Cops always near 50/Annandale Rd? (Arlington, Fairfax: legal, safe, license plate)

[KM_W&M06]

I drive into Arlington from Fairfax on 50 and practically every other day I see a few Fairfax County cops pulling people over next to the access road by the 50/Annandale Rd intersection.

Just curious, anyone know why they are almost always there every morning? Seatbelt/car seat checks? I think a few times I might have seen those license plate scanners decked out on some of the cruisers.

[JD984]

Originally Posted by KM_W&M06

I drive into Arlington from Fairfax on 50 and practically every other day I see a few Fairfax County cops pulling people over next to the access road by the 50/Annandale Rd intersection.

Just curious, anyone know why they are almost always there every morning? Seatbelt/car seat checks? I think a few times I might have seen those license plate scanners decked out on some of the cruisers.

That intersection has frequently been in the top 10 in Fairfax County for traffic accidents and, since Route 50 is also a major commuting route, it seems the police may be trying to encourage safe driving.

[KM_W&M06]

Originally Posted by JEB77

That intersection has frequently been in the top 10 in Fairfax County for traffic accidents and, since Route 50 is also a major commuting route, it seems the police may be trying to encourage safe driving.

Interesting, did not know that.

Do you think they are also trying to deter the people who jump onto the access/residential roads after Graham Rd and speed down the street up to the car dealership?

I always wondered if it's legal to do that (sidestep the 50 traffic), similar to if you were to cut through a parking lot to skip a long stoplight. But I guess there are no stopsigns/lights until Annandale Rd on 50 so technically you're not avoiding a traffic control device?

[JD984]

Originally Posted by KM_W&M06

Interesting, did not know that.

Do you think they are also trying to deter the people who jump onto the access/residential roads after Graham Rd and speed down the street up to the car dealership?

I always wondered if it's legal to do that (sidestep the 50 traffic), similar to if you were to cut through a parking lot to skip a long stoplight. But I guess there are no stopsigns/lights until Annandale Rd on 50 so technically you're not avoiding a traffic control device?

I don't know, but it seems pretty clear that traffic entering and exiting the access roads contribute to this being a high-accident intersection/area. Without them, it wouldn't be much different than many other intersections along Route 50.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by KM_W&M06

Interesting, did not know that.

Do you think they are also trying to deter the people who jump onto the access/residential roads after Graham Rd and speed down the street up to the car dealership?

I always wondered if it's legal to do that (sidestep the 50 traffic), similar to if you were to cut through a parking lot to skip a long stoplight. But I guess there are no stopsigns/lights until Annandale Rd on 50 so technically you're not avoiding a traffic control device?

I've done that before--though never at rush hour. I would think it's legal as long as you stop at the stopsigns. I mean, you can legally get onto a side road and drive on it, so I don't see how this one would be any different. It's not an exit lane, after all.

[sullyguy]

Though I would consider it a stretch, how about:

Evading Traffic Control Devices

But it's probably just because people run red lights or do "rolling stops" for turns on red...

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by sullyguy

Though I would consider it a stretch, how about:

Evading Traffic Control Devices

I think this has in mind driving through a gas station to avoid a light--which I also do routinely.

[KM_W&M06]

Originally Posted by sullyguy

Though I would consider it a stretch, how about:

Evading Traffic Control Devices

But it's probably just because people run red lights or do "rolling stops" for turns on red...

That's what I originally thought but I think it is technically legal because there are no traffic control devices between Graham Rd and Annandale Rd on 50, just turn lanes to get onto the side streets.

[KM_W&M06]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

I think this has in mind driving through a gas station to avoid a light--which I also do routinely.

I am guilty of this on occasion

Actually I'm more prone to legally take the straight green arrow through an intersection if I miss the short left turn light, legally u-turn on the other side, then make a right onto the road I wished to be on

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by KM_W&M06

I am guilty of this on occasion

Actually I'm more prone to legally take the straight green arrow through an intersection if I miss the short left turn light, legally u-turn on the other side, then make a right onto the road I wished to be on

That's a good move! I just started doing that.

This might make me sound like a crazy driver, but I'm very focused; I never, ever talk on the phone or text while driving.