Description

Capital Beltway, inner loop, Connecticut Ave. exit. There is a long exit lane, which often moves slowly in the morning, due to heavy inbound traffic on Conn. Ave. As the exit lane bears right off the Beltway, it divides into traffic going inbound on Conn Ave. (right side) and traffic going outbound on Conn Ave (left side). Many drivers going outbound do not want to wait in the traffic on the exit lane, so they will "swoop" off the Beltway at the last second, often at high speed, cutting off drivers in the exit lane who have been waiting to go into the left lanes. This usually happens without any kind of signaling (unless they honk) and drivers of all types of vehicles (including, one day, a Metrobus!) are guilty. Very dangerous! Also, once they are in the left lanes, presumably to turn left, some of these drivers will get down to the stoplight at the end of the exit, and instead of turning left, they will (presumably, illegally) attempt to turn right, thus blocking the intersection (if it is not already blocked by the inbound traffic already on Conn. Ave.). This is more than one gripe, I guess, but the truly dangerous maneuver is the last-minute exiting. I have no good ideas to fix this other than perhaps a sign ("no last-minute exit -- fine $200!), but if anything can be done, it would surely be appreciated...this is a bad accident waiting to happen (if it hasn't happened already). Thank you!