Intro to Slugging

If you're not from the National Capital Region (NCR) (DC, Northern Virginia, or Maryland), it's very likely that you're unfamiliar with the term "slugging" and what it means.

Slugging is an informal carpool system that came about to meet a growing need for folks in the NCR, and evolved from a more 'standard' approach to carpooling.

Here's how slugging came to be:

-Carpooling first became prominent in the United States as a rationing tactic during World War II.  It returned in the mid-1970s due to the 1973 oil crisis and the 1979 energy crisis.
-In 1975, new High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes were introduced to highways in the Washington DC area.
-The new lanes, along with frustration over failures of public-transport systems and high fuel prices, led to the creation of "slugging." 

Slugging is not a government sponsored commuter program - instead it was created by local citizens looking to solve commuting problems. 

Who is involved:

Drivers - they're the people driving the car (obviously) who need additional riders to get onto the HOV lanes.
Slugs - they're the people waiting in line at a designated slug line location looking for a ride to their destination.

How slugging works:

-Cars that need additional riders to use the HOV lanes pull up to a designated slug line (which are located throughout the NCR).
-The driver pulls up to the slug line and either displays a sign with their destination, or rolls down the passenger window to announce their destination (Pentagon, Crystal City, 14th & D Street, etc.).
-The slugs fill cars according to their spot in line, so, the first person in the line going to the Pentagon will take the ride, and off they go!

The concept of slugging is very simple, but like most other things, it's not without it's rules.  The rules are unwritten and can be changed at the discretion of the driver.

Rules of Slugging:

-Drivers are not to pick up slugs en route to or standing outside the line, which is known as body snatching.
-A woman should not be left alone in line, for her safety.
-No eating, smoking, or putting on make-up.
-The driver has full control of the radio and temperature controls.
-No open windows unless the driver approves.
-No money is exchanged or requested (both the driver and slugs already benefit from the 'transaction').

One thing to keep in mind, the slug only serves the purpose of getting the driver onto the HOV lanes and to their destination quicker.

Slugging might seem "sketchy" or "weird" to some folks, but in the over 30 years that it has been around there has not been a single incident.  Also, as a slug myself, I can say that there are definite benefits to slugging, such as:

Benefits of Slugging:

-Shorter commute (because of the HOV lanes)
-Personal time (to read the paper, take a nap, etc.)
-And, best of all, it's 100% free!


So, next time you hear about slugging, you'll know what it is and how it might benefit you!