Schumer Attacks Hidden E-Z Pass Fees
NEW YORK [AP] — U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer says many drivers using the high-speed E-Z Pass lanes on New York highways are getting hit with a hidden fee.
Schumer says that because the high-speed lanes don’t warn a driver when their account is low, as happens in the slower lanes, drivers are being hit with $50 fees for depleting their accounts used to pay tolls.
Schumer is asking the state Thruway Authority to create a text messaging system that can be sent to drivers so they know when their E-Z Pass account is running on empty.
E-Z Pass operates the higher speed lanes at most upstate Thruway tolls and on the New York City bridges.
Yanky
Great, so then NYS can collect more fees by giving tickets to those who get caught checking their text messages … the state troopers just have to stake out the area just past the high speed tolls …
CN
I believe you can only get a ticket for texting if you are pulled over for another infraction, but is is not a primary offense that they can pull you over for.
Yanky
To CN:
Do you think cops will think twice before pulling someone they see using a cell phone at 65 MPH for “reckless driving?” And what if they see someone doing 10 MPH over the limit, as most people do, while using a cell phone? There is then a clear primary violation and they can get you for both speeding and texting. This primary/secondary violation thing is pretty meaningless when you consider cops have a lot of discretion who to pull over and may have ticket quotas to meet.
Detroiter
to CN it should be! texting and driving should never be allowed it is as bad as drinking and driving. to YANKY If it is illegal to talk on your hand held cell phone while driving what makes you think it is ok to text while driving!?