Automated Toll Roads Wrecking Bank Accounts, Marriages

Sun Aug 12, 2007 11:21PM EDT

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Whaddaya know? I happened upon two links about the hazards of "E-Z Pass" and other automated toll road systems on the very same day. While I remain an enthusiastic supporter of automated toll paying—I wouldn't dream of trying to cross a San Francisco Bay Area bridge without my transponder, though apparently I'm in a very slim minority, based on the volume of traffic backed up in the "cash" lines—there are some interesting caveats in these two stories that merit some extra consideration for the paranoid and the morally bent.

First is something that all of us can relate to: Overbilling. Many automated tolling systems check when you enter the toll road, then check again when you leave. Travel a short distance and you pay a small fee; travel a long one and you get charged more. That makes sense, but if the sensors don't record you entering the road, you get billed the maximum amount, no matter where you exit. In the case of this Philadelphian, that means she gets charged $5 periodically instead of 75 cents. Several times a month. That adds up. Now this is really a case of poor technology: The sensors at the onramp she takes just don't work well enough, or perhaps she needs a new transponder, but it's also a lesson in consumer vigilance. If the driver didn't read her bill religiously, she wouldn't have noticed the extra charges. What's worse is that the state requires she fill out a (paper) form for each and every erroneous charge in order to get a refund. Boo.

In nearby New Jersey, toll roads created problems of a different (and more serious) type for one driver, who found that the records the tollways kept of his driving could be used against him... in divorce court. You can probably see where this one's going: His wife's lawyer introduced his E-Z Pass records in court. He said he was in Pennsylvania. The state said he was driving around Jersey, obviously to some hussy's love den. States have differing policies about releasing this information to the courts, but of course the spouse can always provide it if he or she has copies of the records or access to the account. Lesson learned: Philanderers should always pay cash. (For the sarcasm-impaired, please note I am not encouraging adultery or "blaming" it on technology.)

Comments on Automated Toll Roads Wrecking Bank Accounts, Marriages

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  • 6 Posted by boogsma97 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    Don't be cheating on your spouse and you have nothing to worry about!

  • 7 Posted by larry_heverley on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have never been overbilled in NY. did have a problem with a transponder, but the toll booth operator took down the number and we were always billed correctly... just had to get a new transponder...

  • 8 Posted by poloikul_faith on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    E-Z Passes don't wreck marriages.... stupid people wreck marriages.

  • 9 Posted by russalky on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    #1: When a person without EZ Pass (or presumably, without their transponder) travels through an EZ Pass lane, cameras snap their license plate for ID. The plate # is then matched to the owner, who is subsequently mailed a bill for the toll AND an EZ Pass - even if they don't have an EZ Pass. This happened to a friend shortly after EZ Pass was first introduced in NY. Being a recent immigrant he didn't have a clue what an EZ Pass was at the time that he went through the lane. That bill was straightened out easily (no, don't want to sign up for EZ Pass, just want to pay the toll). It's possible that the person with the transposed # you entered didn't have an EZ Pass at all, so when they went to match records, they found your erroneous one on file... though I always thought they checked these through the DMV. (Maybe they check their own records first, then the DMV if there's no match internally?)

  • 10 Posted by crfnct on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've been using EZ Pass for a few years now and have not been overcharged. I also have the payment come from a credit card so I can dispute any charges is neccessary. I do wonder if the problem of the transponder getting missed is the technology not working right or if drivers are going through the lane to fast. The posted limit I've seen on most is 15mph but I can assure you VERY few people go that slow through the lane. As with every posted speed limit, there are reasons money and time was invested to put up those signs.

  • 11 Posted by christinementink on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:24PM EDT Report Abuse

    Honestly, I would much rather get accidently overcharged from time to time over sitting in those cash lines! Chicago rush hour is 24 hours a day on 90, and those who insist on paying cash sit in line so so much longer than those with an iPass.

  • 12 Posted by fredekins@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    In Illinois it's use the I-pass or pay double if you want to use cash. This is of course a veiled fine for using legal tender for all debts public and private. Do you know of a store that could stay in business if it charged double amounts for using currency? How can this be legal?

