Why are motorcycles allowed in some HOV lanes?
Motorcycles are permitted by federal law to use HOV lanes, even with only one passenger. The rationale behind allowing motorcycles to use HOV lanes is that it is safer to keep two-wheeled vehicles moving than to have them travel in start-and-stop traffic conditions. States can choose to override this provision of federal law, if they determine that safety is at risk.
若在 HOV 路段行驶,则可能被视为 HOV violation。根据维州交通部的说明,在 Hampton Roads HOV 路段每次 violation 罚款$100美元,而在 Norther Virginia 的 HOV 路段首次违反罚款$125美元;第2次违反罚款$250美元、扣3分;第3次罚$500美元、扣3分;第4次罚$1,000美元、扣3分。交通部网站未明确说明,但是根据 WTOP 的看,「第x次」是按照5年内、而不是1年内违反的次数来计算,引用 VA State Police Captain James DeFord 的原话来说,“$125 for the first offense; $250 for a second, [and] then a third in five years is $500, and a fourth in five-years is $1,000.”
例外情形:根据维州交通部的说明, I-495 环城高速(Beltway)以内的 I-66 HOV-2 路段,“Solo drivers have the option of paying a toll to use the lanes in the peak direction during rush hour periods” -- 也就是说单人驾驶可以付费使用 HOV 路段,并不算 violation,不用罚款和扣分。我在文章开头收到的账单,就是工作日(2017年12月21日)、inside Beltway、在 I-66 走了 HOV-2 路段,因为没有安装 E-ZPass Flex 并正确指示 HOV 状态,所以按照普通车辆收费了,但是不算 HOV violation!