I got one on 66 heading west. I do not drive on 66, I live in Fredericksburg and use 395/95, but it was July 2 holiday traffic, so I decided to take the "back way" to 29/15.
I entered 66 at the TR bridge, noted the signs that HOV runs from 4pm to 6:30 pm. It was 3:15 or so. By the time I got to the Beltway, it was 3:35. I was driving in the left lane. I crossed the bridge over the Beltway--ahead I saw a trooper's vehicle pulled over on the left shoulder under the Dunn Loring Metro station. I also noted a sign that the left lane was HOV restricted from 3 to 7. This being the first sign I saw (the one at the bridge was partially obstructed by construction equipment), I signaled to move left and completed the merge at the first diamond.
Now, statutorily, VDOT must "appropriately mark" with signs or other markers HOV restrictions. I was following the most recent sign (the one in Roslyn) that says HOV is from 4 to 6:30. I cannot follow a sign that is obstructed. When I observed the sign right before (0.1 mile) the trooper, I moved over.
I was not ignorant of the law...that is not my excuse. My defense is that it is the statutory responsibility of the Commonwealth Transportation Board and VDOT to "appropriately mark" this lane.
I am not a scofflaw on HOV--I religiously pick up slugs to drive HOV on 395/95. What do you think?

It was July 2?

ignorance of the law is no excuse, and there's no need to post this same shit story more than once

I am aware, FyxTC, that ignorance is no excuse; however, statutory negligence on the part of the Commonwealth may indeed be a defense. There is no need to curse.

It was on July 2, Thursday. The Federal holiday was July 3, Friday...

You seem to be an angry person, FyxTC...why such hostility?

Answered in other thread. Why did you ask the question twice?

Guilty as charged. Next?

Did he misspell "Rosslyn" in the other thread too?

Energyman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am aware, FyxTC, that ignorance is no excuse;
> however, statutory negligence on the part of the
> Commonwealth may indeed be a defense. There is no
> need to curse.
>
> It was on July 2, Thursday. The Federal holiday
> was July 3, Friday...


how many times have you seen a stop sign or speed limit sign completely grown over by bushes/trees? it's no excuse then either

Energyman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am aware, FyxTC, that ignorance is no excuse;
> however, statutory negligence on the part of the
> Commonwealth may indeed be a defense. There is no
> need to curse.
>
> It was on July 2, Thursday. The Federal holiday
> was July 3, Friday...


so why dont you take a picture of the sign in question, show that it is clearly blocked and bring that to court with you. If indeed its view is obstructed, then they should take the ticket away.

Kenny_Powers Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> so why dont you take a picture of the sign in
> question, show that it is clearly blocked and
> bring that to court with you. If indeed its view
> is obstructed, then they should take the ticket
> away.

With this occurring almost five months ago, I doubt the obstruction remains today.

A picture at the time may have been helpful.

We here in Fairfax look forward to spending your Fredricksburg cash. Come back and visit us soon now, y'hear? Take 66 anytime

Pay up, Obamanuts want the money to redistribute to others.

"I am not a scofflaw on HOV--I religiously pick up slugs to drive HOV on 395/95. What do you think?"

I think you're a dumbass.

We've debated this before, but you locals inside the Beltway don't seem to grasp that I-66 is an Interstate highway that should be there for everybody, not just locals who know about this arcane, unique HOV law and can plan ahead with that "slugging" shit. It's not a private road for local commuters, or at least it's not supposed to be. Most people assume that a driver's license (and payment of federal taxes) means they can drive on the interstates. The concept of an "HOV road" is not something that is ever taught in any Driver's Ed that I'm aware of. I got an HOV ticket because I was driving somewhere unfamiliar and was trying to navigate heavy, fast traffic.

I would bet that if I put up an official-looking sign saying "no purple cars" or something like that, 99% of drivers would not notice or obey it. I'd also bet that it's fundamentally impossible for a human to read every single road sign while driving through dense traffic. Most people simply go by the common rules of the road in the US.

pgens...

I reposted when I realized that the former thread had been inactive for a while. Thank you for your response.

Hey 496 (and fyxTC)...

Two quotes for you to ponder, my friend...

"Profanity is the last refuge of the inarticulate" and

"Profanity is the product of an unsophisticated mind."

"Profanity is the language of those who don't get HOV violations."

Energyman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What do you think?

It doesn't matter what I or anyone else here thinks. All that matters is what the judge thinks. Among the many disparate pieces of information on the ticket, you should find that one of the fields has a court date on it. I suggest you show up and make the same arguments to the judge.

All you're doing here is pissing into the wind and complaining about getting wet.

So you didn't NOTICE the gigantic 50'x100' sign stating the HOV restriction? Yes, in that case, I think you should go to court and fight it. That way, you'll have to pay court costs in addition to your HOV fine. More money for FFX. A fool and his money... Either way, it's pay up sucker

energyman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey 496 (and fyxTC)...
>
> Two quotes for you to ponder, my friend...
>
> "Profanity is the last refuge of the inarticulate"
> and
>
> "Profanity is the product of an unsophisticated
> mind."


Perhaps, but have you paid up yet dumbass?