A DCist operative in Northern Virginia snapped this photo of drivers at their wit’s end taking action to bypass backed-up traffic headed north on Interstate 95 between Occoquan and Lorton. Apparently, with no entry to the D.C.-bound HOV express lanes in sight, Sunday drivers decided to conquer the median to cross into the HOV lanes. (For those HOV purists, please note that on the weekends, the HOV lanes are normally always open to single-occupant cars. Here’s some official HOV info from the commonwealth’s Department of Transportation, which would probably frown on such extreme driver actions.)

From our operative:

I thought there was an HOV on ramp ahead but it turned out that it was just a bunch of people going over the median … It was pretty funny seeing anywhere from huge SUVs to a Toyota Camry trying to get on. Even my VW and a mini-van managed to make it up the hill of grass. Some people though encountered some struggle but in the end were successful.

For our readers down Occoquan-way, is this a normal occurrence? One thing’s for sure: There are probably very few people living south of Springfield who enjoy driving I-95. Now who’s up for a trip to Potomac Mills!?! We could totally go for some Wawa subs or purchase a DUNKER or a FRÄCK at Ikea. Another photo of the HOV shenanigans below.