Accidentally used HOT lane with HOV setting on

[Anonymous]

It was just the bit by the Pentagon. I didn’t get pulled over. Am I safe on having some massive fine?

[Anonymous]

I would call them NOW and explain and pay. The people I've spoken to there are surprisingly nice and helpful. It's not the DMV.

[Anonymous]

do they have the IR cameras on 395? to detect the number of passengers

I'm aware of the one at the HOT lanes on 495

[Anonymous]

You may or may not get a letter. If you get a letter, it means you've been given your first warning. Don't stress about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:do they have the IR cameras on 395? to detect the number of passengers

I'm aware of the one at the HOT lanes on 495

They have IR cameras to check number of passengers? Wow

[Anonymous]

Worst case is an e-mail telling you that you committed a violation

https://dcist.com/story/20/11/17/technology-hov-lane-violators-cameras-virginia/

[Anonymous]

I did the drive a few times this summer, my wife and toddler sit in the back seat. We also have shades on the side windows, so you cant see in through the side windows.

Never got a warning or a letter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would call them NOW and explain and pay. The people I've spoken to there are surprisingly nice and helpful. It's not the DMV.

And don’t forget to spank yourself

[Anonymous]

I don't even understand what OP wrote, so what do I need to know next time I drive over there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did the drive a few times this summer, my wife and toddler sit in the back seat. We also have shades on the side windows, so you cant see in through the side windows.

Never got a warning or a letter.

Yeah, I drive my minivan to Richmond with my kids in back all the time. You can't see inside. I've never received a letter or warning so either they are not checking or they have some way to count people I am unaware of.

[Anonymous]

I think there is some type of (infrared maybe) where they can tell the weight of how many people in the car.

That said I have made the mistake probably 3-5 times and have never had anything happens. It kind of makes me want to do it, but I now have it switched over to paying mode. Even forgot to switch it back one time when I had my 2nd child in the car!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there is some type of (infrared maybe) where they can tell the weight of how many people in the car.

That said I have made the mistake probably 3-5 times and have never had anything happens. It kind of makes me want to do it, but I now have it switched over to paying mode. Even forgot to switch it back one time when I had my 2nd child in the car!

You’ve made the mistake several times but never got a warning or ticket yet still think they have some automated infrared camera system with weight detection to catch violators?

[Anonymous]

How would a weight calculator work? I use the HOT lanes commonly with my infant twins in car seats. All in it adds an 30 pounds tops. Less than groceries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there is some type of (infrared maybe) where they can tell the weight of how many people in the car.

That said I have made the mistake probably 3-5 times and have never had anything happens. It kind of makes me want to do it, but I now have it switched over to paying mode. Even forgot to switch it back one time when I had my 2nd child in the car!

You’ve made the mistake several times but never got a warning or ticket yet still think they have some automated infrared camera system with weight detection to catch violators?

Ok sorry - just checked with road safety DH and he said they are piloting heat sensors, but right now it's just the honer system. (Guess I was not using my full-on listening ears)

[Anonymous]

We’ve gotten a warning letter. DH zoned out and didn’t switch HOV off (honestly he just doesn’t understand or pay attention to the rules, which drives me crazy). Anyhow, we received a letter that said the device was used in HOV mode and it did not appear that there were 3 people in the car. I don’t remember the exact language used. It was just a warning.