AT THE RISK of alienating my
This time, I'm not going to take sides; I'm just bringing this important information to commuters so they can make informed decisions about their daily journey to work.
Last week, the Virginia General Assembly passed bills to extend the existing HOV exemption for hybrid vehicles that was due to expire in July.
In addition to the hybrid-use extension, the bill also contains provisions for a cutoff of hybrid registrations.
To take advantage of the HOV-use extension, you must purchase a hybrid and apply for a Clean Special Fuel license plate before July 1. These plates will cost the hybrid owner an extra $25.
Those purchasing a hybrid after the July 1 deadline would be issued a distinctively different Clean Special Fuel plate and would not be permitted to use the HOV lanes during restricted hours unless they have two or more passengers.
That is a big change, so make sure you pay attention to those dates if you were thinking about buying a hybrid.
You know, they really missed the boat when they first came out with these hybrid vehicles.
They should have pulled a Henry Ford and offered them in any color as long as it was black.
That way, the police would have no problem spotting them in the HOV lanes and the folks who bought them would really have to want to save energy to buy one!
Then in July 2007, when the hybrid exemption expires, change the color to green--and poof, the problem of enforcement is solved.
It may sound too simple, but I didn't have a lot of time to work all the bugs out of the theory.
Back to the story I was writing. In addition to the hybrid rules, the bill also sets new fines for HOV violators.
Fines for first-time violations go from $50 to $125. A second offense will cost $250, a third offense will run $500 and if you are stupid enough to do it a fourth time it will cost you $1,000.
Don't forget, last year Virginia started adding points to a violator's driving record beginning with the third offense.
The reality is that hybrids are going to be in the HOV lanes for another year.
I know there is strong feeling on both sides as to why the HOV lanes get backed up, and I'm not sure what the real answer is.
However, the one thing I highly recommend is that we eliminate road rage as much as we can. Everyone is in a hurry, and stress is high.
Just back it down a notch or two when things are getting tight, and everyone will get where they are going safely.
MICHAEL KOLE of Spotsylvania County commutes to Alexandria. Write him c/o Commuter Crossroads, The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401. Or e-mail newsroom@freelance