons from
> this.
>
> “One would be for state legislature to take
> another look at the fines and fees that they are
> assessing the taxpayers,” he said. “The other
> would be for me, and that would be don’t mess
> with E-ZPass."


Nope it wasn't me, not sure WHY you would hope it would be? At least I see where you got your name. I paid it, life goes on and I don't use the tollroad. Because I was coming back from burying my FIL it kinda struck me wrong that they would gouge me like that. Oh well, it's christmas and I am over it. Everyone have a safe and happy holiday!!!!

Was pulled over today with an ezpass flex. Asked what I did wrong? Had no idea since I just got the thing. Told the cameras and sensor caught me using the pass with the switch turned to HOV 3 when I was alone. Wasn't trying to get away with anything, just didn't educate myself enough on the importance of the switch position. Slapped me with a $125 ticket for "failing to obey HOT-3". Also told the responder was going to charge me as if I entered at 66. Ok with the later, but the former is BS. I have the pass! It is not like I am trying to drive on the express without a way to charge me. If the system can do what he says (I.e. Detect the switch in the wrong position based on the photo image and charge me anyway, then why the tickets!?!

Landmarkguy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Was pulled over today with an ezpass flex. Asked
> what I did wrong? Had no idea since I just got
> the thing. Told the cameras and sensor caught me
> using the pass with the switch turned to HOV 3
> when I was alone. Wasn't trying to get away with
> anything, just didn't educate myself enough on the
> importance of the switch position. Slapped me
> with a $125 ticket for "failing to obey HOT-3".
> Also told the responder was going to charge me as
> if I entered at 66. Ok with the later, but the
> former is BS. I have the pass! It is not like I
> am trying to drive on the express without a way to
> charge me. If the system can do what he says
> (I.e. Detect the switch in the wrong position
> based on the photo image and charge me anyway,
> then why the tickets!?!

Where you fucked up was...

Once you were aware you were being pulled over? ALWAYS check the position of your transponder just as a matter of course. If it's in the HOV position, obviously you'll want to switch it back BEFORE stopping your vehicle.

When the officer walks up to your car and confirms it's an HOT/HOV violation that he's pulling you over, just shrug and say, "I don't know what the problem is, officer...as you can see the switch is in the non-HOV position...must be a malfunction."

Ain't shit they can do...assuming you don't throw the switch under the toll-gantry where the camera would catch you doing so.

This moron is likely the source of the latest news story. Fuck you, hope they get you for every dime.

Lane.Myer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> Where you fucked up was...
>
> Once you were aware you were being pulled over?
> ALWAYS check the position of your transponder just
> as a matter of course. If it's in the HOV
> position, obviously you'll want to switch it back
> BEFORE stopping your vehicle.
>
> When the officer walks up to your car and confirms
> it's an HOT/HOV violation that he's pulling you
> over, just shrug and say, "I don't know what the
> problem is, officer...as you can see the switch is
> in the non-HOV position...must be a malfunction."
>
> Ain't shit they can do...assuming you don't throw
> the switch under the toll-gantry where the camera
> would catch you doing so.

Lane,

We all know cops have cameras now. Video would cleary show someones arm reaching up and sliding the switch over. Whats the fine for lying or misleading a PO? You may want to look into that before you proceed with your little plan.

kev Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lane,
>
> We all know cops have cameras now. Video would
> cleary show someones arm reaching up and sliding
> the switch over. Whats the fine for lying or
> misleading a PO? You may want to look into that
> before you proceed with your little plan.

When you pass that cop at 65 (more like 70), at what point will his video catch you switching the transponder when you see him pull out and chase you starting from a few hundred feet back? And then if you have a tinted or no back window?

Thank you, "HOV ON Mode"...it's always nice to have fans backing me up, here.

Kev, the speed limit on the 495 Express Lanes is 65. I typically set the cruise control between 70-75. My rear window is indeed tinted. The ONLY way a trooper is going to see me reaching up and changing the switch on my transponder is if I wait until I've come to a stop, the trooper has gotten out of his car and has begun to approach me. As soon as I see a trooper's lights in my mirror, THAT is when I'm changing the switch. Yes, he has a dash cam and yes he has eyes...neither will enable him to witness me changing the switch through a tinted window. At 70-75 miles an hour, even if I come to a quick stop we're still going to be a half mile to three quarters of a mile down the road from where he was sitting before he would be within acute visual range to see my movements.

