THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 24, 1995 TAG: 9503230145
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 123 lines
In case you're like Dennis Mathew of Red Mill Farm, who wonders if the HOV-2 lanes are ever enforced, Road has some news for you.
First, Dennis called Road with this question, ``Why aren't they (HOV-2 lanes) enforced? It seems to be a lot of the speed demon types - single drivers - who are using it as a passing lane.''
Well, Dennis, according to the State Police, there are several HOV-2 offenders out there.
In 1994, the State Police issued 3,148 summonses for failure to adhere to the ``two or more in one car'' rule. That covers the HOV lanes on Route 44 and I-64.
Not all of these summonses were delivered by men in uniforms. Some were mailed to drivers after the police noticed only one occupant in a car in the HOV-2 lane and recorded the license plates.
So, in answer to Dennis' question, yes, the police are enforcing the HOV-2 concept. Just ask any of the 3,148 people who got summonses.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Tom Stangler, no address given. In reference to VDOT putting up the concrete barriers on I-64 around INDIAN RIVER ROAD to make a lane for the exit - I drive that every day and they do not need those barriers. I can't think of a good reason to put them out there; just to give a segregated lane for people to exit onto Indian River. A waste of taxpayer money.
RW: Those barriers serve a few purposes, Tom. They keep people out of lanes they're not supposed to be in and at the same time, protect the workers who are sandwiched between the traffic during construction.
Engineers obviously felt it would be more beneficial to separate the traffic flow.
Donna Howland, Kempsville. In reference to Gloria from Kempsville - she and I must be the only ones who can read a 25 mph school zone sign. The signs on Kempsville Road, at Kemps Landing School also serve Kempsville High School and Kempsville Elementary School.
The signs in front of Fairfield Elementary and Woodstock Elementary are also totally ignored by drivers.
I've had two drivers come up behind me and blow the horn while I am observing the 25 mph speed limit.
Where are the police during the morning and afternoon school zone times? It would be nice to see them working these areas to attempt to enforce the speed limit zone instead of seeing their vehicles parked at the bagel shop.
They don't get there until the zone time is almost over and I've never seen a police vehicle work these areas in the afternoon.
RW: Road has to admit, Donna, that I've never seen a cop around this area, mornings or afternoons. But, of course, that doesn't mean they haven't been there. They tend to lurk where you least expect them.
Anyway, Road also travels Kempsville Road on a semi-regular basis, and Road has noticed there are people like yourself and Donna who do conform to the 25 mph speed limit. But, again, all it takes is one idiot speeding to kill one of those precious kids. Maybe we can lean on our police department to get some of their guys out there when it's most crucial - during the mornings and afternoons.
Charlotte Parker, Virginia Beach. The left-hand turn lane from SOUTH LYNNHAVEN ROAD onto LYNNHAVEN PARKWAY is a major problem. There are people turning right from Lynnhaven Parkway onto South Lynnhaven and there are other people trying to get around to the McDonald's from South Lynnhaven by U-turning.
Sometimes the people on Lynnhaven Parkway do not stop and let those people make their U-turn to get into McDonald's there.
Are there any plans on fixing that? Are people looking into it because it's a real hazard and people are going to have an accident there shortly.
RW: Well, Charlotte, there are no major design flaws in this intersection so it's not likely anyone's ``looking into it.''
The city doesn't like to restrict U-turners if at all possible. Those turning left on a green arrow, to U-turn or turn, have the right of way.
Those turning right off Lynnhaven Parkway onto South Lynnhaven Parkway DO NOT have the right of way during the same time as the left-turners have the green light. Those right-turners should stop before they turn on red, meaning they have to stop and YIELD, even to the U-turners and pedestrians. If there is an accident there and Road's the U-turner, you can bet that the right-turner will be the one who pays for damages.
Pete Simpson, Virginia Beach. No. 1: I like your column. I think it's pretty good. Speed, and I mean the automobile kind, seems to be an obsession with some drivers down here. Where are they going? And why is it you always find them waiting for you at the red light, which they run nine times out of 10 anyway?
It's obvious that they can't read because stop doesn't mean anything to them, they can't spell, and they don't know what red means, which is stop. So, you know, these people need to wise up really. Thanks for listening. I appreciate it.
RW: Nice to see Road isn't the only one who thinks speeders are wasting their time - they're just making it to the light a second or two before those who aren't speeding.
Mike Hughes, Virginia Beach. I like what you're doing. Keep it up.
SOUTH WITCHDUCK, where the intersection of GRAYSON ROAD and GREENWICH meet - when you're trying to leave Grayson Road and exit onto North or South Witchduck, the traffic coming from Greenwich has a green light during the same time. They're not staggered times and it creates quite a hassle there.
The Greenwich Road light needs to be at a different time than the light for those on Grayson.
RW: The Route 44 ramp makes it difficult, if not impossible, to modify the signal in the manner you speak of. Although engineers agree that there is a problem, there's just no solution. However, engineers say they're continuing to look for opportunities to expand the signal's reach.
Mary Deardoff, Bray Road. I'd like for you to come out and check my road. My road, BRAY ROAD, is very narrow and cars can't get by.
We got city water, we are paying taxes, and I've been here 33 years and the road is like a country road. It's too narrow.
I'd like for you to come out and check it and see what can be done. Thank you.
RW: You're talking about Bray Road in Lynnhaven Acres, which fronts the Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven River, right? You folks don't have a real road down there? This is the first time Road's heard a complaint about it, but I'll be happy to pass on your concern to engineers. MEMO: Tell the Road Warrior about your motoring problems. Get 'em off your
chest. Call on Infoline, at 640-5555. After a brief message, dial ROAD
(7623). When directed, press 1 to deliver your message, and 1 again to
sign off.
Or, write: The Road Warrior, Virginia Beach Beacon, 4565 Virginia
Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va. 23462.
Don't forget to include your name, address and neighborhood.
by CNB