Virginia’s House of Delegates has passed legislation intended to punish drivers using the Dulles access road to skip out on paying tolls.
In a 53-43 vote, the chamber approved a measure to use cameras or license plate scanners to catch drivers evading toll booths on Route 267.
“This is an important bill. … This is something that is important to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority,” said the bill’s sponsor, Del. Tom Rust, R-Herndon. “All this bill is doing is giving them the tools to go after people who are using a road illegally and improperly.”
The airports authority, which operates the Dulles Toll Road and Washington Dulles International and Ronald Reagan National airports, said drivers often double back on the access road to avoid the tolls, $1 for two-axle vehicles at the main plaza and 75 cents at on- and off- ramps.
But critics said the bill would force some to defend their proper use of the access road, such as for pickup at the airport. Supporters of the bill said a time standard would ensure drivers legitimately using the road aren’t ticketed — the thinking being the longer it takes someone to exit the access road, the greater the likelihood of proper use.
Del. Bob Marshall, R-Manassas, said it could be a potential violation of the Fifth Amendment for a car’s owner to be forced to testify in court against the person using his vehicle.
Citing the potential reach of the bill, Del. Johnny S. Joannou, D-Portsmouth, said: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
Airport officials have said limiting access to the road would reduce violations in the high-occupancy vehicle lane. Drivers who use the road during rush hour are exempt from HOV regulations on Interstate 66, which feeds directly into the road. More than 1,100 drivers were given tickets for breaking access road laws in 2009, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
The first violation carries a $50 fine, and the second within the same year is $100. The bill calls for a $250 fine for a third violation within two years and $500 for subsequent violations.
William C. Flook contributed to this report.