The only scenario where they might see me reaching up is if they use a helicopter for spotting and then radio down to a cruiser in advance of my current position. Or one cruiser for spotting and radioing ahead to another cruiser again in advance of my position. I likely wouldn't know I'm being pulled over until I approached the cruiser ahead of me and the trooper would be out of his car waiting for me and would be able to see me and my movements through a non-tinted window. But, that scenario is unrealistic at this point...In 15 months now of using the 495 Express Lanes solo, 5 times a week, round-trip having paid no tolls and not having received any tickets, fines, bills, court summonses, or collection notices I have NEVER seen more than one trooper at a time on the 495 Express Lanes. They typically like to hang out on the outer-loop side of the lanes between Route 50 and I-66 around Merrifield.

I also read a statistic that said the Australians are really encouraging people to carpool and otherwise pile into the same vehicle in order to use the 495 Express Lanes for free. People using their transponders in the HOV position (and thus getting access to the lanes with no toll) legally or not account for LESS THAN 8% of all 495 Express Lane trips.

I have no doubt my free reign on the lanes will eventually end. They'll come up with the cash finally to install the lauded infrared-cameras which will prevent anyone from further exploiting the loophole and I say, good for them. The installation of the cameras will be public knowledge both through the media and to the naked eye as we will see activity around the gantries and "new devices" even if we don't know precisely what and when it's all going to happen. But, at this point 15 months (and counting) of solo, free use of the lanes has saved me a great deal of money and a great deal of time. Neither of which Australia or the Commonwealth of Virginia will ever take back from me.

"They'll come up with the cash finally to install the lauded infrared-cameras which will prevent anyone from further exploiting the loophole..."

Don't worry too much about that. Studies done in Atlanta have shown that IR cams, even with bright IR flashes lighting the subjects, can't see through baby shades stuck to the side windows (and some tinting, but that's probably too dark to be legal in Va anyway). It will still be up to the cops to visually catch people cheating HOV by using the wrong transponder setting if Transurban can't see into your back seat.

Dear Lane.Myer,

Please stop misleading people.

I got a ticket when using HOV mode and driving by myself(which was an honest mistake) The overhead EZ pass readers do send the information to Police officers(VA State Trooper in my case) who are waiting further down the road. I was told that by the officer and the official 495 express lanes website explains that clearly.

https://www.495expresslanes.com/faqs See the FAQ about Enforcement.

Don't take a chance and follow the rules.

Of course, paying a private and a foreign company(Transurban-Austrailia which owns and maintains 495 express lanes) doesn't make drivers happy but our state leadership and officials have made the decision(Stupid one, IMHO) and we have to live with it. Upon doing further reading, I found out that it is believed that VDOT is prohibited by contract from improving other alternative roads which drives traffic away from Express lanes. What a Shame, if true and accurate.

Good news is that Transurban has yet to post profit from Express Lanes. I think Citizens should keep it that way and force them out of business. There are horrible stories about drives being hit with ridiculously high admin fees and fines for missed tolls, transponder malfunctions and other issues. Some People are considering Class Action Lawsuit as well.

http://pricefixer.blogspot.com/2013/06/ive-posted-about-i-495-express-lanes-on.html

Maybe someone should run a social media campaign against it. Maybe start a facebook page to oppose Transurban and privatization of public roads.

^^^ anon Transurban employee trying to get you to not cheat so they can turn a profit $$$$

Why do children count for HOV? It's no like they could be driving a separate car. It's similar to counting dogs as passengers.

Jk6NP Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why do children count for HOV? It's no like they
> could be driving a separate car. It's similar to
> counting dogs as passengers.

I have always wondered this too. Also elderly who can no longer drive and patients in an ambulance because they would obviously not be driving then.

I agree with you that if a family was killed in the HOV lanes due to a drunk driver or something that murder charges should not be filed on account of any victims not old enough to drive, only the adults that have a current license.

^^^
Sarcasm for the sarcasm-impaired.

