Police nab hundreds in HOV sting



Virginia State Police pull over drivers at an entrance ramp to Interstate 66 on Wednesday. (Gerald Martineau for The Washington Post)

Local and state police in Maryland and Virginia cited hundreds of drivers for violating HOV rules on Wednesday, authorities said.

The effort was part of the region's second "Capitol Region HOV Awareness Day."

The campaign yielded resulted in 713 citations for HOV violations:

-- First offense: 684

-- Second offense: 25

-- Third offense: 3 (Virginia)

-- Fourth offense: 1 (Virginia)

Under Virginia regulations, a first offense is $125; a second is $250, plus three points on your license; a third, $500, plus three points; and a fourth a whopping $1,000, plus three points. In Maryland the violations carry a $90 fine and one point.

Law enforcement also cited nine people for reckless driving and 68 for speeding. Additionally, authorities recorded 52 equipment violations; 53 inspection violations; 18 expired registrations; 24 drivers with revoked or invalid licenses; 10 drivers without licenses; 41 people who weren't buckled up; and two instances where children weren't properly fastened in a safety seat.

State police from Maryland and Virginia, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police and authorities from Fairfax and Arlington counties participated in the effort during morning and evening rush hours.