  • 13 Posted by mspenny11 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    In Illinois the toll is double if you pay cash instead of using the iPass. That is why I don't pay cash. Fourtuanately, I am a sporadic user and have had no problems with my iPass or billing. We don't get statements but have to file a credit card with the state and when the balance goes below $10 the state charges $40 to your credit card. I've used iPass for 2 years and still haven't had a second $40 charge to my credit card. The system works for me and am very happy to go through the open road tolling lanes that allow you to keep your speed instead of slowing down to 15 miles an hour for the regular iPass lanes or stopping completely for the cash lanes. I say "Go iPass"!!

  • 14 Posted by christiancentanni on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:24PM EDT Report Abuse

    “Pay cash and hide your infidelity longer.” Wow…nice little piece of “advice”, spanky. EZ Pass didn’t “wreck” the marriage. The cheater did. It’s about time that people be held accountable for what they do.

  • 15 Posted by brianmaginnis on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wait til they perfect the Husband GPS system. Then it's all over!

  • 16 Posted by tinocruiser on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    I was sent a collection notice for a .25 charge from three years ago, which I had paid, and had the statement proving so. EZ Pass refused to budge, so I contacted the Better Business Bureau with my proof of payment and finally EZ Pass "waived the fee as a courtesy". How nice of them... Other than that, I haven't had any problems...

  • 17 Posted by devilsmetsgiants on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wait the old fashioned way? If you walk you would not have to pay tolls. The money saved? Or talking to people on the computer or using a cell phone. I better get back to writing my letters or using a pay phone. They can not use e-z pass for speeding if they did then they would be sending out speeding tickets everyday

  • 18 Posted by sroberts999 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    A class action law suit was brought against the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) in 2002 for charging the maximum amount when an entry/exit was not recorded properly. The plaintiffs eventually won about $6 million, I believe (about $11 per person). But the OTA got the message. Perhaps people in Philadelphia should take notice.

  • 19 Posted by rocknvox on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    southern calif. toll rooads nailed us good. during a short period of bad decisions, my daughter drove a toll road without paying about 36 times to see a love interest. a few months later, she was denied a driver lic. renewal until the back tolls were paid which amounted to $3050.00. after a few phone calls and a meeting with the directer, i argued down to $1000.00 and painfully pulled out my credit card. i think she learned a lesson and i ended up with a transponder. don't mess with technology. i am glad she quit seeing that guy.

  • 20 Posted by diabloengineers on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've had sleazy pass for years and have never been billed incorrectly, and it's always worked as it should. It's absolutely invaluable for road trips to DC and NY, as well as my daily commute to Philly and weekend trips to the shore. love it!! They are even nice when you call them to switch up a credit card or whatever. We take it into my sister's minivan when she does the driving, just like the Florida guy. Not thrilled about big brother aspects, but... I sold out. I still purchase Muslim and anti-war reading materials in cash. don't trust the GOP.

  • 21 Posted by cheldray on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    You know, my family's business has always used the transponders for our travel on the West Virginia Turnpike. I'm going to start checking records and see if we're being overcharged. Thanks! And maybe I should also start tracking my drivers this way.........hmmmmmmm.....

  • 22 Posted by wegmante on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    I recently moved to PA from Ohio (a non EZ Pass state... heck it hardly has any toll roads), and have been considering getting an EZ Pass since I live right off the Turnpike. The thing that bothers me is that (at least here in PA) with EZ Pass you pay ahead for your tolls, i.e., you're essentially banking money with the state (for 0% interest). In PA, you have to forward at least $35. My father said when he lived in MA it was $50. No, it's not a huge amount of interest, but still... seeing that this state recently went into a 1-day government shutdown because they couldn't figure out how to spend a $600+ million SURPLUS, I feel funny trusting them with my cash before I actually use it.

  • 23 Posted by eat_with_sticks on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    How about REMOVING THE TOLLS once the road is paid for! Why would anyone sit at a tool booth when an Ezpass/fastlane is available? All you paranoid liberals idling your hybrids at the tolls are polluting the environment!

  • 24 Posted by ofwoden on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    NJ was also using EZ Pass records to give people speeding tickets. If you entered the thruway in one destination and got to the other too quickly, they'd just mail you a speeding ticket.

  • 25 Posted by elvenlost on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm glad to not live in an area with toll roads.. They sound like a hassle.

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