Transurban with another shakedown, $10,000+ for eleven trips on expired credit card.

http://www.wtop.com/41/3630326/11-trips-on-495-Express-Lanes-10000

adriver Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Transurban with another shakedown, $10,000+ for
> eleven trips on expired credit card.
>
> http://www.wtop.com/41/3630326/11-trips-on-495-Exp
> ress-Lanes-10000

Nothing to do with misusing the HOV ON switch on the doo-dad. If she had the switch there, she would not be dealing with any of this now.

The problem I have with these HOT Lanes (and the upcoming lanes on 95/395) is that when the profits fall short of what is needed, ALL Taxpayers kick-in and pay Transurban.

The deal, as I understood, was if the lanes were expected to make 8 Million/yr. and they only make 2.5 Mil., then we (Taxpayers) have to pay the difference. It's guaranteed profits for Transurban for building the infrastructure.



Then, the next issue I have - and NOBODY Has been open about this, is about using the I-95 "HOV" Lanes during "NON HOV HOURS".

Currently, if not during set times, one can use the middle, reversible lanes if they are flying under the 3 in a car requirement. But does that change once the new gantries are in place?

Right now, if I am so inclined, I can drive on the center lanes from Springfield to DC (or as I frequently do, take the Pentagon/Crystal City exit), and as long as I am off the roadway by 6 AM, I am good... But will that end with the new lanes/configuration? I noticed the last gantry is strategically placed near Edsal Rd.

VDOT/Transurban have been silent on this, and last time I looked at their planning sites and FAQ sections, no mention of this was made.

Silently taking away your rights to free travel, one gantry at a time.

...in the 22039 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Then, the next issue I have - and NOBODY Has been
> open about this, is about using the I-95 "HOV"
> Lanes during "NON HOV HOURS".

I think I saw it on the website but if not, I'll bet it will be just like the 495 lanes: Toll unless you have 3 or more in the car. And you have to have the Flex transponder to take advantage of it regardless. The after-hours free use "party" of the HOV lanes on 95 is about to end.

When the HOT lanes are up and running next year, you will have to pay the toll from Springfield to Edsall road 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you have less than 3 people in your car. (You can avoid the toll by getting on the HOV lanes after Edsall Road. The HOV lanes will still be 3+ riders only from Edsall Road to the DC line and vice versa from 6:00AM - 9:00AM and 3:30PM - 6:00PM. Hybrids with special clean fuel tags can will still be able to use the HOV lanes at all times from Edsall Road to DC, but they will have to pay to use the HOT lanes from Springfield to Stafford.

Stabitha, I laughed so hard reading your response to Buttscrewed I was crying!

Folks, any advice? My son, in MD, with EZ Pass transponder, was taking a job related class last summer, held in Fairfax County for one week. The EZPass is in my name and I was in Europe. The funds must have run out, and later that summer, he gets a notice of 5 violations. For EZ Pass. I called the MD EZ Pass folks who said VA must not have recognized our transponder. He was in touch with the Fairfax Co folks who reviewed his case, and (they say now) called and left him a message on his cell phone to pay $148 to clear up the entire situation (that was about $900.)

Don't think he ever got the call. So, it went to collections and the courts that just (Aug 2014) sent him a court date with $10,000 in fines for not paying. Wouldn't they have to mail him a notice of that, as well, and not leave a voicemessage on a cell phone? And from 900 to !0,000? He has a nice job and his employers were sending him to a special personnel training class. My account on EA pass must have gone empty a few days because I returned soon after, and updated the account. This seems realllllly unfair.
Any advice? Get a lawyer and hope for a good judge?

I'm confused...

My EZ-Pass account automatically puts a charge on my credit card on file when my account balance gets low and I get an email notification of that transaction. Is VA saying your transponder wasn't reading when it was going through the tollbooth? If that's the case, I'd contact them about making a test run to confirm that or not...

But, to answer your question directly, local news has been littered with stories like this where people have racked up serious fines, penalties and collection fees related to EZPass. I think in some cases if there's an administrative error, they whittle down the total but you'll need a lawyer and a day in court to resolve that generally. But, when use of the tollways involved willful disregard of paying the toll...they setup payment plans to collect the ENTIRE amount. There was some dude a few months back that is on a 30 year payment plan.

