Note: This is not a real letter, (I made it up) but given what happened this weekend with the new Express Lanes in Virginia, the message behind it is.
Dear Washington DC/Northern Virginia residents and drivers,
This past Saturday my selfishness caused an accident on the Beltway. As part of my sentence, the judge asked me to write this letter.
Around 8 am, with clear driving conditions, I was driving west towards Tysons Corner. After passing under I-395, I noticed the signs for the new Express Lanes. I also noticed everyone in front of me was in the other regular lanes.
But I confess, I kept going in the left lane and tried to get over at the last minute. I thought I could squeeze in but I hit a car. I do this a lot whenever I see an empty lane, but no one taking it. I also drive fast down turn lanes then get over at the last minute.
I apologize for my actions and would like to add that I noticed some news reports that blamed the accident on confusion.
The sign and lay out of the Express Lanes are not confusing. The company worked hard and put up a lot of signs, and got the word out.
In closing, I would like to ask drivers who don’t pay attention to signs, to please do so. Also, I think the Commonwealth of Virginia should get with the program, and like Maryland and DC, ban the use of cell phones. Even if they don’t, we should all pay attention to driving and not our handheld devices.
Again, the accident was my fault on no one else’s.
Sincerely,
An irresponsible driver who has vowed to do better on the roads
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