Start making calls, start visiting the appropriate authorities and start logging date, time and who you talked to. Additionally, going forward make sure you have access to your EZPass account online and like any other online account involving money, logon and check the account on a monthly basis. Whether you have used the account (the transponder in this case) or not. Don't get surprised...mistakes happen frequently and they're not always your mistakes. The sooner you identify a problem, the sooner it can be resolved.

Did your son notice if the light turned green as he passed the booth or did the bell start ringing?

Lane.Myer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> I have no doubt my free reign on the lanes will
> eventually end. They'll come up with the cash
> finally to install the lauded infrared-cameras
> which will prevent anyone from further exploiting
> the loophole and I say, good for them.

Currently their in no infrared camera technology that can see through glass available for commercial usage. Even if they were able to procure the most advanced cutting edge military grade system ( if it was to even exist)it would only be a matter of turning on your defroster hot or cold to fog out any image data.

In this thread: A bunch of tards who don't realize the system records your switch setting when you enter. If you throw it to a different position later the system recognizes it. Have fun with your tickets!

Laughing at Tards Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> In this thread: A bunch of tards who don't realize
> the system records your switch setting when you
> enter. If you throw it to a different position
> later the system recognizes it. Have fun with your
> tickets!


Yup, so you enter in the lanes in HOV mode, you only switch it if you see VSP camping on the side. You pay the regular toll in this case.

Laughing at Tards Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> In this thread: A bunch of tards who don't realize
> the system records your switch setting when you
> enter. If you throw it to a different position
> later the system recognizes it. Have fun with your
> tickets!

Gee...you got me...WOW...I might have to pay ONE...ENTIRE...TOLL. Now...where WILL I get that money to pay?

Here's the thing...the HOT/495 Express Lanes opened in November 2012. We're quickly approaching 2 years that the lanes have been opened. Again, I reiterate...

That's two years, 5 days a week, two full length trips daily and...NOT ONE CENT IN TOLLS, NOT ONE TICKET, NOT ONE SUMMONS AND NOT ONE BILL. Short of a moving violation, speeding, an accident, my license plates expiring etc...please explain to me how VASP is going to spot that I am riding alone AND in violation of the HOV exemption when the trooper is sitting still and I am going AT LEAST 70 mph?

The enforcement of the HOV exemption is predicated on the honor system and the police in turn catching me or another motorist with fewer than 3 people in an otherwise HOV-classed vehicle. As long as he doesn't see me flip the switch and he won't as I have explained in my above posts...there's nothing he can do. Less than 7% of all trips on the HOT/495 Express Lanes are in fact taken under the HOV-exemption...but don't take my word for it, go to their website. They report out on this monthly and there's also a cumulative.

I'm DELIGHTED to potentially pay ONE TOLL for 2 years of cost-free use...so, as I'm pulling away from the aforementioned citation-less traffic stop...I'll gladly leave the switch in the "pay" position and rack up, what? A $3 toll? Done...where do I sign?

i never pay either... Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Laughing at Tards Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > In this thread: A bunch of tards who don't
> realize
> > the system records your switch setting when you
> > enter. If you throw it to a different position
> > later the system recognizes it. Have fun with
> your
> > tickets!
>
>
> Yup, so you enter in the lanes in HOV mode, you
> only switch it if you see VSP camping on the side.
> You pay the regular toll in this case.

No, you don't. Because the cop's transponder scanner will tell him your car entered HOV mode, and it'll alert him you've switched it. Good luck with that!

I don't know how the beltway does it, but on I95, the system records your setting on entry. The cop sits near one of the readers and has a laptop showing cars coming through, designated as HOV when they entered. The system will detect a changed state on the transponder. Bottom line, the cop will see a single in HOV car, and he will have an indication you changed the transponder. Enjoy that phat ticket.

I have also been taking the HOV lanes for years without paying, probably 8 trips per week. However, in the last two weeks, two different friends of mine have reported getting tickets for HOV violations! Does anyone know if they just installed the technology? This is terrible!!! One of the police officers told my friend that a light goes off in a certain color to show the police officers that the setting was set to HOV.

Again...the system relies on the gantry lights flashing a certain color and the trooper has to see this, acknowledge to himself it's the right color and then pull a driver over? It might...just might end up being a "phat ticket" but, balanced against the now YEARS of toll-free use...I'm still coming out ahead. Just the time saved ALONE is money in my pocket. Time at home with my family where a man belongs after putting in an honest day's work so that he can enjoy the fruits of that work together with those that he loves.

Also, there's a lot of nuance here...if you're running in the express lanes solo with the transponder in the HOV position, you have to be on your guard. You have to be scanning the shoulders and overpasses looking out for troopers. We already know based on the "flashing light" revelation that they have to be positioned just beyond the gantries in order to view the light to confirm the switch position. And indeed, there are some troopers' vehicles equipped with an antenna array on the side of their vehicles. This allows them to read transponders in real time. But, it's a small percentage of vehicles. In a given week, I only ever see one or two.

But, the trooper sitting near the backside of gantries watching the flashing lights? As I said...be on the lookout for these guys. Move to the furthest lane from the shoulder they're sitting on to increase their level of difficulty. (Generally, they prefer the left shoulder so travel in the right lane when you can...) And then watch your mirrors as you pass a stationary trooper...and EXPECT to be pulled over.

If you are anticipating all of this properly, you'll need to switch your transponder off of the HOV setting and IMMEDIATELY pull over to the shoulder BEFORE you cross under another gantry. The trooper will pull up behind you, you will have your window down, radio off and a pleasant disposition. You will then allow him to inspect your transponder and see that it is in the non-HOV position. I guess he could claim he "saw" you switch it. But, I wouldn't expect that from a trooper...only a county or city officer and they don't patrol the express lanes, only state troopers do. Having the max tint on your rear windows also increases the trooper's degree of difficulty.

I also read on another thread here a few weeks ago about troopers pulling over drivers with 2 kids in the backseat, meaning they qualify for the HOV exemption but the police are spot checking to be sure. So, it's the herd, mule, drug trafficking mentality. Thousands of trucks are sent over the border with illegal narcotics everyday...they can't stop them all. Some will get through.

Every tax paying citizen has ALREADY paid for the construction of these lanes and we're all entitled to use them without any additional tolls that...oh by the way, are going to Australia. The same Australia where the contractor hosted 54 representatives and staff members of the VA state legislature charged with making the decision on who the contractor would be on a fishing trip. Yeah...some fishing trip...

You have to have EZ pass to be in any express lane, period.

I am just wondering how would the cop find out I only have two people in my tinted van while have the EZ pass on HOV-3 mode?

Oh, by the way to everybody, according to aurhority, police cars traveling along with you have reader to identify if you have EZ pass, what type of EZ pass, and what mode the EZ pass it is in.

so I just got a hov violation ticket. my ezpass wasn't on HOV. However the officer pointed out that the HOV wasn't completely covered. Should I fight it or just pay the fine?

Thermal canera has been installed I495 inner loop just before Lee Hwy, at gantry in median part.

nobodycaresbut Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thermal canera has been installed I495 inner loop
> just before Lee Hwy, at gantry in median part.

Better add another layer of foil so they don't get more of your brain waves.

zero personality Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "I've been running back and forth from Alexandria
> to Reston everyday since the lanes opened in
> November, Monday-Friday by myself and have NEVER
> gotten a ticket."
> You seem a bit proud and a little smug that you're
> breaking the law and seemingly getting away with
> it. What other really cool stuff do you do that
> you just can't wait to brag about...cheat on your
> taxes, shoplift, kill someone? Gee, maybe your
> mailbox has a Good Citizenship Award instead of a
> bunch of tickets, huh?!

But you don’t understand. The rules don’t apply to this asshole; he’s much more important than the rest of us. He also cuts in line, makes old ladies stand on the Metro, and takes up two parking spaces to protect his 1998 BMW.

There've been thermal cameras up near Newington for about a year now on 395. I've scored easily 50 trips past them solo in HOV mode and haven't gotten a ticket so they clearly aren't turned on or don't work for shit.

Law Breaker Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There've been thermal cameras up near Newington
> for about a year now on 395. I've scored easily 50
> trips past them solo in HOV mode and haven't
> gotten a ticket so they clearly aren't turned on
> or don't work for shit.


I made 500,000 trips last week and no ticket. Couple times I was even the only person on a 3 seat bicycle and no ticket. Why do you dip shits pay to use the express lanes?